Near Lometa in Lampasas County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Richard S. Stokes

(1838- Oct. 26, 1920)

Photographed by James Hulse, September 12, 2024

1. Richard S. Stokes Marker

Inscription. Joined Confederate Army, as a private, Aug. 7, 1861; was promoted to 1st Lt., Co. I, 8th infantry, Miss. Regiment, on Aug. 29, 1864. Came to Texas in 1868, settled in Lampasas County as a rancher and farmer; married Elizabeth Rawson, and had seven children. On July 19, 1911, at Chadwick's Mill on the Colorado River, at age 73, Stokes rescued Lillie B. Evetts, Eva Foster, and R. Ashley Greaves from drowning. For the feat, he received a Carnegie Hero Medal. Recorded - 1973

Erected 1973 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 4261.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Heroes. A significant historical date for this entry is July 19, 1911.

Location. 31° 18.308′ N, 98° 25.15′ W. Marker is near Lometa, Texas, in Lampasas County. It can be reached from County Road 2664 0.1 miles east of County Road 2659. The marker is located in the eastern section of the Long Cove Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 971 County Rd 2664, Lometa TX 76853, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Big Country.

Globally, it is in North America,

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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,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Long Cove Baptist Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Pleasant Grove Cemetery (approx. 4.7 miles away); Site of Lometa Reservoir (approx. 4.8 miles away); Phantom Hill Road (approx. 6 miles away); Lometa (approx. 6.3 miles away); C.S.A. Salts Works (approx. 6.6 miles away); Scholten Railroad (approx. 6.8 miles away); Senterfitt Cemetery (approx. 7.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lometa.

Also see . . . Richard S. Stokes - Lometa, TX. Carnegie Hero Fund Commission

Richard S. Stokes, 74, retired, saved Lillie B. Evetts, 15; R. Ashley Greaves, 21, assistant bank cashier, and Eva Foster, 14, from drowning, Lometa, Texas, July 19, 1911. Greaves and Eva, who could not swim, stepped into swift, deep water in the Colorado River, 30 feet from the bank, and went down.
Photographed by James Hulse, September 12, 2024

2. The Richard S. Stokes Gravestone and Marker
When they came up, they clutched each other and called for help. Stokes, not heeding the calls of his wife and daughter not to do so, swam toward them. Lillie, who could not swim, stepped into the deep water shortly after Greaves and Eva. When Stokes was near Lillie, she grasped his collar with one hand. He continued to the others. Greaves threw one arm around Stokes’s neck from the side opposite Lillie, and Eva clung to Greaves. Stokes swam 15 feet diagonally across the current to a narrow ledge, where he stood in water reaching to his chin. Eva became unconscious just as they reached the ledge, but help arrived almost simultaneously, and the rescued were taken to shore. Stokes was very tired.

(Submitted on September 18, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

The view of the Richard S. Stokes Marker in the Long Cove Cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, September 12, 2024

3. The view of the Richard S. Stokes Marker in the Long Cove Cemetery

Credits. This page was last revised on September 18, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 18, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 231 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 18, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.