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  • Carroll M. Peak | PioneersRestCemetery

    Dr. Carroll Marion Peak November 13, 1828 - February 27, 1885 Dr. Carroll Marion Peak was born in Warsaw, Kentucky on November 13, 1828 to parents Jefferson and Martha Malvina Peak. At the age of 19, he began an apprenticeship studying medicine. He would later attend the University of Louisville where he would earn his medical degree in 1851.¹ He married Florence Chalfant on April 26, 1853 in Madison, Indiana. In that same year, the young Doctor was persuaded to move to Fort Worth, Texas to establish his practice. Their first home was a log cabin made from cottonwood trees. He is noted as being the first physician of Fort Worth, which was much needed as the city was growing quickly. With youth on his side, he committed himself to providing medical care to anyone within a 30 mile radius of Fort Worth. “The weather was never too bad nor way too perilous for him to go to those who needed him, may they be rich or poor, black, white or red.”² In 1855, Carroll and his wife founded the First Christian Church inside their home. The church is still operational today and is the oldest continuously operating church established in Fort Worth.³ By 1856, Dr. Peak built a larger home in Downtown Fort Worth near the present day historic Courthouse. Connected to their home was a drug store, where Dr. Peak sold anything from ointments and medications to pocket knives and sides of beef. His establishment was just the second mercantile established in Fort Worth. When the civil war started, Dr. Peak volunteered and helped recruit others to join the Volunteer Texas Cavalry for the Confederate Army. He would spend his service time in Louisiana as a surgeon. After the war, Dr. Peak returned home but found much of the landscape of the city had changed. Along with other prominent men in town, the decision was made that they would encourage the railroad to come through Fort Worth to help stimulate the economic growth of the city. Dr. Peak personally provided $2,250 for the cause and the railroad came to town as they had wished. Dr. Peak remained active in civic matters his entire life. Dr. Peak was a lifelong member of the Democratic Party and in 1880 he accomplished one of his long standing goals: to be a delegate for the Democratic National Convention held in Cincinnati. He also served on the City Council and did so much for the area schools he was known as “the father of the Fort Worth Public School System.” Dr. Peak was a dedicated advocate for the education of African Americans. In 1882, as the first president of the Fort Worth school board, he established the city’s first free public secondary school for African American students, originally named the East Ninth Street Colored School.⁴ In 1921, the school was renamed I.M. Terrell High School in honor of its former principal. Today, Carroll Peak Elementary, located at 1201 E. Jefferson St., stands as a tribute to Dr. Peak's contributions to education and his commitment to advancing opportunities for all students.⁵ Carroll and his wife Florence had four children together and also adopted two orphaned children.⁶ After a battle with a short illness, Dr. Peak died of a kidney disease on February 27, 1885 at the age of 56. His funeral took place in his home⁷ and he is laid to rest next to his wife and five of his children. __________________________ [1] “Dr. C.M. Peak Dead,” Fort Worth Daily Gazette. Fort Worth, TX, Vol. 9, No. 228, Ed. 1, Saturday, February 28, 1885, Pg. 5. Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth86422/m1/5 ; Accessed 24 Aug 2023. [2] Pattie, Illene. Carroll Marion Peak: A Story of a Frontier Doctor. Texas State Historical Association. The Junior Historian, Volume 5, Number 5, March 1945, periodical, March 1945; Austin, Texas, Pgs. 17-19. https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth391509/ ; Accessed 24 Aug 2023. [3] “First Christian Church - Throckmorton.” Historic Fort Worth, 2022. https://historicfortworth.org/property/first-christian-church-throckmorton/ ; Accessed 25 Aug 2023. [4] Pattie, Illene. Carroll Marion Peak: A Story of a Frontier Doctor. 1945 [5] “Carroll Peak Elementary School.” Fort Worth ISD, 2023. https://www.fwisd.org/CarrollPeak ; Accessed 25 Aug 2023. [6] Pattie, Illene. Carroll Marion Peak: A Story of a Frontier Doctor. 1945 [7] “Dr. C.M. Peak Dead.” 1885. d, Katie. 2007, Pgs. 89-90. Block 3, Lot 20 [Explore the Map ]

  • Belle S. Andrews | PioneersRestCemetery

    Miss Belle S. Andrews January 18, 1853 - June 28, 1882 Miss Belle S Andrews was the daughter of A.T. and Catherine Andrews. The Andrews family moved to Fort Worth in 1858 when much of the city was still “wilderness,” making the family one of the early pioneers of Tarrant County. Their family was quite large, with several sons and daughters.¹ Hard times would find the family in 1867, when Belle’s father passed away. Belle was only 15 years old at the time of his death. As she grew to be a young woman, Belle was known to be a local socialite and even mentioned she was “one of Fort Worth’s favorite daughters.”² She would attend a variety of social parties and events throughout Fort Worth and her name would regularly be mentioned in local newspapers. Her personality was described as being “bright and winsome” along with being “vivacious and joyous.” On June 28, 1882, after a short illness, Belle would die of “consumption” at the age of 29.³ Today, we would call this tuberculosis. __________________________ [1] “An Old Resident Dead.” Fort Worth Daily Gazette. Fort Worth, TX, Vol. 13, No. 118, Ed. 1, Monday, October 29, 1888 Page: 8 of 8. Retrieved 12 Aug 2023; https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth89688/m1/8/ . [2] “Weatherford.” Fort Worth Daily Democrat and Advance. Fort Worth, TX, Vol. 5, No. 310, Ed. 1 Wednesday, December 14, 1881 Page: 1 of 4. Retrieved 18 Aug 2023. https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1047780/m1/1 . [3] “Miss Belle Andrews Dead.” Fort Worth Daily Democrat-Advance. Fort Worth, TX, Vol. 6, No. 166, Ed. 1 Thursday, June 29, 1882 Page: 4 of 4. Retrieved 12 Aug 2023; https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1047717/m1/4 . Block 4, Lot 17 [Explore the Map ]

  • George Henry White | PioneersRestCemetery

    George Henry White December 7, 1857 - August 8, 1879 George Henry White was born in 1857 in Georgia to Enoch and Amanda White. His father was a poor farmer who moved his family from Georgia to Alabama, then to Rusk County, Texas. By 1877, George had left his family behind and moved to Fort Worth. He befriended several families in his new hometown, living with them as he established himself in Tarrant County. In early 1879, George found steady employment with the Fort Worth Police Department as a Deputy Marshall (the department was only 6 years old). He also worked part-time as a bailiff for the Tenth District Court when court was in session during the months of March thru July. He was regarded as “one of the best and most efficient officers” on the force in a time when Fort Wort was experiencing a crime wave.¹ In addition to his law enforcement work, he was also a volunteer fireman. He worked with the Hook and Ladder Company #1 (aka the Panther Company) and was the Captain of Cart #1.² On August 2, 1879, Deputy Marshal White was tasked with arresting a known horse thief named Tom Alford. Even though Alford was located in Arlington, Texas, George still wanted to make the arrest personally as a favor to the Sheriff.³ While in Arlington, George was successful in arresting Alford. As they began the trip back towards Fort Worth, the suspect’s family ambushed them, striking George with a shotgun blast.⁴ He was shot in the abdomen.⁵ George fought back and killed at least one of the Alford family members during the altercation. Shortly after the shooting, many felt that George would survive his wounds as his condition looked promising.⁶ However, on August 8, 1879, George died of complications in Arlington, TX. This made him the second officer to die in the line of duty in Fort Worth.⁷ He was just 21 years old. Alford was later rearrested and sentenced to 5 years, but the ruling was later overturned on appeal – on a technicality.⁸ George is buried alone with no family around him. He never married. There are no known direct descendants. The current headstone found at his grave was placed in 2002 by the Fort Worth Police Officers Association.⁹ __________________________ [1] Selcer, Richard and Kevin Foster. Written in Blood: The History of Fort Worth’s Fallen Lawmen, University of North Texas Press, Denton, Texas, 2010, vol. 1, pgs. 53-54. [2] “Fire Fighters,” The Daily Fort Worth Democrat, Fort Worth, TX, Vol. 3, No. 337, Ed. 1 Tuesday, August 5, 1879, [Pg. 4], Portal to Texas History : accessed 24 Oct 2024. [3] Selcer, 59. [4] “Deputy City Marshal George White,” Officer Down Memorial Page, 2024; https://www.odmp.org/officer/16203-deputy-city-marshal-george-white: accessed 24 Oct 2024. [5] Selcer, 2010, vol. 1, pg.64. [6] “The Wounded at Arlington,” The Daily Fort Worth Democrat, Fort Worth, TX, Vol. 3, No. 337, Ed. 1 Tuesday, August 5, 1879, [Pg. 4], Portal to Texas History : accessed 24 Oct 2024. [7] “In Memoriam,” Fort Worth Police Department, N.D.; https://police.fortworthtexas.gov/about/memoriam : accessed 24 Oct 2024. [8] Deputy, 2024. [9] Selcer, 2010, vol. 1, pg.71. Block 2, Lot 47 [Explore the Map ]

  • Anna Shelton | PioneersRestCemetery

    Anna Shelton August 20, 1861 - August 28, 1939 Anna Shelton was born August 20, 1861, just north of Fort Worth, to Dr. John Foster Shelton, Jr. and Martha Bronaugh Shelton. She was the youngest of 4 children born to the family. At the young age of 13, Anna’s mother died, leaving her father a widower. Anna attended several local schools in Fort Worth, but was sent to her mother’s alma mater, Bethel College in Kentucky, to attend finishing school.¹ Anna returned to Fort Worth to care for her widowed father in 1890, and moved in with her sister's family after her father's death the following year. After witnessing the divorce of her sister, Lizzie, Anna vowed she would never marry in order to avoid the financial and business ramifications she witnessed. The divorce also gave Anna a new found sense of confidence as she began to reject the traditional female roles of the time and “became civic-minded, informed and a ‘new woman.’” Anna began her professional career as a teacher and tutor of English at the Fort Worth University, a local Methodist Episcopal college. In 1902, Anna decided to leave teaching and studied French and Spanish literature in Paris and New York City for six months. Ultimately, she would return to Fort Worth and become one of the city’s first female realtors and real estate developers. Anna’s success did not stop there, as she was active in the development of many social welfare organizations, many of which focused on the advancement of women.² In 1923, she founded The Woman’s Club of Fort Worth³ and held the office of President until June 1939.⁴ With the success of the club, in 1926, an additional banquet and lecture hall was constructed at 1316 Pennsylvania Ave. The building was named the Anna Shelton Hall in her honor and is still in use to this day.⁵ In addition to the numerous organizations she was a member of, Anna was also a member of the Mary Isham Keith Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. On August 28, 1939, Anna passed away after a lengthy illness with arteriosclerosis, a vascular disease. Her funeral was held at The Woman’s Club in the hall that bore her name.⁶ She is buried in the Shelton family plot and now rests in eternity next to her parents and brother. She was never married and has no known children. __________________________ [1] Paddock, Buckley. Fort Worth and the Texas Northwest, 1922, Pgs. 583-584. [2] Sherrod, Katie. Grace & Gumption : Stories of Fort Worth Women. TCU Press. 2007, Pgs. 69-71. [3] “Funeral Held For Miss Anna Shelton.” Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Three Star ed., 31 Aug. 1939, p. 2. NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current , Accessed 13 Aug. 2023. [4] Naylor, Pauline (1939-05-28). "Miss Shelton's 16-Year Tenure as Woman's Club Head Was Period Marked by Record Expansion". Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Three Star ed., 28 May 1939, p. 34. NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current , Accessed 14 Aug. 2023. [5] “Anna Shelton Hall - Pennsylvania.” Historic Fort Worth. 2022. Retrieved 14 Aug 2023 ; https://historicfortworth.org/property/anna-shelton-hall-pennsylvania/ . [6] “Funeral Held For Miss Anna Shelton.” 1939. Block 3, Lot 64 [Explore the Map ]

  • Josephine Hirschfield Ryan | PioneersRestCemetery

    Josephine H. (Turner) Ryan January 4, 1851 - April 13, 1931 Josephine Harvelia (Turner) Hirshfield Ryan was born to Capt. Charles and Amanda Turner on January 4, 1851. Her father fought in the Mexican-American War of 1846-1848. In 1849 he was one of the soldiers who rode with Major Ripley Arnold and Colonel Middleton Tate Johnson when they selected a site on the Trinity River on which the Army would establish Fort Worth.¹ Josephine was a small child when her parents moved from Shelby County, Texas to Tarrant County in the early 1850’s.² The family crafted a farm out of nothing but prairie grass and live oak trees at the location of the present day Greenwood Cemetery. When the Civil War began, the Confederate government ordered Southerners to exchange their gold for Confederate money. Charles Turner chose not to. Instead, with the help of a trusted slave, Turner buried thousands of dollars worth of gold under an oak tree that still stands in Greenwood Cemetery, known as the “Turner Oak.” After the war, Turner dug up that gold he had buried and used the money to help stabilize Fort Worth’s economy and to ease the debt Fort Worth had incurred. In 1866, at the age of 15, Josephine married 37 year old John S. Hirshfield. Mr. Hirshfield owned a very successful construction company that is noted as building the “first road into the city.”³ Alongside with his father-in-law Charles Turner, he also owned stores of general merchandise along the route of the Houston & Texas Central Railway in Robertson and Limestone counties. Hirshfield is noted as being one of the Fort Worth business leaders that brought the railroad to the city in 1876. The couple would have 7 children, five of which would live to adulthood. Jospehine is also “the step-granddaughter of Captain E. M. Daggett” who “owned the silver wash basin captured from General Santa Anna.” Josephine H. Ryan said of the wash bowl: “. . . my husband, John S. Hirshfield, gave him [Daggett] fifty dollars in gold for it…and my children and grandchildren have had their first bath in it.”⁴ After the death of her first husband in 1877, Josphine found love again. In 1880, she married Capt. Alvis P. Ryan. The couple would have 3 children, but sadly their marriage would end in divorce in 1889.⁵ Josephine passed away in her home on April 13, 1931 at the age of 80. She is buried in Pioneers Rest Cemetery in the Hirshfield family plot next to her first husband and 4 children. Her parents and one sister are also buried at Pioneers Rest. __________________________ [1] “Josephine Ryan: Her Story is Our Story”. Hometown by Handlebar. 6 Aug 2020, https://hometownbyhandlebar.com/?p=4087 ; Accessed 22 Aug 2023. [2] Hudson, Weldon and Barbara Knox. Pioneers Rest Cemetery, Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas. Fort Worth Genealogical Society. 2001. Pg 142. [3] "Tarrant Pioneer, Mrs. J. H. Ryan, to be Buried Today." Dallas Morning News, Final Edition ed., 14 Apr. 1931, p. 9. NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current , Accessed 22 Aug. 2023. [4] “Josephine Ryan: Her Story is Our Story.” 2020. [5] “Alvis Parmley Ryan.” Find a Grave. N.D. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/12895747/alvis-parmley-ryan ; Accessed 22 Aug 2023. Block 4, Lot 17 [Explore the Map ]

  • AddRan Clark | PioneersRestCemetery

    AddRan Clark November 3, 1869 - November 6, 1872 AddRan Clark was born on November 3, 1869 in Fort Worth to Joseph Addison Jr. and Sarah Clark. He would be the first of eight children and also a second generation Texan. The Clark family were early pioneers to Fort Worth and his father, who went by Addison, had served as a 1st Lieutenant in the Texas Cavalry of the Confederate Army.¹ In addition to his military career, Addison was a lifelong teacher and preacher.² AddRan’s unique name is a combination of his father and grandfather’s middle name and his paternal uncle's name Randolph. The same year AddRan was born, the two brothers (Addison & Randolph) opened a children’s preparatory school where both boys and girls could be classically educated. This school opened under the name “The Male & Female Seminary of Fort Worth.”³ Their father Joseph supported their vision by purchasing a tract of land in present-day Downtown, near what was referred to as “Hell’s Half Acre.”⁴ Sadly, little AddRan died in late 1872 and by 1873 the streets of Fort Worth were changing. In time parents became reluctant to send children to Fort Worth for schooling. According to Randolph Clark, "in 1873, the little village became suddenly disturbed, really hysterically excited over the railroad and prospect of a city right at once. This made it not a desirable place to assemble young people for training.” Fort Worth at this time was also seen to be a raw land for trail drivers and headquarters for "the tough vagabond and the professional gambler." In the same year of 1873, the Clarks bought a two-story stone schoolhouse erected forty miles west of Fort Worth in Hood County in the community of Thorp Spring. With just 13 students, they opened the doors of AddRan Male and Female College, one of the first co-ed institutions west of the Mississippi.⁵ The school’s name was inspired by Addison’s deceased son. The school would change its name in 1889 to AddRan Christian University when the property was taken over by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ.) Both brothers remained active in the daily operations of the university. Around Christmas of 1895, with the expansion in enrollment, the university moved to Waco, Texas. In 1902, the university would go through their final name change and would forever be known as Texas Christian University (TCU).⁶ In 1910, a fire destroyed the TCU campus in Waco and the decision was made to move the university to Fort Worth. The city leaders of Fort Worth felt a college might help soften their reputation as a rowdy “cow town.”⁷ The AddRan College of Arts and Sciences (presently the AddRan College of Liberal Arts) would be created within the university, recognizing the early efforts of the Clark Brothers. A statue of the two brothers, both Addison and Randolph, stands today on the campus outside the building that bears the unique name of Addison’s son.⁸ Addison Clark is recognized as the first president of TCU, who served from 1873-1899.⁹ Although AddRan only lived to the age of 3, his influence cannot be ignored. He is the only member of his family to be buried at Pioneers Rest Cemetery. __________________________ [1] Hardeman, Lyman. The History of Texas Christian University. Texas Proud. 12 Dec 2020. https://texasproud.com/texas-christian-university-history/ ; Accessed 21 Aug 2023. [2] Hall, Colby. History of Texas Christian University. TCU Press, Fort Worth, TX. 2014, pg. 8. [3] Hardeman. 2020. [4] Hall. 2014, pg. 13. [5] “Our History Starts with a Family.” Texas Christian University. 2023. https://www.tcu.edu/about/mission-history.php ; Accessed 16 Aug 2023. [6] Hall. 2014, pgs. [xxvii], 14, 30-37. [7] “Our History Starts with a Family.” 2023. [8] “History & Vision.” AddRan College of Liberal Arts. Texas Christian University. 2023. https://addran.tcu.edu/about/history-vision.php ; Accessed 16 Aug 2023. [9] “Past Chancellors.” Texas Christian University. 2023. https://chancellor.tcu.edu/the-office/past-chancellors/ ; Accessed 16 Aug 2023. Block 3, Lot 43 [Explore the Map ]

  • Contact Us | PioneersRestCemetery

    Contact Us Physical Address 620 Samuels Ave Fort Worth 76102 817-332-8515 infopioneersrest@gmail.com Mailing Address P. O. Box 100294 Fort Worth, TX 76185 Leave your message here First name* Last name* Email* Message By checking this box and submitting your information, you are granting us permission to email you. Yes, subscribe me to your newsletter. I may unsubscribe at any time. SEND

  • Charles J. Louckx | PioneersRestCemetery

    Charles J. Louckx January 22, 1846 - October 19, 1913 Charles Louckx was born in 1846, likely in France but census records show he was born in Belgium. The Louckx family immigrated to the United States in 1856 and they settled in a community nicknamed Frenchtown¹ (more formerly known as La Reunion), just 4 miles west of Dallas in the present day Oak Cliff area.² In October 1857, Charles moved with his parents to Fort Worth.³ At the young age of 21, Charles became the Postmaster of Fort Worth in April 1867. He held this role until July of 1869⁴ and was later succeeded by Joseph A. Clark, father of Addison and Randolph Clark, founders of TCU.⁵ Charles resigned his postal position as he was appointed Sheriff of Tarrant County on July 20, 1869. He was the 11th person to hold the position. However, Charles resigned the position in February 1870.⁶ Some records state Charles was the First Postmaster of Fort Worth, but this title appears to belong to Julian Feild, who took the position 10 years prior in 1857.⁷ Charles was the 10th Postmaster of Fort Worth.⁸ Charles married Nannie Overton on September 9, 1868 in Ellis County, Texas.⁹ They had two children that lived to adulthood. On June 1,1902, Nannie passed away leaving Charles a widower.¹⁰ After the death of his wife. Charles began communicating with an old childhood sweetheart named Ermine Robinson, who became widowed herself. Ermine had dated Charles in their youth, but Ermine said that another girl “cut me out” and he married her instead. 40 years later, the two crossed paths again and were married shortly after.¹¹ Charles died on October 19, 1913 after suffering a long illness of “dropsy,” known today as swelling associated with heart failure. He was 67 years old and was given a Masonic funeral.¹² He is buried next to his father and other extended family. __________________________ [1] “Y’all Ain’t from Around Here, Are Y’all?” Hometown by Handlebar, 18 Apr 2012.; https://hometownbyhandlebar.com/?p=1169 : accessed 29 Sept 2024. [2] Davidson, Rondel. “La Reunion,” N.D., Handbook of Texas Online, https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/la-reunion : accessed 29 Sept 2024. [3] "Sheriff of Pioneer Days Here is Dead Funeral of Charles J. Louckx, Also First Postmaster." Fort Worth Star-Telegram, vol. XXXII, no. 278, 20 Oct. 1913, p. Page Twelve. NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current : accessed 29 Sept 2024. [4] “Former Sheriffs From 1850-1880,” Tarrant County, Texas, 26 Oct 2017; https://www.tarrantcountytx.gov/en/sheriff/about-us/former-sheriffs/1850-1880.html : accessed 29 Sept 2024. [5] Ya’ll, 2012. [6] Former, 2017. [7] “Julian Field 2005,” Texas Trail of Fame, N.D.: https://www.texastrailoffame.org/inductees/julian-field : accessed 29 Sept 2024. [8] “Postmasters & Post Offices Of Tarrant County, Texas, 1851 - 1930,” RootsWeb, N.D.; https://sites.rootsweb.com/~txpost/tarrant.html : accessed 29 Sept 2024. [9] “Charles J. Louckx,” Ellis County Clerk's Office; Waxahachie, Texas; Ellis County Marriages, 1850-1955, Ancestry.com [10]"Nannie Overton Louckx,” Fort Worth Morning Register, vol. VI, no. 229, 2 June 1902, p. 2. NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current : accessed 29 Sept 2024. [11] “Spy Hanging Recalled Pioneer Remembers Dueling Days,” Fort Worth Star-Telegram, HOME ed., 30 Oct. 1923, p. 2. NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current : accessed 29 Sept 2024. [12] Sheriff, 1913. Block 3, Lot 53 [Explore the Map ]

  • Cemetery Layout | PioneersRestCemetery

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  • Ripley Allen Arnold | PioneersRestCemetery

    Major Ripley Allen Arnold 1818 - September 6, 1853 Major Ripley Allen Arnold was born in early 1817 or 1818 in Hancock County, Mississippi. His father was Willis Arnold, but his mother is unfortunately unknown. Little is actually known about his youth as his diary and other documents were destroyed by fire after his death while in his granddaughter’s possession. Arnold entered the Military Academy at West Point when he was barely 17 years old on July 1, 1834. He graduated in 1838 and was commissioned in the U.S. Army at the rank of Second Lieutenant. Shortly after graduation, Arnold also renewed a relationship back in Mississippi with his childhood sweetheart, Catherine Bryant. She was 15 years old while Arnold was 21. Catherine’s parents felt she was far too young for such a serious relationship.¹ Despite how her family felt, Arnold and Catherine eloped and were married on August 29, 1839 in New York City.² Arnold’s military career started with being assigned to the First Dragoons, a cavalry unit on duty in Florida during the Indian War. His work with the unit was recognized and he was promoted to First Lieutenant in 1841. Physically, Arnold was described as being about 6 feet tall, with piercing gray eyes and auburn hair and his physical presence helped to make him a commanding officer. He was also noted as being quick-witted and ingenious. On April 19, 1842, Arnold was promoted to the rank of Captain after his “gallant conduct on the field of battle.” His new rank also came with a new assignment, which put him on frontier duty in Baton Rouge and Fort Jessup in Louisiana. When the U.S. declared war on Mexico in 1846, Arnold came to Texas with General Zachary Taylor (the future 12th President). Once in Texas, he was reassigned to the Second Dragoons and was under the leadership of Col. William J. Worth. It was under his leadership where Arnold was promoted to the rank of Major for his “gallant and meritorious conduct.” After the end of the Mexican American war in 1848, Arnold was sent to the Hill County of Texas where he established Fort Graham in April 1849. Later that same year, Arnold was ordered to set up another military post on the Trinity River in North Texas in order to protect the land from Indians. He left Fort Graham and headed northeast through rugged and wild country. Once Arnold arrived in the area, he was met by Col. M.T. Johnson, who also had been under Col. Worth’s command during the Mexican American war. Johnson had been asked to aid Arnold in setting up the new Fort as he knew the terrain. In 1849, once the site for the new Fort was established, Col. Johnson and Maj. Arnold decided to name the site Camp Worth after their hero and commander, who was recently deceased. The name would later be upgraded to Fort Worth. In the Fall of 1852, Arnold was transferred back to Fort Graham. On Sept. 6, 1853, a dispute rang out between Arnold and Assistant Surgeon Josephus Steiner. Arnold had ordered the surgeon to be arrested, but Steiner put up a fight.³ Both drew their weapons, but Arnold was shot dead in the doorway of his living quarters by Steiner. Arnold’s wife was a witness to the incident. He was dead within 15 minutes.⁴ Steiner was later acquitted of any wrongdoing in a civil trial. The surgeon was said to be “insane.”⁵ Sadly, just 11 days after the death of Arnold, Fort Worth was abandoned by the U.S. Army. Ripley and Catherine had 5 children, 2 of which would die in childhood. With Ripley’s military career, Catherine and the children spent the winters in Washington, DC where the children attended school. They would then meet up with Ripley in the summers. Arnold was buried initially at Fort Graham but was reinterred in Pioneers Rest Cemetery in Fort Worth at his request.⁶ In the early 1900’s, many grew concerned about the condition of his grave as it was overgrown and not marked clearly. In 1903, threats were made by the War Department that if the cemetery did not make better efforts to clean-up the grave site, they would remove Ripley Arnold and take him back to the National Cemetery at Fort Sam Houston.⁷ By 1909, May Swayne, President of Pioneers Rest Cemetery began a wide scale campaign to raise funds for a more suitable monument.⁸ The monument that stands today is the result of the efforts of many individuals and organizations that gave to the cemetery cause. In 2014, a statue of Maj. Ripley Arnold was placed at the Panther Island Pavilion in Fort Worth.⁹ __________________________ [1] Thompson, Tommy. “Ripley A. Arnold - Frontier Major.” The Junior Historian, Austin, TX, Volume 9, Number 6, May 1949, Pgs. 1-4. Accessed 28 Sept 2023 ; https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth391369/m1/3/zoom/?q=junior%20historian&resolution=3&lat=3196.9125570472934&lon=1254.1747259313508 [2] “Lt. R.A. Arnold.” New York City, Compiled Marriage Index, 1600s-1800s, 29 Aug 1839. Ancestry.com, Accessed 28 Sept 2023 ; https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/66795:7854?ssrc=pt&tid=16731112&pid=282346326618 . [3] Thompson, Tommy, 1949, pgs. 3-4. [4] “Arnold’s Slaying Raised Storm Over State Rights.” Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Two Star ed., 30 Oct. 1949, p. 124. NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current . Accessed 28 Sept 2023. [5] "War Department is Inquiring. Wants to Know About the Remains of Late Maj. Arnold." Fort Worth StarTelegram, no. 233, 29 Jan. 1903, p. 5. NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current , Accessed 27 Sept. 2023. [6] Pgs. 3-4, Accessed 28 Sept 2023 ; https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth391369/m1/3/zoom/?q=junior%20historian&resolution=2&lat=3416.8314142479776&lon=1058.8401602839508 [7] "War Department…”, 1903, p.5. [8] "Plan Monument for Major Arnold in Old Cemetery! Meeting to Discuss Fixing up of Burying Ground." Fort Worth Star-Telegram, vol. XXVII, no. 301, 13 Nov. 1909, p. [1]. NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current, Accessed 27 Sept. 2023. [9] “Major Ripley Arnold Statue & John V. McMillan Plaza.“ Panther Island Pavilion, Tarrant Regional Water District, N.D. Accessed 28 Sept 2023 ; https://pantherislandpavilion.com/things-to-do/major-ripley-arnold-statue-john-v-mcmillan-plaza/ Block 4, Lot 51 [Explore the Map ]

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