MORE ON CAPTAIN BULLIS, #3

(This is the final entry of the document first posted September 27.)

Mr. Bullis at once returned to his home but soon after entered the regular army and was appointed a lieutenant. For twenty years he has now rendered the country valuable service on the frontier. For nine years he had command of the Indian scouts on the Texas frontier, and was the Government agent for the apaches for four years. His fearless and commendable service among the savage warriors won recognition in the United States Congress, which twice breveted him for his splendid work. The people of Texas who more fully appreciate what he has done for them, presented him with two beautiful swords, one of them ornamented with scenes and designs commemorative of his achievements. The designs are wrought in gold and the sword cost $1000. The captain prized it still more highly because the poor people whom he had protected and whose homes he had made safe were the contributers to the gift fund, giving of their meager possessions as evidence of the gratitude and love which they had for the Captain. On the sword are two inscriptions one reading “He has protected our lives and homes” another “He has driven the desperado from our territory”. In speaking of his gift the Captain modestly said “I did nothing but my duty”, but it was a duty heroicly and nobly performed, nay it was more, for on the frontier as he entered into combat with the treacherous savage he did not think I am doing my duty but was prompted to his noble deeds by the thought that he must save the lives and homes of his fellow men.

         Captain Bullis has accumulated some property, owning interests in mines in Texas and Arizona, some of which are now being operated. He has a very pleasant home in Santa Fe, where he makes his head quarters in the midst of his family. He was married in San Antonio, Texas, in 1872, to Miss Alice Rodregnez, but death claimed her on the 14^th of August, 1887. On the 14^th of October, 1891, he led to the marriage altar Miss Josephine Withers of San Antonio, and this union has been blessed with three lovely little daughters – Lydia C. and Anita W., twins, and the baby, Octavia M. The Captain makes friends wherever he goes for he is as man of genial, kindly disposition, whose genuine worth is easily recognized and who is in the truest sense of the word a gentleman. In politics he is a republican, and in his social relations is a Mason.