Old Fort Cemetery

Fort Stockton, Pecos County, Cemeteries of TX

Submitted by Eddie Cope

Location: Corner of Water Street and 8th Street, in Fort Stockton, Texas.

History: The original fort, known as Camp Stockton was established 1859 and in operation until 1861. It may not have ever had a cemetery, at least we are not aware of one. Those that died during that time, might have been buried where they fell. The fort was temporarily closed from 1861 to 1867.

The second fort, Fort Stockton established in 1867, was located about a half mile from the original site of Camp Stockton. Troops here protected the San Antonio-San Diego mail line and quelled Indian raids into Mexico on the infamous Comanche trail. A cemetery became necessary for the soldiers and civilians who settled at Fort Stockton, and the first cemetery was located quite a distance to the northeast. The army decided to move the cemetery to its present location at the intersection of Water and 8th Streets.

At that time they moved everyone from the first location to the new location. The actual site of the first cemetery is unknown. When the fort closed in 1886, all military personnel (56 soldiers) and their dependents were moved to the national cemetery closely associated with Fort Sam Houston, known as the San Antonio National Cemetery. This included soldiers of the 9th and 10th Cavalry and 24th and 25th Infantry, known as Buffalo Soldiers. Though the military abandoned the cemetery, locals did continue to use it. Among the civilians who remain in the cemetery are three prominent figures from Fort Stockton history. Barney K. Riggs, a convicted murderer and overall troublemaker who himself was murdered by his son-in-law, rests here. Keeping him company is his buddy, Sheriff A. J. Royal, a notoriously violent and disreputable lawman whose assassination is still Fort Stockton's greatest who dunnit. Early settler and mercantile owner, Herman Koehler also is buried here.

---This brief history contributed by LeAnna S. Biles, Military Sites and Survey Coordinator at the Texas Historical Commission

Civilians buried at the Old Fort Cemetery Inscriptions by John Edward Cope   Photos by Brad Newton
Lawrence J. Sweet Infant son of Lieut. O. Jay and M.E. Sweet Born Aug 28-1876 Died Dec 1, 1876	In Memory of Robert B. Neighbors Born Jan. 25, 1856 Died Nov. 23, 1904	Inez Powers Born June 12, 1883 Died Feb. 22, 1901
In memory of Barney K. Riggs Born Dec. 18, 1856 Died Apr 18, 1902		In Memory of James M. McMahan Son of B.P. and C.A. McMahan Born Feb. 9, 1873 Died Oct. 8, 1903
George Walter Johnson Born Jun. 25, 1865 Died June 8, 1903 (or 1908)	In Memory of A.J. Royal Born Nov 25, 1856 Assassinated Nov 21, 1894	Emma Lee, Beloved wife of C.M. Haughton Born Mar. 31, 1885 Died Dec. 6, 1905
Infant Son of Mr. and Mrs Oscar Roberts Born and died Mar 8, 1907	In Loving Memory of Mary Miller Sanders Beloved wife of F.M. Sanders Died Dec 10-1893	In Memory James Patric Warren Born March 9, 1884, Nolan County, Texas Died Jan 24, 1907
Andrew Roy Royal Born Jan. 28, 1893 Died Oct 26, 1898	Precious Marguerite Gray Born Jun 24, 1902 Died Sept 27, 1907	J.M. McCates Born 1893 Died 1897
Annie Louise Goff daughter of Mr. and Mrs D.B. Goff Born Jan 14, 1902 Died June 26, 1903	Anna Ruth, Infant daughter of C.M. and Emma Lee Haughton Born Oct. 4, 1905 Died Oct. 5, 1905	In memoriam, Daniel Hart, Capt. US Inf. Born March A.D. 1839 Died April 11, 1878
In Rememberance of Herman Koehler Born March 17, 1849 in Germany Died July 26, 1894 in Fort Stockton, Texas At Rest	M.E. Cope Born Aug 7, 1869 Died Oct 1, 1902 Farwell my wife and children From God Christ doth call	Robert Brainard Died May 6, 1899
		3 Cates Graves Mr & Mrs Cates is all we found of a buried tombstone. July 13, 1902 or 3
Penelope Hirst Daughter of Mr. & Mrs. R. W. E. Hirst Sr. Died Mar. 6, 1908	M. C. H. Bean Died 5-7-1896 Wife of W. B. Bean "5-7" could be May 7th, or Jul. 5th???	Mrs. Thomas Hughes Stepmother of Mrs. R. W. E. Hirst Sr. Died 1910

Needing Plot map and names and data of other people buried at this old fort cemetery. There is a wall around the cemetery, but many burials have been confirmed outside of the wall. These speculated grave sites are now marked with metal crosses.

If you have information contact Brad Newton at:
Director of Public Works
Box 1000
Fort Stockton, Texas 79735
City Cell 915 556 6474
City Email bnewton@ci.fort-stockton.tx.us
Personal pecosbrad@west-tex.net