Researching the Story of the 1860 Indian Raid Near McGough Springs

WHERE MRS. LUCINDA WOOD AND LIDDIE LEMLEY WERE KILLED In addition to killing Mrs. Wood and the Lemley girl, two other Lemley daughters were captured by the Indians and later released. Mr. John Lemley moved his family back to Palo Pinto County. Earlier they had been among the first settlers of Jack County, but had lived in Parker County too. The Lemleys came from Illinois. Mrs. Lucinda Wood and Liddie Lemley are buried in the West End Cemetery near the present city of Stephenville, Texas. Larry Lemley lives in Hico, Texas, near Iredell and is 67 years old. James Ed Wolfe died at 80 years of age in Stephenville; his second wife was Kristy Lemley and they married in Strawn, Texas.

A second version of the Wood and Lemley Massacre by Indians near McGough Springs near the SE corner of Eastland County was printed in a book The West Texas Frontier by Barbara Belding Gibson. She gives the details that the above mentioned massacre was along Rush Creek and occurred in February of 1860; it occurred 3 miles from the Lemley house which was close to Lingleville. The Indians divided into two groups—those headed toward Belknap got away, but the rangers took up the other trail which led to a point 20 miles north of Cisco. To the frustration of all the Indians were able to escape back to their reservation.

A third version of the incident was printed in J. W. Wilbarger's book, the Indian Depredations of Texas, where he states that Mrs. Woods and Liddie Lemley were massacred in January of 1861. Notice that in these various accounts sometimes Lucinda Wood is called Lucinda Woods. (Credit should be given to Michael Trevis, the University of Edinburgh, for his posts on the Internet)