Waxahachie in Ellis County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
August 1947 (8/47)
Photographed by James Hulse, September 5, 2026
1. August 1947 Marker
On August 5, 1947 19 men in a 1946 Chevrolet flatbed truck traveling Northbound on Highway 77 in Waxahachie, Texas were killed when a Southbound gasoline truck accidently ran head on into the truck. It was the most fatal accident in the history of Ellis County. The youngest boy on the truck was Mayes, who was 16 years old. Those who survived included William Tulsa Jackson, Alfonso Brewer, T.J. Kelly, and Sam Williams. Two people were not accounted for.
Andrew J. Arrington Jr. John Benson Carmen Blunt J. B. York Frank Pittman Herman Frazier Jack T. Montgomery Ludie H. Scroggins Charles Greenwood Antoine (Pegleg) Turner Welton Mayes Johnnie B. Simpson Morris C. Robertson George L. Taylor Robert Charlie Dixon Louis (Shorty) Huckleby Cardell Grigsby Isom Green Marvin L. Wallace
Erected by City of Waxahachie, Saul Smith / South Star Reconditioning, Dallas Texas Motorcyclist of Brotherhood M/C, Dr. Jamal Rasheed / Ellis County African American Hall of Fame and Project Design Jibril A.A. Rasheed.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this
this page online
Location. 32° 23.005′ N, 96° 50.567′ W. Marker is in Waxahachie, Texas, in Ellis County. It is at the intersection of Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard (Business U.S. 287) and Wyatt Street, on the right when traveling west on Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 440 M.L.K Jr Blvd, Waxahachie TX 75165, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region and in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan Area. 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, and one of the Confederate States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Sweatt Family Legacy (within shouting distance of this marker); Bessie Coleman (within shouting distance of this marker); Strickland-Sawyer House (approx. 0.3 miles away); Rogers Hotel (approx. 0.3 miles away);
Photographed by James Hulse, September 5, 2026
2. August 1947 Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on September 6, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 6, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 4 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 6, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
