Rude, Mr. and Mrs. Isaac J.

On way to California from Tennessee in the 1850's Isaac J. and Sarah Isabella Rude settled in West Texas. In Davis Mountains, Rude built and operated a station for the Butterfield Overland Stage; here passengers had meals while mules were unharnessed and exchanged for a fresh team. Soon Butterfield--the pioneer passenger and mail service (1858-1861) from St. Louis to California--had Rude move here to Ft. Stockton and build another stand. In 1859, when a stop was added at Leon water hole, 5 miles west of Ft. Stockton, Rude built and ran the stand there. Food there was best on the route, said a journalist. Sarah Rude (1834-1916) carried a pistol under her apron, to protect her children. When Indians attacked the Davis Mountains stand, the men loaded guns and handed them to Mrs. Rude--a calm, sure marksman. Just over 5 ft. tall, she butchered and skinned beeves to feed her family, when her husband was away. After stages stopped operating in 1861, Isaac Rude, like others associated with the Overland Mail, joined the Confederate army. Later he became a prosperous businessman in McKinney. Born in 1829, he died in 1902.

Rude, Mr. and Mrs. Isaac J. is a historical marker in Ft. Stockton, Pecos County, dedicated in 1967. It is one of 26 historical markers documented in Pecos County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 42 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 30.8994, -103.0171 near Ft. Stockton. The nearest cataloged historic site is First Telephone Exchange (historical marker), about 7.9 miles away. Others within a short drive include St Joseph's Catholic, Fort Cemetery, Old, and Fort Stockton.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5371004033. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.