John Leakey Escapes Lipan Indians By Jumping Over A Ledge

In 1856 John and Nancy Leakey were visiting Mr. & Mrs. Anglin in Sabinal Canyon. While they were there, a woman woke the family and told them that there were Indians in the yard. Mr. Leakey went into the yard, but he could not see anyone. The Indians started shooting arrows at Mr. Leakey. None of them hit their target. Now Mr. Leakey knew where the Indians were hiding. He started firing his pistol in that general area until he was out of ammunition. Mr. Leakey stood guard the remainder of the night.

When morning came Mr. Leakey noticed a trail of blood. He went to round up some other settlers to go after the Indians, four joined him. Mrs. Anglin prepared some food for the men to take with them. The group was prepared for a long trail.

The trail Mr. Leakey found led into the mountains about two miles from the house. It was not easy going up the mountain. The group was tired when they reached the top. The Indians were waiting at the top of the mountains. As one of the men reached the top of the Indians got ready to shoot their arrows. That man drew his weapon and started firing, yelling for Mr. Leakey to do the same. The rest of the group fired and called for the men to run.

Mr. Leakey however, tried to fight off the Indians. He couldn’t fire the borrowed rifle he was using. He drew his own pistol and fired. While fighting the Indians, Mr. Leakey was wounded repeatedly. When his pistol would no longer fire, he jumped over a ledge. Rolling down the side of the ledge he tried to grab at something to hold onto. He finally caught a small cedar tree. This slowed him enough to settle on a ledge. Mr. Leakey sustained many wounds on the way down the ledge. As he lay there, exhausted, he heard the Indians above him.

The Indians, thinking Mr. Leakey was dead, descended the side of the ledge. Mr. Leakey was ready when they reached him. He had reloaded and ran at them with the pistol aimed and ready. The two men fled. The men at the top of the mountain debated killing the Indian that stayed at the top. They decided not to kill him, fearing if they did the others would scalp Mr. Leakey. The men could hear Mr. Leakey on the ledge cursing at the Indians.

(Texas Indian Fighters of Southwest Texas)
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