Kranks were alleged maneaters. De Vaca records that while several of his party were prisoners of that tribe, they appeared appalled when they discovered several of the Spanish prisoners had eaten a portion of a dead Spaniard. While they have always been touted as being cannibals, It’s been difficult to tie down any primary documetation unlike the case of the Tonkawas. Appear most is second or third hand info simply passed from one person to another. If they were indeed cannibalistic, chances were it was tied into some religiously significant custom, as these guys really lived in the breadbasket area of Texas. Having both the Gulf, estuaries, coastal plains, etc teeming with fish, fowl, and game. They had plenty to eat, which probably reflected in their appearance. Smithwick states they were tall and healthy, all the men topping the 6 foot mark. (Many coastal archaeological sites contain remains of the long extinct carribean seal!)
Austin’s colony had some serious run ins with the Kranks. And The first recorded incident of the San Felipe militia being mustered for service was in response to Krank attacks. (1825). Note! Jared Groce showed up with all his male slaves "well armed and mounted" for this muster. I can’t remember their number but it exceeded 40’armed slaves. In a personal conversation this past year with the historical director at San Felipe, he stated that the slaves were armed with firearms and not just cane knives.
Their sister group the Attakapas from SE Louisiana and the portion of Texas adjoining it were also accused of the crime. Their name is a Muskoegean phrase Hatak Upa. Attak (Hatak) = Man. Apa (Upa) = food or the act of eating.
This appears to be a common practice among several groups to brand their enemies as cannibals in order to demonize and dehuman them to some degree.
Most of the group had either been assimilated into the existing Mestizo community or other tribes, killed, or run into Mexico by the end of the Texas Revolution.
Last edited by kaywoodie; 06/30/20.
