Defending a Homeland
The Lone Star State was home to hundreds of Native American Indians. The Apache dominated most of West Texas, and there were two groups among them – the Lipan and the Mescalero – that were hugely important to the growth of Texas.
Apaches were among the first to learn to ride horses, and their lifestyle was shaped around the hunting and following of buffalo. Farming was begun, as Apache chose to grow crops that included everything, from maize and beans, to pumpkins and watermelons. In the 1700’s…the Native Americans worked to make sure that Texas land would remain under their care.
When the Spanish were in charge, the first raids began. The Apache actually staged many raids against the Spanish missions, attempting to stop them from invading and colonizing the Texas territory. But the Apache rule was cut short. The raids against neighboring tribes created enemies and soon a new powerhorse, the Comanche, entered the scene from the north and gained in strength as the Apaches became less and less a force. The Comanche was the all-powerful enemy of the Spanish, as well as other tribes, and their goal was to win.
Comanche aggression will always be part of the history books. When a treaty was signed and promises were made, Comanche raids grew far stronger when Spain reneged on their vows – starting wars that were both harsh and bloody. Soon the win of the Texas Revolution brought white settlers into the mix; a new ‘visitor’ that would end up to be just as strong of a defender of Texas as the tribes had been before them. Great warriors, the Comanche were renowned as being masters of battle: from riding to the bow to single-shot firearms, they continued to prove their point that they would defend or die. One of the most historical incidents came in the form of the “Great Raid of 1840”, where the Comanche took the towns of Victoria and Linnville. Unfortunately for them, they also alerted President Sam Houston of the havoc being raged.
Captain John Coffee Hays was hired to recruit…recruit the team who would, from then on out, be the strength, pride, courage, and all out defenders of the Lone Star State. As the old saying goes: “One Riot – One Ranger,” The rest is history!