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

Colonel Wm. Edgar Hughes of the Mill Iron

Photographed by Mark Hilton, July 22, 2016

1. Colonel Wm. Edgar Hughes of the Mill Iron Marker

Inscription. Born 1840. Came from Illinois to Texas, 1859. During Civil War rose from private, 1st Texas Artillery, to Colonel in 16th Cavalry. Was in bloody battles of Shiloh, Chickamauga, Nashville, Richmond. After war, when "didn't have 2 pairs of pants", taught school and read law in Weatherford. As lawyer, took many land cases. In 7 years became organizer and president, City Bank of Dallas (now 1st National, Dallas). Later, an officer in Exchange Bank, Dallas; Union Trust Company, St. Louis; Continental Trust Company, Denver. In 1880, bought half interest in Mill Iron Ranch. Purchased small holdings from Pease to Red River-bridle bits, DV's, Diamond D's and others. Range lay in Childress, Cottle, Hall, Motley counties. In 1885 added windmills, wells, to run larger herds-up to 50,000. In early years used dugouts, chuckwagons for headquarters. First small ranchouse was built at windmill 62, near Estelline.

Bought out Rocking Chair Ranch, Collingsworth County, 1896. Until 1898, ran only longhorns. Was said to have had the largest men, most practical jokers, longest cattle drives, biggest horses in Texas. He sold off the Last Mill Iron Herd in 1918-year of his death.

Erected 1965 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 968.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Education • Industry & Commerce • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Windmills series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1840.

Location. 34° 25.583′ N, 100° 12.288′ W. Marker is in Childress, Texas, in Childress County. It is at the intersection of Avenue F Northwest (U.S. 287) and North Main Street, on the right when traveling east on Avenue F Northwest. Located on the Childress County Courthouse lawn. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this

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postal address: 100 Avenue E Northwest, Childress TX 79201, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Texas Panhandle.

It is also on the American Great Plains

and specifically on the Southern Plains.

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 Dust Bowl,

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: Childress County (within shouting distance of this marker); Frank Collinson (approx. ¼ mile away); Childress Post Office Building (approx. ¼ mile away); Palace Theater (approx. ¼ mile away); Quanah Parker Trail (approx. 0.3 miles away); Goodnight Trail (approx. 0.4 miles away); Childress Cemetery (approx. half a mile away); Old Railroad Y.M.C.A. (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Childress.

Also see . . . Texas State Historical Association article on Colonel Hughes. (Submitted on August 9, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

Marker near the Childress County Courthouse. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, July 22, 2016

2. Marker near the Childress County Courthouse.

View from marker north on U.S. Highway 287. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, July 22, 2016

3. View from marker north on U.S. Highway 287.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, November 15, 2016

4. Colonel Wm. Edgar Hughes of the Mill Iron Marker

Colonel William Edgar Hughes image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Courtesy: Find a Grave

5. Colonel William Edgar Hughes

Image available on the Internet and included in accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 21, 2019. It was originally submitted on August 9, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 939 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 9, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. 4. submitted on December 4, 2016, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 5. submitted on August 9, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.