First Settlement in Knox County. One side: In the immediate area of the L Bar Ranch were 12 families, most of them stockholders in the Wichita & Brazos Cattle Company. To assure them church and school privileges, in 1885 H. G. Bedford started the town of Benjamin, located 6 miles west of The Narrows, naming it for his eldest son. In 1886 he was instrumental in getting Knox County organized with Benjamin as county seat. FOUNDERS of BENJAMIN H. G. Bedford, Rufus Browder, G.B. Stewart, L.W. Ricketts, R.P. Dimmett, W.W. Wetherly, T.G. Stewart, Ed W. Bedford, J.W. Hinton, A.E. Brannin, R.D. Goree, H. C. Thompson. Other side L - RANCH; HILORY GREEN BEDFORD In 1884, Hilory G. Bedford formed Wichita & Brazos Stock Company to own and operate the L Bar Ranch. Retaining 51% stock, he became president with R. P. Dimmitt secretary. This company had a herd of some 8,000 cattle, grazing on the open range, centered north to south at The Narrows, between Wichita & Brazos rivers, branding S on neck and L - on left side. Headquarters of ranch were 4 miles northeast of The Narrows on north bank S. Wichita River, about center of present John Ed Jones ranch. 1886-1887 loss of many cattle by severe drouth and blizzards and sharp drop in prices caused dissolution of W & B Stock Company and disposal of ranch in 1887. Erected by some descendants of first settlers in tribute to settlers and their leader, H.G. Bedford. - 1967 #1865