1869 Independence Day Raid

Historical marker location:

8001 Malaga, Fort Worth, Texas

( Camp Leroy Shuman. Replaced in 1987.)

Marker installed: 1984

On July 4, 1869, after gathering a herd of horses from the Fort Worth area, a group of eleven Indians rode north and west from the city. They were followed by a posse of Tarrant County men, who trailed them into Parker County. Along the way, the Indians raided the homes of several settlers and shot and scalped two travelers. Other posses began following the Indians, who slipped away on the night of July 5th, leaving behind most of the stock they had taken. Raids such as this were common on the North Texas frontier between the late 1850s and 1875. (1984).

Native American

In the late 19th century, Texas became known for its cattle drives, in which cowboys would move herds of cattle from Texas to railheads in Kansas and other northern states. The cattle drives were dangerous and difficult work, but they played a key role in the development of the American cattle industry.