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

Bush Knob Massacre

Photographed by Duane Hall, March 23, 2016

1. Bush Knob Massacre Marker

Inscription. In 1873, rancher Bill Hayes organized a group to drive cattle to the Indian Territory. They gathered cattle, including some belonging to rancher and outlaw John Larn, who Hayes believed had earlier rustled his cattle. Larn and a deputy secured a warrant for Hayes’ arrest and requested assistance from Ft. Griffin. Buffalo soldiers, under the command of Lt. Edward P. Turner, joined a posse assembled by Larn. They reached the herders and killed Hayes and others. The remaining cowboys were arrested and later killed on the way back to Clear Fork. While official reports indicate otherwise, it is believed that all of the cowboys were murdered. Tradition indicates that the victims were buried at Bush Knob Cemetery.

Erected 2008 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 15093.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Animals • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Wars, US Indian. A significant historical year for this entry is 1873.

Location. 33° 5.79′ N, 99° 8.58′ W. Marker is near Throckmorton, Texas, in Throckmorton County. It is at the intersection of Farm to Market Road 923 and Hay Rake Mountain Road (County Road 324), on the right when traveling south on Road 923. Marker is located at

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the entrance to Bush Knob Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Throckmorton TX 76483, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Big Country.

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 Comanchería,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Great Western Trail (approx. 6 miles away); Camp Cooper, C.S.A. (approx. 6 miles away); Throckmorton County Courthouse (approx. 6 miles away); Throckmorton County Veterans Memorial (approx. 6.1 miles away); Throckmorton County Jail (approx. 6.1 miles away); Throckmorton County (approx. 7 miles away); Site of the Principal Village of the Comanche Indian Reserve (approx. 8 miles away); a different marker also named Great Western Trail (approx. 8.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Throckmorton.

Marker at Entrance to Bush Knob Cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane Hall, March 23, 2016

2. Marker at Entrance to Bush Knob Cemetery

View to North on Farm-to-Market Road 923 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane Hall, March 23, 2016

3. View to North on Farm-to-Market Road 923

Marker is on left (west) side of road

Credits. This page was last revised on December 3, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 3, 2016, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,633 times since then and 57 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 3, 2016, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.