Near Newcastle in Young County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Major Robert S. Neighbors
As Indian agent, forceful peacemaker and humanist, Maj. Neighbors had more influence over Texas’ Indians than any other man of his era; came to Texas in 1836.
He served as quartermaster in Texas Army, 1839-41. While on Texas Ranger duty in San Antonio, 1842, he was taken as a prisoner of war to Mexico by Gen. Adrian Woll and spent 18 months in Perote prison.
Began his service to the Indians in 1845. As agent for Lipan-Apache and Tonkawa tribes, he used field system of control, visiting Indian homes, learning a red man’s way of life, improving living conditions, helping them to trade. He ably defended their rights, was counselor and friend, and sought new homes for them, never faltering in commitment to their safety.
As a Texas commissioner in 1850 he organized El Paso County; he was also a state representative, 1851-1852, and a Presidential elector in 1852.
Major Neighbors later became the supervising agent for all of the Indians in Texas. Frontier civilians and soldiers failed to support his Indian policies. Many became hostile. On Sept. 14, 1859, he was murdered near here by a white man as he was returning after safely removing all reservation Indians from Texas. He was buried in Belknap Cemetery (½ mi. E. of town).
Erected 1967 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 3194.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Native Americans • Wars, US Indian. A significant historical year for this entry is 1836.
Location. 33° 9.073′ N, 98° 44.426′ W. Marker is near Newcastle, Texas, in Young County. Marker can be reached from Farm to Market Road 61 south of Thompson Road. Marker is located inside Fort Belknap park near the entrance; the above directions are to the entrance of the park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Newcastle TX 76372, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Camp Belknap, C.S.A. (a few steps from this marker); Fort Belknap (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Fort Belknap Powder Magazine (within shouting distance of this marker); Colonel William C. Young (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Belknap Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Butterfield Overland Stages (about 400 feet away); Tonkawa Scouts, C.S.A. (about 400 feet away); A Military Road (Fort Belknap - Fort Worth) (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Newcastle.
Also see . . . Robert Simpson Neighbors. From the Texas State Historical Association's "Handbook of Texas Online". (Submitted on April 1, 2016.)
Credits. This page was last revised on November 29, 2020. It was originally submitted on April 1, 2016, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 744 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 1, 2016, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.