Marker Inscription
On New Year's Day, 1871, Indian raiders who had stolen horses in Coleman County were pursued and overtaken here by 18 Texas Rangers and cowboys. Leaders of the group were Captain James. M. Swisher and rancher Sam Gholson. The Indians took refuge in the heights west of Mountain Pass. The ensuing battle lasted all day, and at nightfall the raiders left the horses and fled. Of the fewer than one dozen Indians, one was killed, several wounded. One cowboy was wounded and another, J. M. Elkins, recorded the battle in his book, "Indian Fighting on the Texas Frontier." (1968)
About this site
Indian Fight, Vicinity of is a historical marker in Merkel, Taylor County, dedicated in 1968. It is one of 49 historical markers documented in Taylor County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 129 historic sites cataloged across the county.
The site sits at 32.3987, -99.9721 near Merkel. The nearest cataloged historic site is Castle Peak (historical marker), about under a tenth of a mile away. Others within a short drive include Rose Hill, Drummond Cemetery, and Merkel Area Historical Museum.
This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5441005646. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.
