Wills Point in Van Zandt County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Elbert Gray

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, April 7, 2024

1. Elbert Gray Marker

Inscription. On Feb. 5, 1912, 16-year-old Elbert Gray committed a most heroic act. Two-year-old Calvin Stepp had fallen into a water well sixty feet deep and barely one foot across. Lowered by rope, Elbert descended feet first to carry Calvin to safety, but near the top Calvin slipped and fell again. On the second try, Elbert went head first and successfully rescued Calvin after four hours trapped below the surface. Both youths had only minor cuts and bruises. Newspaper accounts and letters of support sent to the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission resulted in Elbert being awarded a Carnegie Hero Medal in Oct. 1913. During World War II, Elbert lost all fingers on one hand in a Dallas War Defense plant. Elbert and Calvin kept in touch the rest of their lives.

Erected 2011 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 16714.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Heroes • War, World II. A significant historical date for this entry is February 5, 1912.

Location. 32° 41.556′ N, 96° 0.721′ W. Marker is in Wills Point, Texas, in Van Zandt County. It can be reached from the intersection of County Road 3410 and Bama Street, on the right when traveling south. The marker stands inside of Greenwood Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 460 Co Rd 3410, Wills Point TX 75169, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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Regionally, this marker is in the American South

and in the Piney Woods.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Cartwright School (approx. 0.6 miles away); Russell Memorial United Methodist Church (approx. one mile away); Wills Point Schools (approx. one mile away); First National Bank of Wills Point (approx. 1.1 miles away); Bruce & Human Drug Company (approx. 1.2 miles away); Wynne & Wynne Law Office (approx. 1.2 miles away); Rose Fountain (approx. 1.2 miles away); Brick Streets of Wills Point (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wills Point.

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, April 7, 2024

2. Elbert Gray Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on April 9, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 8, 2024, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. This page has been viewed 200 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 8, 2024, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.