David K. Stone (American, 1922 – 2001) “Wagon Train under Attack” Signed lower left. Original Oil painting on Canvas.
Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation.
This painting originally appeared in the Fleetwood Trails West Collection of Fine Art Prints as “Western Romance” published in 1983.
On May 17, 1871, a government contractor’s wagon train slowly rolled across the dry peaceful desert plains near Salt Creek, Texas … about twenty-two miles from the military forces of Fort Richardson. Suddenly, the peacefulness of the day was shattered when the small wagon train found itself under attack by a savage band of Kiowa and Comanche renegade Indians, led by the fierce Indian warriors Satanta, Satank, Big Tree and Eagle Heart. The small wagon train fought fiercely to fend off the attacking Indians, but it was all in vain. When the dust settled, a grisly scene of blood and smoke was all that remained of the wagon train and its passengers. One wagonmaster and six teamsters were brutally killed … one of these being tied to his wagon wheel, viciously scalped, and then burned to death by the renegades. However, one fortunate member of the party was only wounded through the foot, and was barely able to escape the marauding savages. He quickly rode to the nearby settlement of Jacksboro where he reported the nightmare-like affair to the United States Army. Under the direction of General Sherman, the military apprehended the leaders of the renegade Indians and stopped the savage attacks.
Overall Size: 18 x 21 in.