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In the death of Isaac Cloud here last week, Oklahoma has lost one of her pioneers who in the early days of the country figured in many of the Indian battles in the territory of the Chickasaw Nation, and many a time his life has been saved from the tomahawk of an Indian by only the smallest margin.
He settled in the Indian territory in 1866 at Erin Springs and at this point established the first cow ranch ever in this section of the country. His ranch house was the first sign of civilization erected on the Washita River between Smith Pauls' farm which is now Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, and Fort Cobb.
One of the men who worked with Colonel Cloud and helped him build his ranch house was Florence J. Hall of El Paso, Texas, who a few years ago was sheriff of that county. During the first year of his residence at this ranch Colonel Cloud met General William D. Hazen of the United States army who was at that time located at Fort Cobb. Through his acquaintance with General Hazen, Cloud obtained his first contract to supply beef to the Indians and many other contracts as well to furnish beef to the Comanche and Kiowa Indians for it was at this time that the government officials had charge of the Indian rations.
This was the time, too, where the buffaloes ranged over the prairies at will, Indian fights, cattle stampedes and roundups were the order of the day and men would live for months without ever seeing a woman. Money was made easily and lost just as easily, and life was simply a series of harassing experiences. Forty-four years ago Colonel Cloud came near losing his life in a skirmish with a band of savage Comanche and Kiowa warriors. Six white men, Colonel Cloud, Captain Jack Hart, Zach Calloway, Charles Purcell, Pete Hester and Cluxton were riding along the old Fort Sill trail between the Whalet and Cloud ranches when they were attacked by a band of 35 warriors. Just as they were crossing the divide near Beaver Creek, one of the men was killed and one was wounded.
In telling the story of the skirmish Colonel Cloud said: "We dismounted on the prairie when we saw the band of savages charging upon us, knowing full well that if we scattered they would run us down separately and scalp each man. After dismounting we held our by the bridle reins, formed a semi-circle and prepared for battle. During the conflict we were often standing with our backs together shooting in every direction but we stood our ground. One of the men was killed but all the horses escaped injury. The fire arms of the white men put the savages to flight and saved our lives. The saddle horse which belonged to Purcell got away and part of the Indians gave chase to it, so dividing their forces that the white men were better able to protect themselves. Purcell was the man killed and Captain Jack Hart was severely wounded in the leg.
In those days it was customary to bury a man just where he was killed and the bed of the wagon would serve as a coffin for the corpse. This was the case with Purcell. He was buried without ceremony after we had driven the Indians away and then we proceeded on our way as before."
Captain Jack Hart was one of Colonel Cloud's closest associates in these early days and at one time he saved Cloud's life for him. The two were being chased by a band of Kiowa warriors when Cloud's horse slipped and fell, throwing his rider to the ground. The Indians were just behind and one had just raised his tomahawk to scalp Cloud when a bullet from Captain Hart's revolver killed him and frightened the others off until Cloud had time to get on the horse again. Captain Hart was a government scout for the raising of grain for distribution among the Indians.
Colonel Cloud was born in Jackson County, Alabama, 1847 and spent practically all of his life in the Indian country which is now Oklahoma. He was married in 1869 in Gainesville, Texas, to Miss Lockey Davidson, who died in 1901. For the past few years Colonel Cloud has made his home in Chickasha with his daughter, Mrs. F. Riddle.
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