Part of our in-depth series exploring Texas Forest Trail Region Forts
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Drummond, J.A., Farm Home | Hastings, Capt. F. Marion | Ripley Massacre | Rutherford Drugstore
Drummond, J.A., Farm Home
Marker Title: J.A. Drummond Farm Home
City: Hopewell
County: Franklin
Year Marker Erected: 1963
Marker Text: Application: Built between 1854 and 1857. This house and farm have been in the same family since the house was built. The shutters, outside columns, and porch banisters are original and are in excellent condition. (1963)
Hastings, Capt. F. Marion
Marker Title: Capt. F. Marion HastingsCity: Mt. Vernon
County: Franklin
Year Marker Erected: 1970
Marker Location: take SH 37 about 5 mi. south to FM 900, go west about 2 mi. to CR 3170, go south to Pleasant Hill Cemetery
Marker Text: (Nov. 17, 1823 - April 25, 1905) Confederate veteran. Enlisting in 1861, Dade County, Mo., served under Generals Sterling Price, Joseph O. Shelby, J. S. Marmaduke, in raids in Missouri, Arkansas and Louisiana. Surrendered June 13, 1865, at Shreveport. Moved to Texas in October 1865. Was a Franklin County commissioner, 1877-1881; county judge, 1886-1890. He married Harriet J. Irby of Yalobusha County, Mississippi. They had six children. (1970)
Ripley Massacre
Marker Title: Ripley MassacreCity: Mt. Vernon
County: Franklin
Year Marker Erected: 1986
Marker Location: US 67 at Ripley Creek Crossing, 4 mi. east of Mt. Vernon
Marker Text: Ambrose Ripley and his wife Rachel (Wood) brought their family to Texas in 1837, settling near here in what was then Red River County. They established their home near the Nacogdoches Road (Cherokee Trace) and a stream now known as Ripley Creek. On April 10, 1841, while Ripley was away, a band of Indians attacked his farmstead, killing first his eldest son who was plowing in the field. Mrs. Ripley and five children were killed trying to reach a canebreak and one infant died when the house was burned. Two of Ripley's daughters eluded the Indians and made it to a neighboring farm. Charles Black and Charles S. Stewart led a group of settlers north in pursuit of the band. Near the Sulphur River, they encounteNative Americans, who may or may not have been involved in the massacre, and attacked them, killing several. The Ripley family massacre was an isolated incident in this area, but it proved to be a rallying point for increased frontier defenses and for support of the anti-Indian policies of Texas President Mirabeau B. Lamar. The attack also influenced the formation of a militia unit under the leadership of Gen. Edward H. Tarrant and Cols. James Bourland and William C. Young to rid the area of Indians. Texas Sesquicentennial 1836 - 1986
Rutherford Drugstore
Marker Title: Rutherford DrugstoreAddress: 101 Houston St.
City: Mt. Vernon
County: Franklin
Year Marker Erected: 1974
Marker Location: at Main St.
Marker Text: Oldest business in Mt. Vernon, opened in 1869 by John Griffith Lock Rutherford (1851-1936), Texas-born great grandson of American Revolution general for whom a Tennessee county was named. Young Rutherford began by handling a small line of drugs in the Ruth Pattillo & Co. Mercantile store, went into store of his own at present site in 1877. Postmaster of the town (Lone Star, renamed Mt. Vernon), 1874-82, he seems to have housed post office in store. Son Griffith Wright Rutherford carried on business after 1914. Now in second century, an heir retains interest in the store. (1974)