Book written in the 1800s about White settlement of Texas?

The author claimed that in order to induce White settlers to move to Texas, financial interests in the US had deliberately underestimated the threat of Comanche attack, and that the death toll from Comanche raids was actually far higher than admitted at the time. The book supposedly caused quite a scandal when it came out.

I saw this book at a store many years ago, read a few pages, and then passed on it. I've been kicking myself ever since. I did not take note of either the title or the author so I could never find it again. Does ANYBODY recognize this description?

2013-01-08T16:02:27Z

eldots53: The book I'm seeking was written about the 1800s, IN the 1800's. I saw it in a used bookstore in the Boston area ten to fifteen years ago. Thank you for the idea about the Daughters of the Republic of Texas. They sound like the ultimate go-to people for a question in this area.

2013-01-08T16:24:12Z

Paul: I appreciate your input; those were useful suggestions, especially "Indian Depredations in Texas". I looked up IDT on Amazon, and studied it, but I don't think it's it. IDT is simply too big to have been the title I saw, and there's no mention (at least on Amazon) of a condensed version having been published. Also, the book I saw was an overall analysis, not a compilation of primary sources.
The Nieghbours title is definitely not it since the book I'm seeking was focused on the White settlers, not their Amerind opponents.
I read "Comanches, History of a People" by Fehrenbach many years ago and it is a great book.

2013-01-11T15:55:51Z

Okay, this has been up four days as of today (Friday, 1-11-2013), and it's unlikely to get anymore replies, so I'm closing it. Normally I don't put questions up for vote, but since both answers were useful (to roughly the same degree), I'm going to leave it up to you. Whoever wants Best Answer can have it...

?2013-01-08T07:27:19Z

Favorite Answer

The one that seems to fit the picture is "Indian Depredations in Texas" by J W Willbarger pub 1889

Maybe also " The Nauni or Commanches of Texas" by Robert S Nieghbours pub 1853.

For two modern books on the subject try "Commanches, History of a People" by T R Fehrenbach1974, and "Empire of the Summer Moon" by S C Gwynne pub 2010.

eldots532013-01-07T19:59:21Z

Written **in** the 1800's, or *about* the 1800's? Was this an antiquarian bookstore?

You might want to check with Texas historical sources if it is really an old book. Try Daughters of the Republic of Texas historical research library. Odds are that they'd be aware of it. That's the most helpful suggestion I can muster. Good luck in your search.