In 1860, Malcolm moved his family into Coleman County.  He settled his family on the Jim Ned Creek, just south of Camp Colorado and in the fall of 1860 he and his sons hewed trees of oak and pecan, and built a sturdy house.  Spring, 1861 found Malcolm clearing land and planting corn, which was sold to the government at Camp Colorado.  Malcolm Hunter’s leadership abilities in civic affairs, was evidenced within the year after arriving in Coleman County.  General Smith delivered his men and supplies to Federal headquarters in San Antonio, and, the facilities at Camp Colorado were left to the County.  A militia was organized with Captain Ike Mullins serving as Company Commander.  The CSA government furnished the men with equipment, which was kept at the Hunter home.  These men served as a home guard for many years.  Malcolm’s sons were members of this group.  Through the influence and efforts of Malcolm Hunter, Coleman County was organized when he made the 165 mile trip to Austin by horseback.  He was elected County Judge following the tentative organization meeting held at Camp Colorado, June 1866.

Second only to man’s inherent desire to possess land, is the quest for the riches of gold, and Malcolm’s last adventure was such.  In January 1867, Jacob “Jake” Snively (who had served Texas Presidents Houston and Lamar as staff officer), camped on the Jim Ned Creek area near the Hunter home.  With him were Colonel William C. Dalrymple, ex-Ranger and former soldier, and Moses Bradley Carson, older brother of Kit Carson.  Jake Snively had held a dying soldier whose last words were of gold in the Eagle Mountains, some 100 miles from El Paso.  Snively thought it would require as many as 40 fighting men to claim it from the frightful Apaches.  Dalrymple said he could do it with ten picked men.  Leading the roster was Moses Carson, and, there on the Jim Ned Creek, Dalrymple selected nine others, “Each a crack marksman and seasoned frontiersman; Malcolm Hunter, and sons Warren and Abe” headed the list.  Snively promised each man an equal share of the find.  They left Coleman County with a train of 12 pack animals, February 3rd, using the old Butterfield Overland Stage trail, camping that night on Kiowa Creek.  The next morning 200 mounted Comanche and Kiowa warriors, began their advance on the gold seekers, who drew their pistols and firing, charged through the attacking Indians.  In the run for the ravine Malcolm was knocked from his horse with a lance in the back.  Warren borrowed Snively’s famous gray mount “Charlie” and dashed through the attacking horde for his father.  When he returned he had more than a dozen bullet holes in his clothing, and one round hit him in the hip.  As was their way, at sunset the Indians withdrew. Traveling at night, with the seriously injured Malcolm, and Dalrymple, on Warren’s pony, the only beast the Indians did not kill or take, they returned to Coleman County.  Malcolm recovered, but was never again well.

Malcolm Hunter died January 10, 1872, buried on Hunter land, at Mud Creek Cemetery, with other members of his family: his wife, Nancy, born in 1815; daughters, Lucinda Willis, February 6, 1843 - March 27, 1865 and Nancy Rushing, March 8, 1835 - May 20, 1866; daughter-in-law, George Ann (Wilmore) 1853 - 1883, wife of son James Warren Hunter; sons-in-law, A. J. Willis, 1836 - 1892 and Isaac N. Blackwell, October 21, 1841 - January 11, 1883; grandchildren, Martha Blackwell, who died February 17, 1884, age 1 year, 6 months, 4 days, daughter of Louisa E. and Isaac Blackwell; Martha Hunter, November 27, 1871 - March 3, 1872, daughter of James Warren and George Ann Hunter; James Malcolm, June 11, 1867 - November 13, 1867; Magdalena, December 12, 1872 - May 6, 1882; Pinkie, October 6, 1880 – 1882; Felix Simes, October 20, 1882 - February 17, 1887, the children of Henderson Haywood and Eliza Hunter (see Clay M. Mann); Nancy Lucinda and Salena, daughters of. William W. and Louisa Fiveash Hunter; great-grandchildren, Horace Eugene Hunter, July 30, 1899 - March 25, 1901, son of Enoch and Etna Adams Hunter; Infant of Burton and Effie Hunter Howington, December 3, 1901 - December 6, 1901.