INDIAN SCARE

This was an incident as related by G. C. Hutchison who was 14 at the time of the Indian Scare. His father, W. B. Hutchison, was surveyor for Swisher County. He said a drunken stage-driver was responsible for the rumor in the year of 1890.

Citizens of the surrounding area hurried to Tulia when the rumor was spread that Indians were on the warpath, butchering all settlers and destroying their homes and they were headed toward Tulia. The story grew as it was repeated and riders were dispatched to every settler's home telling them to rush into Tulia with their families and to bring their guns. Trenches were dug around the courthouse and the White Hotel, then practically the only building in the city. Posts, hauled by settlers from the Palo Duro and Tule canyons were used for additional fortifications.

After two nights and a day the excitement began to die down. The story was traced back to its original teller and the settlers departed for their homes.

The stage-driver never returned to Tulia
perhaps it was best that he did not.

Source: TULIA HERALD, July 11,1940