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.
Colonel Wm. Edgar Hughes of the Mill Iron. . 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.
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.)
Location. 34° 25.583′ N, 100° 12.288′ W. Marker is in Childress, Texas, in Childress County. Marker 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 postal address: 100 Avenue E Northwest, Childress TX 79201, United States of America. Touch for directions.
4. Colonel Wm. Edgar Hughes of the Mill Iron Marker
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 527 times since then and 24 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.