Webster Massacre Marker

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Near Leander in Williamson County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Webster Massacre

By Richard Denney, August 9, 2008

1. Webster Massacre Marker

Inscription. Here sleep the victims of the "Webster Massacre" of August 27, 1839. About thirty homeseekers headed by John Webster en route to what is now Burnet County, were attacked by a band of Comanche Indians. After attempting to flee under cover of darkness, they were trapped in this vicinity. Mrs. Webster and her two children were captured and later released. All the others were killed. Martha Webster then but three years old was later married to Marmaduke Strickland. (1936)

Erected 1936 by State of Texas.

Location. 30° 34.975′ N, 97° 49.583′ W. Marker is near Leander, Texas, in Williamson County. Marker can be reached from FM 2243 2 miles east of Leander, on the left when traveling east. Click for map. In Davis Cemetery. Marker is in this post office area: Leander TX 78641, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, as the crow flies. Leander (approx. 1.6 miles away); Leanderthal Lady (approx. 1.6 miles away); Norton Moses Lodge No. 336, A.F. & A.M. (approx. 1.8 miles away); Leander Schools (approx. 1.8 miles away); Leander United Methodist Church (approx. 1.8 miles away); Leander Presbyterian Church (approx. 1.8 miles away); A. S. Mason House (approx. 2.6 miles away); Bagdad Cemetery (approx. 2.7 miles away). Click for a list of all markers in Leander.

Lid of sarcophagus that serves as common grave. Photo, Click for full size

By Richard Denney, June 27, 2009

2. Lid of sarcophagus that serves as common grave.

The inscription on the lid was done (or re-done?) as recently as 2008. It reads in part "To the memory[of] Washington Perry Reese and William Parker Reese. Killed with John Webster and Company by Comanche Indians August 27th 1839 AD.."

Also see . . .
1. Webster Massacre, Handbook of Texas Online. (Submitted on June 28, 2009, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas.)
2. Council House Fight, Handbook of Texas Online. Mrs. Webster and her daughter reporteldy escaped from the Comanches while camped near San Antonio to attend a council for prisoner exchange in 1840. That meeting in San Antonio culminated in the "Council House Fight". Mrs. Webster's son was returned as part of a prisoner exchange after the Council House Fight. (Submitted on June 28, 2009, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas.)
3. The Great Comanche Raid: Boldest Indian Attack of the Texas Republic, by Donaly E. Brice. Brice's book explains how events such as the Webster massacre (in particular the role of captives) were key in precipitating subsequent events that would define Texas and Comanche bitter relations for the rest of the 1800s, namely the Council House Fight in San Antonio, which in turn led to the burning of Victoria and Linnville by the Comanches, which in turn resulted in retaliation by Texians (citizens of the Republic of Texas) at the Battle of Plum Creek. (Submitted on June 28, 2009, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas.)
4. Historical marker for Casas Reales, site of Council House Fight. (Submitted on July 7, 2009, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas.)