FIRST -- Burials at Killough Cemetery,Cherokee Co. TX
N 32° 03.275 W 095° 20.572
15S E 278807 N 3548886
Isaac Killough and 18 family members, early Cherokee Co. TX pioneers killed in the worst Indian attack in East Texas, were buried here at what became Killough Cemetery
Waymark Code: WMPWCW
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 10/29/2015
Views: 7
Before the Indians attacked omn that fateful day in October, 1838, this location was Isaac Killough's cultivated farmland. Afterwards, when his body and the bodies of three of his sons were discovered here, it became the Killough family cemetery.
The WPA built this towering pyramid out of local stone over the graves of Republic of Texas-era Cherokee County pioneers Isaac Killough and his sons, who were among the 18 Killough extended family members killed by hostile Cherokee Indians in 1838.
A marble plaque inset into the base of the monument reads as follows:
"KILLOUGH INDIAN MASSACRE
Oct. 5, 1838
ISAAC KILLOUGH
ISAAC KILLOUGH, JR.
ALLEN KILLOUGH
SAMUEL KILLOUGH"
A grey granite historic marker at the end of Cherokee County Road 3431 tells the tale of a horrific day in 1838 that unfolded in this beautiful area of East Texas during the time of the Republic of Texas.
The state historic marker at the site reads as follows:
"KILLOUGH MASSACRE
In this area, on October 5, 1838, the Killough, Wood and Williams families, all relatives, were going to the fields. They were gathering crops grown in spite of Indian raids. Here less than a year, the settlers usually carried guns to the fields; but this afternoon were unarmed. Attacked suddenly, 18 pioneers were either killed or captured, never to be heard of again. 8 horseback riders escaped. The wives of Isaac Killough Sr., Isaac Jr., and Samuel Killough fled on foot, carrying a baby. On their third day of hiding, a friendly Indian saved them.
This was the largest Indian atrocity in East Texas, bodies of the victims who were found were buried here. (1965)"
FIRST - Classification Variable: Person or Group
Date of FIRST: 10/15/1838
More Information - Web URL: [Web Link]
|
Visit Instructions:As a suggestion for your visit log, please make every effort to supply a brief-to-detailed note about your experience at the Waymark. If possible also include an image that was taken when you visited the Waymark. Images can be of yourself, a personal Waymarking signature item or just one of general interest that would be of value to others. Sharing your experience helps promote Waymarking and provides a dynamic history of your adventures.