Historical Sketch
To give a "History of Waco" in the space allotted were impossible; a fleeting glimpse of its varied periods of growth from the view-point of a native, who has had the stories from the lips of those who helped to make it, isall that shall be attempted.
To do this let us divide the time into five periods, beginning with the earliest, which, of course, is largely tradition, but which oft told tale has been handed down from the "oldest inhabitant."
First — The Indian village.
Second — The White Settlers Village, or "Pioneer Period."
Third — The Growing Country Town.
Fourth — The Progressive Little City.
Fifth — Greater Waco; A Glimpse into the Future.
THE INDIAN VILLAGE.
The Tribe of Indians known as the "Wacos" are believed to have been a branch or off-shoot from the larger tribe of the Tawakcni, those fierce natives whose deed form such lurid scenes upon the canvas of Texas history. The word "Waco" being the name given by the Spaniards to this branch, the original spelling being "Hueco." The early white settlers very sensibly gave the anglisized spelling of "W-A-C-O," which is after all nearer the tribal name. They knew well how to talk with the Spaniards in the language of the carbine and the rapier, but it is doubtful if they were so familiar with the Spanish orthography. In any case, we are thankful for the simple spelling.
The "Wacos" were petty farmers, which for that time meant simply that they planted small grain and some fruit trees, the products of their daily use, and to exchange for tobacco and other things dear to their hearts. Blot out from your vision the thought of streets and houses, and all marks of civilization. A fair country, densely wooded to the east and south, and possibly for a few miles to the west, for the "Wacos" chose the choice spot in all the land — the forest for bear, deer and turkey and all the wild things that seek its shelter; and the boundless prairie that they might see an enemy afar off, make use of its wild horses, bring down the fleet antelope and pursue the mighty monarch of the plain — the buffalo.
Let us stand for a moment on the banks of the Brazos at what is now the suspension bridge. This was the site of the Indian wigwams, for here was the "Big Spring," for which it is said they had a superstitious veneration, (also for the Brazos river), believing so long as they drank of its waters "that their tribe would flourish and not become extinct." Close to this village the "Wacos" built rude fortifications in which to intrench themselves when attacked by other tribes and to make the
