On Wednesday, March 19, members of the Seminole Indian Scouts Cemetery Association (SISCA) had the pleasure of listening to Tom Ashmore, president of the West Texas Archeological Society, give a presentation about his work.
Mr. Ashmore gave a presentation of the three-year archeological project of Camp Meyers Spring, located 100 miles northwest of Fort Clark. Throughout its occupation, this sub post of Fort Clark was home at different times to an infantry company, multiple cavalry companies, and the Black Seminole Indian Scout detachment. The archeological field work has covered an incredible 200 acres, breaking down the camps in detail and revealing daily life in this harsh environment.
Originally the scope of the project encompassed just five acres. It has now grown to over 200 acres. Lt. John L. Bullis first purchased the land in 1877 from a railroad company. It was originally called Painted Rock Springs. Mr. Ashmore believes (and proved) that the name Camp Meyers Springs may have come from the Seminole Negro Indian Scouts who may have called the springs “mejor,” the Spanish word for “best.” And eventually “mejor” became “Meyers.”
During his archeological excursions, Mr. Ashmore and his team have found bullets, buttons, broken china, and nails. The most interesting find was a can of baking powder that a soldier might have swiped, thinking he would take it back to Fort Clark, but it seems that he may have forgotten it, thus leaving it for history to find.
The scouts were officially stationed at Camp Meyers Spring from 1881 to 1884. While they were stationed there, they were allowed to pitch their tents in a traditional Native American formation. Instead of the straight lines that the other soldiers had to adhere to, the Seminole Negro Indian Scouts were allowed to pitch their tents in a semi-circle. The highest-ranking officer was always placed in the middle of the circle. Each subsequent row behind this officer was a lower-rank, until it got to the privates. While they were stationed at Camp Meyers Spring, the Seminole Negro Indian Scouts helped the Tonkawa Scouts improve their tracking skills. The Tonkawa Scouts came from Ft. Griffin and were allowed to build teepees.
The Seminole Negro Indian Scouts were excellent hunters. One scout killed five deer in one day. Some Scouts were also allowed to help build a water tank while they were stationed at Camp Meyers Spring.
While their time at Camp Meyers Spring was short, through his archeological research, Mr. Ashmore has proven that their time was significant. Their short stay yielded a lot of important information that has helped to paint a picture of what daily life was like for the Scouts.
Mr. Ashmore first gave a presentation about his work at Camp Meyers Spring at our 2022 Seminole Days. He’s returned to give us an update each year since then. Each presentation has been interesting and intriguing, and we are certainly looking forward to his presentation at our 2025 Seminole Days, September 19-21.
For more information about the West Texas Archeological Society, please visit westtexasarcheologicalsociety.website/. And Mr. Ashmore’s presentation can be found on SISCA Brackettville, our YouTube channel.
