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Legends and Lore

Maude McLaurin Harpole portrayed by Suzan Corwin
Legends and Lore Maude McLaurin Harpole
Legends and Lore Susan Corwin

Maude McLaurin was only 6 years old the day she had to step up and become the little heroine that she is known for today. It an interview with the San Antonio Evening News, May 25, 1924, she states, “My father left home the morning of April 19 to go to what was then called “The Ditch” (now Rio Frio) where there was a general store, for supplies and medicine. After noon, my mother took my two little brothers and me with her to the garden to oversee some planting that she wanted done. After a while, she heard a noise at the house….” After the chaos, and Allen Lease being sent to the house and being attacked, and then her mother Kate also shot, Maude ran south along the river for help.

Because of the Lipan Apache woman with the raiders, the children lived.

Maude and her brothers and older sister, who was boarding in Leakey, grew to adulthood.

Maude was born February, 6, 1875, in Caldwell, Texas, to John Robert Melvin McLaurin and Amelia Catherine Ringer McLaurin. From Caldwell, the family moved to the Frio Canyon. Maude married Charles Moreland Harpole and became the mother of 4 children. Maude passed away at the age of 86 and is buried in San Antonio, Texas.

The story of her bravery is still talked about today.

The role of Maude McLaurin was portrayed on the float by Suzan Corwin. Suzan was a perfect pick for the role! For one, she was the perfect age and size of Maude on that day in April of 1881. She was also perfect because she stepped up with a bunch of strangers, got on the float, and participated! We were so proud of her!

Suzan said that she enjoyed the float, seeing it all decorated and everyone in costumes. She really enjoyed her own costume, which was exactly what a little pioneer girl would have worn in 1881. She especially liked the headscarf and the apron. But her favorite part was hearing the excited people along the parade route, as they cheered when the float went by. She is also ready to do it all again but hopes it will be cooler.