From about 1750 to 1875, Big Spring was an oasis for Comanche war parties, where paths from the northeast, north, and northwest joined the War Trail leading to San Antonio, other Texas points, and into Mexico. At Big Spring, parties from as far away as the Arkansas Valley could rest their horses, and on return trips northward their weary captives might find water, rest, and possibly food. The Comanches harassed settlements by robbing and burning stores, mills, farms, and ranches, killing men, and capturing women and children for ransom, slavery, or adoption into the tribe. The War Trail was well marked because warriors took numerous pack and riding horses, hordes of dogs, and their women and children on these long expeditions to wait upon the men and assist in the looting. During the Civil War years, 1861-1865, Indians had much freedom to invade Texas, and by 1866 they were selling to New Mexico traders thousands of cattle stolen from Texas ranchmen. Most of the Comanches were put on reservations in 1875, and afterward their old trails were used by white settlers and by hunting parties on special leave. In 1881, a hunting party attacked builders on the T. & P. Railroad working near here.