Art in Mason County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Daniel Hoerster
Photographed By James Hulse, December 4, 2023
1. Daniel Hoerster Marker
Erected 1967 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 11279.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Law Enforcement. A significant historical year for this entry is 1875.
Location. 30° 44.78′ N, 99° 6.694′ W. Marker is in Art, Texas, in Mason County. Marker is on North Art Road, half a mile north of State Highway 29, on the right when traveling north. The marker is located along the east side of the road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Art TX 76820, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Kothmann Homesite and Cemetery (approx. 0.6 miles away); Art Methodist Church (approx. 0.8 miles away); On This Site the First Church in Mason County (approx. 0.8 miles away); Art Schoolhouse (approx. 0.8 miles away); Mason County (approx. 6.3 miles away); Rudolph and Therese Runge House (approx. 6.6 miles away); First Christian Church (approx. 6.7 miles away); Lutheran Sunday School Building (approx. 6.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Art.
Also see . . .
1. Hoerster, Daniel (1843–1875)
this page online
In 1874 he acquired over 340 acres near Fort Mason. Cattle theft had gone unchecked in the area for several years when Hoerster became involved in the Mason County War in 1874 and 1875 as a supporter of Sheriff John Clark. The event, a local dispute over cattle rustling that intensified into a feud, was resolved in 1876 only after months of violence. Hoerster was with a posse in February 1875 when it arrested ten suspects. A number of hangings and other deaths ensued that led to a confrontation on September 7, 1875, in which Moses Baird, one of the disputants, was killed at Hedwig's Hill. Support for Sheriff Clark declined, and desire to avenge the recent deaths increased. On September 29, 1875, Hoerster was ambushed and killed by John Baird, Moses Baird's brother, in Mason.(Submitted on December 6, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
2. Mason County War. Texas State Historical Association (TSHA)
The Mason County War, commonly known as the Hoodoo War, was one of a number of feuds that developed over the stealing and killing of cattle. As early as June 25, 1874, Wilson Hey, presiding justice of Mason County, wrote Governor Richard Coke requesting that troops be stationed in the county to help deal with cattle rustling. Since(Submitted on December 6, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)many of the settlers of the county were Germans, there began to be a perception that they were pitted against the American-born residents, and neither group was able to get protection from the cattle thieves. The trouble began seriously when the sheriff, John Clark, jailed nine men on charges of stealing cattle. Before a trial was held, four of them escaped, but a mob of about forty men took the remaining five from the jail on February 18, 1875, led them to a place near Hick Springs, and hanged them.Photographed By James Hulse, December 4, 20232. Daniel Hoerster Gravestone and Marker
Photographed By James Hulse, December 4, 2023
3. The small Daniel Hoerster gravesite is located along the county road
Photographed By James Hulse, December 4, 2023
4. The view of the Daniel Hoerster Gravesite and Marker from the road
Credits. This page was last revised on December 6, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 6, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 51 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 6, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
