Texas Historical Marker #12505
Henry Davis Pearce. (June 4, 1845 - December 8, 1911) Born in Illinois. Came to Texas 1856. Joined Confederate army in New Orleans, 1861; fought in Siege of Vicksburg (1863), in Battle of Mansfield (1864), and at Pleasant Hill, La., where he was captured. Exchanged at Blair's Landing, he served to end of war. He wrote history of Confederate veterans. Married Sarah Elizabeth Pride. Had eight children. Pioneered and helped organize Runnels County. He moved to Robert Lee, Coke County, in 1906. Recorded - 1970 #12505
?, Robert Lee, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #04983
Southern Overland Mail, 1858-1861. Passed near this site, providing for the first time combined passenger and mail service between Pacific and Atlantic coasts. Operating west from St. Louis and Memphis, John Butterfield's company used 1,350 horses and mules and 90 Concord coaches and wagons. Stage traveled at a run, despite lack of good roads. A signal given approaching a station would have fresh horses ready and food on the table for crew and passengers. Route had stations 12 to 113 miles apart, and was sometimes changed to get water. Crew and passengers wore guns; to reduce danger of Indian attacks, mules (less coveted than horses) were used west of Ft. Belknap. The trip one way took 25 days -- seven spent crossing Texas, from Preston (now under Lake Texoma) to Jacksboro, Ft. Belknap, Ft. Chadbourne and El Paso. One way fare for the 2,700 miles was $200. Passengers rarely stopped off, because they might not find seats on a later stage. Merchants in Jacksboro and other towns used Butterfield's light freight service to make mail-order sales. Greatest contribution of the overland stage was its carrying news; coaches also brought mail from the west one to 10 days faster than it came by ship. Service was ended in 1861 by the Civil War. (1966) Incise on base: Early Travel, Communication and Transportation Series erected by Moody Foundation, 1966. #4983
?, Robert Lee, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #04671
Shelving Rock. Archeological findings at an overhanging rock ledge on Walnut Creek show that the spot, midway between the Colorado and North Concho Rivers, was for hundreds of years campsite or village of nomadic Indians who sought the shelter, running water, wood, and high lookout point above ledge. After 1850, campsite was used in turn by Fort Chadbourne and Fort Concho scouts, surveyors, and line riders of area ranches. There rangers, state militia, and a posse of settlers hunting horses and Indians rendezvoused a few nights prior to disastrous battle of Dove Creek, Jan. 8, 1865. (1972) #4671
?, Robert Lee, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #04558
Sanco. Sanco (originally located 1 mile east) On site of prehistoric Indian camps; in area where in 1850's Fort Chadbourne soldiers often skirmished with Indians. One of the first settlements and second pioneer post office (established 1888) in county. Named for the Comanche Chief Sanaco, who with Chief Yellow Wolf had regularly camped here. Yellow Wolf, killed in a fight with Lipans, is buried nearby. In 1907, new site was surveyed; town relocated here on Yellow Wolf Creek. School, post office, store, blacksmith shop moved to this new site, where Methodist church was already located. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1966. #4558
?, Robert Lee, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #04300
Robert Lee Cemetery. Established in 1891, two years after the founding of the city of Robert Lee. Developers L.B. Harris and Eugene Cartledge, as president and secretary of the Austin and Northern Land and Cattle Company, on Sept. 29, 1891, sold for $1.00 this 11.7 - acre burial ground. Already site of several graves, it was deeded to Hayrick Lodge No. 696, A.F. & A.M., for "sole use as cemetery grounds for the members, relatives, and friends". Later it was named by the lodge. Buried here are 34 Civil War veterans, as well as soldiers of later wars and members of many of the families in Robert Lee. (1973) #4300
?, Robert Lee, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #04260
Richard Coke. (1829-1896) Virginia native. Leader Texas secession movement. Joined army, rose to captain 15th Texas Infantry company serving in Louisiana, Arkansas, chiefly Tennessee campaigns. Elected to state supreme court 1866, removed by Reconstruction military authorities. Defeated Governor E.J. Davis 1873. Bloodless controversy ensued, Davis retired under protest, marking political end Reconstruction in Texas. U.S. Senator 1877-1895. A Memorial to Texans who served the Confederacy Erected by the State of Texas 1963 #4260
?, Robert Lee, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #03933
Panther Gap. Landmark on ancient Indian trail, and early route of travelers and military west of Fort Chadbourne (20 miles east) before the Civil War. After 1880, was used extensively to connect this area with the railroad at Colorado City. Named for panthers (cougars), which still roam the region. (1973) #3933
?, Robert Lee, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #03110
Locklin Bartholomew Murray. (June 17, 1849-April 29, 1923) Born in Jackson, Miss. Came to Texas with family in early 1860's. Married Susan Lucinda McSpadden (1855-1917), and had 7 children who lived to adulthood. Settled near Sanco, in Yellow Wolf Valley, about 1888, and began ranching. In 1894 he was elected sheriff and tax collector by Coke county citizens. He held the position for 4 consecutive terms, until 1902, earning a reputation as an honest and efficient lawman. Recorded - 1973 #3110
?, Robert Lee, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #02722
James Franklin Byrd. (December 18, 1844-June 9, 1915) Born in Kentucky. Joined the Confederate army at Gonzales, Texas, 1862. Was in Co. F., Willis' Battalion of Cavalry, army of Virginia. Fought in battles of Holly Springs, Harrisburg, Fort Pilow, and others. Captured, he became prisoner of war on Ship Island. Escaped by volunteering to help load boat, then joining prisoners to be exchanged. Married Eliza Elizabeth May. Made permanent home at Pecan Mott, West of Hayrick Mountain. Recorded -- 1968 #2722
?, Robert Lee, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #02415
Hayrick Lodge 696, A.F. & A.M.. Organized 1890 at Hayrick, first county seat of Coke County. Moved to Robert Lee 1891. This hall was built in 1906 by a contractor, S.C. Wilkins, of concrete blocks mixed and cast by hand. First story has housed many businesses, U.S. offices. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1966. #2415
701 Austin Ave., Robert Lee, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #02414
Hayrick. First county seat of Coke County, 1889-1890. Robert Lee then became the county seat. #2414
?, Robert Lee, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #02140
General Robert Edward Lee. Military officer in Texas, 1856-1861. In Civil War, Confederate general. This county seat was named in his honor. This memorial given by Mr. and Mrs. W.D. McAdams #2140
?, Robert Lee, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #01766
First Methodist Church of Robert Lee. The Rev. Green Cotton Fields organized this Methodist congregation in January 1891. A one-room frame sanctuary built on this site in 1896 was replaced by a second structure in 1907. This structure was completed in 1928, during the pastorate of the Rev. J.D. Ramsey. Exhibiting elements of the Classical Revival style, it features paired art-glass windows and a triumphal-arch entryway. The church continues to be an important part of the community. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1988 #1766
?, Robert Lee, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #01390
Edith. Settled by cattlemen who ran herds on open range, and stock-farming homesteaders. Development began in early 1880's after Winfield Scott, rancher, fenced his spread. Area had three schools, lodge hall, tabernacle, general store, cotton gin and blacksmith shop. The post office, established in 1890, was named for Edith Bonsall, an admired young lady of Ballinger. It closed in 1955. Dwindling schools combined, then consolidated with those of nearby Robert Lee. As trend toward urban living increased, Edith declined. (1969) #1390
?, Robert Lee, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #01232
Divide Cemetery. In 1896 the Smith and Chapman families donated 4 acres here for a cemetery and church lot. A sanctuary for all faiths was built on the site the same year to serve the scattered ranches along the divide between the watersheds of the Colorado and North Concho Rivers. First to be buried here was Mrs. H.A. (Callie) Chapman (1870-97). The cemetery contains about 100 graves, including those of the earliest settlers of this area of Coke County and veterans of World Wars I and II and Korea. This cemetery is still used by descendants of many pioneers. (1973) #1232
?, Robert Lee, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #00934
Coke County Jail. Successor to county's first one-room jail of rough lumber built about 1891, this building was erected 1907 by Southern Structural Steel Company, San Antonio. Officials who let the contract were P.D. Coulson, county judge; C.M. Barger, S.W. Gaston, T.J. Goss, M.C. Jones, Commissioners. At least seven early sheriffs lived downstairs, acting as jailkeepers. The prisoners averaged about four a month, jailed only for short terms for minor law violations. Coke County never has had a felon assessed the death penalty. The gallows on second floor were never used. (1972) #934
601 Chadbourne St., Robert Lee, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #00933
Coke County. Formed from Tom Green county. Created March 13, 1889, Organized April 23, 1889. Named in honor of Richard Coke 1829-1896. Governor of Texas 1874-1876, member of United States Senate 1878 - 1896. County seat, Hayrick, 1889 Robert Lee, since 1890. #933
?, Robert Lee, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #00741
Cary Allen Gates. (October 14, 1836-July 27, 1927) Born near town of Paint Lick, Kentucky. Came to Collin County, Texas, 1858. Joined Confederate army at McKinney, October, 1861, as private in army of Tennessee. Served in five divisions. Was in battle of Chickamauga; hurt at Murfreesboro, Tennessee; shot through wrist at Spanish Fort, Alabama. Served till end of war. Married twice, he and first wife Mary Jane Sadler had ten children. Moved to Coke county, 1906. Spent rest of life here. Recorded -- 1968 #741
?, Robert Lee, TX, United States