Josiah Wilbarger was one of the earliest Anglo settlers of Texas. He also settled way outside the safe boundaries of the frontier. He chose a league of land in the hostile territory of the Comancheria, near present-day Bastrop. He eventually gained a neighbor in Reuben Hornsby but things were still very, very dangerous. One day he and others were attacked by Comanches. Josiah took a musket ball to the neck and was paralyzed. Unable to move or speak, but still conscious, he felt himself being scalped by an Indian. Still alive, he dragged himself to a tree where he had a vision that saved his life. But was it a vision, or a visit from the spirit world? Learn more of this ghostly tale in the latest episode of Wise About Texas.
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4 comments on “EP 44: Josiah’s Vision”
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Great lesson Ken! Love the music you chose in the background!
Ken-
Just learned one of my brother in laws is the great, great, great grandson of Thomas Christian, who was scalped and killed at the Walberger scalping. I shared the episode with my BIL (brother in law).
Keep em coming! Really enjoy listening to them.
Happy Holidays!
Clay
Justice Wise,
I recently discovered your podcast and have enjoyed several episodes and look forward to listening to all of them. I just finished listening to Episode 44 and would like to add a bit to the story.
The Standifer in the story was James Williamson Standifer, (or Standefer-both spellings were used) 1810-1892. He was born in Illinois, but after his father died, his mother and brothers returned to north Alabama [near Georgia] where her family lived, and in 1829 moved to Texas with family and friends and both he and his mother, Elizabeth James Standifer are listed on Austin’s “Register of Families”. They settled northwest of Bastrop near the Colorado River. His two brothers, William Bailey, 1815-1876 and Jacob L., 1818-1901 were both at the Battle of San Jacinto, serving as privates along with George B. Erath,in Company C, General Ed Burleson’s regiment under Captain Jessee Billingsley–I believe they may have been known as the Mina Volunteers? They were also present at the battle of Salado Creek.
James is buried in Elgin.
Mrs Sarah Texanna Standefer, was the widow of Richard V. Standefer, one of James Williamson Standefer’s sons. Her mother was Nancy R. Christian who was the daughter of Thomas Christian who was killed by the Indians at the time Wilbarger was scalped.
There were many other Standefers’ who came to Texas in the early days and served in County governments, Texas Rangers and US and Confederate military. For example, my GGG grandfather, Isaac, served under George Erath in the Rangers and his son, Luke Price, also a Ranger, helped survey Meridian with George Erath.
Maybe I can share some stories with you one day.
Meanwhile, I am enjoying hearing you bring some of the many other stories of Texas to life.
I hope to attend the Battle of San Jacinto reenactment next week–perhaps I’ll see you there.
Thanks very much for this history! Thanks for listening.