From the De Leon Free Press-June 28, 1929--C.R. Carruth Tells of Buffalo Hunt Near Abilene in Early 70’s And Talks of Indian Raids.
“...It was on this trip (to hunt buffalo) that a snow fell on the party immediately after they started west. Ples Millican, a member of the party, borrowed John Ham’s pony to go down below Cottonwood Springs, to see a friend, later rejoining the party up toward Baird. Millican discovered where an Indian trail in the snow had crossed the trail of the hunters. Although the trail was known to be fresh, still they did not see the Indians. Later it was learned that this band of Indians went down in the country toward Sipe Springs and got under a shelf of rock along the creek, until the snow had melted. They were evidently lost from their party, perhaps a dozen of them, and knew they could be too easily tracked in the snow. After the snow had melted they started out toward the Palo Pinto mountains. It was while on this trip through the sparsely settled country that they come upon Bob Leslie, between (the future town of) De Leon and Comanche and shot him in the head. Uncle Charlie said Leslie was only wounded and he lay a day and night, in winter weather, before he was found and carried to his home. He died the following night from his wound and from exposure.” More information gathered from various sources--
In the 1870 Comanche County, TX census, Robert Lesley's household listed nine people. In the 1880 census, there were no Lesleys listed. It is reported on a site with Keith family genealogical information that Robert's widow, Louisa Adeline Lesley, was remarried to Robert Lesley's friend, widower William Harrison "Big Bill" Keith in Erath County, TX and that she died on unknown date. Louisa Adeline Lesley's name is often spelled as "Adaline", so the correct spelling is undetermined and her gravesite is unknown, but likely in the Old Dublin Cemetery.
It has been reported that Robert Lesley "formerly" owned a mill somewhere along Duncan creek.
Robert Lesley served in the Mexican War and later in the Civil War as a sergeant in Company G of the 30th Texas Cavalry, as did a Pvt. Henry Scott, who is also buried in Zion Hill cemetery. A marker in the cemetery honors the Civil War veterans buried there.
It is believed that Robert Lesley was the first interment at Zion Hill cemetery.
