Houston Roberts

This Houston might be the same as that Houston.

First to be buried in Goldthwaite Cemetery ---

Even though there are graves on the land before Mr. Roberts was killed, he is considered the first person buried in the cemetery. According to the article titled, "The Goldthwaite Cemetery" in Flora Gatlin Bowles Book "A No Man's Land Becomes a County", Page 89 (Austin: Steck, 1958), The Goldthwaite cemetery location and purchase was finally made when Mr. James, a nephew of Houston Roberts, wanted to bury his uncle in the Goldthwaite Cemetery.

The land was purchased from a Mr. Hearne and they laid Mr. Roberts to rest as the first person to be buried there. Mr. Roberts was killed by the Mob on March 12, 1888 and buried on March 13th. (NOTE: A Louis Davenport was arrested March 18, 1888 for the Murder of Houston Roberts and a Tom Murphy was identified as being with Louis Davenport)

A No Man’s Land Becomes a County by Flora Gatlin Bowles pg.76

In 1883, Mr Phil H. Clements was in the drug business at Williams Ranch during the time the mob had reached the height of its greatest activities. One morning a man who had friends on both sides whispered to him to meet him at a certain location three miles out on the Brownwood Road at a specified time. They met as agreed. The man told Mr. Clements that the mob planned to kill Henry Atkinson, Houston Roberts, and Mr. Renfro that night. 

He wanted Mr. Clements to send a runner to notify the three men so they could hide out. Atkinson and Roberts lived just west of Pecan Bayou and Mr. Renfro west of them at Regency. The runner was dispatched and a killing was avioded that night. But the mob was to get Mr. Roberts later.

Several months later Mr. Roberts was out in his field overseeing some plowing done by his eldest son, Wood, and two younger boys. At a time when the boys plowed to the opposite side of the field from where Mr. Roberts was observing the plowing, a shot rang out from behind the rail field fence killing Mr. Roberts instantly. No one was ever identified in connection with the crime.

Date of death has also been (erroneously?) reported to be:

• March 21, 1888
• March 22, 1888

links

• http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=17790502