Bush Knob Massacre

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 indicated otherwise, it is believed that all of the cowboys were murdered. Tradition indicates that the victims were buried at Bush Knob Cemetery. (2008)

Bush Knob Massacre is a historical marker in Throckmorton, Throckmorton County, dedicated in 2008. It is one of 4 historical markers documented in Throckmorton County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 10 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 33.0960, -99.1430 near Throckmorton. The nearest cataloged historic site is Bush Knob Cemetery (cemetery), about under a tenth of a mile away. Others within a short drive include Camp Cooper, C.S.A., Throckmorton County Courthouse and Jail, and Putnam Ranch.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5507015093. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.