Historical Marker: Bush Knob Massacre

Forts Trail Region
intersection of Farm to Market Road 923 and Hay Rake Mountain Road (CR 324) Throckmorton, Texas 76483

Marker #15093 Text:

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.

Mapped location of Historical Marker: Bush Knob Massacre

Historical Marker: Bush Knob Massacre

intersection of Farm to Market Road 923 and Hay Rake Mountain Road (CR 324) Throckmorton, Texas 76483