La Grange in Fayette County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

The Drawing of the Black Beans

March 25, 1843

Photographed By James Hulse, October 5, 2021

1. The Drawing of the Black Beans Marker

Inscription. At Hacienda Salado, 80 miles south of Saltillo, Coahuila, on March 25, 1843, the 176 recaptured Texans who had escaped from the hacienda on February 11, 1843, were told that one-tenth of them would be executed on order from Santa Anna. The Texans drew beans from a pot containing 159 white beans and seventeen black beans. Those who drew black beans were given an opportunity to write home and then, about sunset, were shot. Following is a corrected list of the seventeen men who drew black beans, and the sixteen whose remains were recovered during the Mexican War by John Dusenbury, with the permission of Major Walter P. Lane, and were returned here for interment, September 18, 1848:

John L. Cash • Thomas L. Jones • Joseph N.M. Thompson • James D. Cocke • Patrick Maher • James N. Torrey • Robert Holmes Dunham • James Masterson Ogden • James Turnbull • William Mosby Eastland • Christopher Roberts • Henry Whalen • Edward E. Este • William Rowan • Martin Carroll Wing • Robert H. Harris • James L. Shepherd*

*James L. Shepherd was only wounded; he faked death and escaped that night. Three days later he was recognized in Saltillo and was shot in the street. His remains were never recovered.

Erected by Texas Historical Commission.

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lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • War, Mexican-American • War, Texas Independence. A significant historical date for this entry is February 11, 1843.

Location. 29° 53.339′ N, 96° 52.622′ W. Marker is in La Grange, Texas, in Fayette County. Marker can be reached from State Highway 92 Spur near State Highway 77. The marker is located on the western section of the grounds of Kreische Brewery & Monument Hill State Historic Sites. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 414 TX-92 Spur, La Grange TX 78945, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Men of the Dawson Massacre (here, next to this marker); The Survivors of the Dawson Massacre (here, next to this marker); The Deaths of Dr. Richard Fox Brenham and Ewen Cameron (here, next to this marker); The Final Resting Place (a few steps from this marker); Kreische Complex (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Monument Hill Tomb (about 500 feet away); The Faison House (approx. ¾ mile away); Fayette County Jail (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in La Grange.

Also see . . . Black Bean Episode.

Observers of the drawing
Photographed By James Hulse, October 5, 2021

2. The Drawing of the Black Beans Marker and tomb
later described the dignity, the firmness, the light temper, and general courage of the men who drew the beans of death. Some left messages for their families with their companions; a few had time to write letters home. The doomed men were unshackled from their companions, placed in a separate courtyard, and shot at dusk on March 25, 1843. Source: The Handbook of Texas

(Submitted on October 18, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

Closeup of the Memorial for the martyred Texans image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, October 5, 2021

3. Closeup of the Memorial for the martyred Texans

Men who drew the black bean image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, October 5, 2021

4. Men who drew the black bean

Credits. This page was last revised on October 19, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 18, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 696 times since then and 228 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 19, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.