Path of the Pioneers: Bastrop to Austin (Part IV)

Reuben Hornsby

On FM 969, just west of TX 130 Toll Road is the Reubon Hornsby historical marker (30.255052, -97.608493):

Reuben Hornsby 1793-1879.  First Settler in Travis County. Surveyor with Stephen F. Austin's Little Colony. He surveyed the site of this settlement in 1830. In July 1832 with his family he established his home at this place, since called Hornsby's Bend

Of the Hornsbys, Noah Smithwick wrote  (pp. 191-192)

Reuben Hornsby's place .. was the first settlement made above Bastrop. The family, consisting of Reuben, senior, and wife, Aunt Sallie; their six sons: William, Malcom, Reuben, Joseph, Daniel and Thomas, and one daughter. With them came Smith Hornsby, a brother of the elder Reuben. He was accidentally killed by one of his own party in an Indian fight. The Hornsbys built themselves a strong fort, which was several times attacked, but never carried. When there were no men on hand to defend it, Aunt Sallie was equal to the task. A party of Indians once made a demonstration of attack when all the men happened to be away. There were several families stopping in the fort, and Aunt Sallie mustered the women and, commanding them to don male attire, armed them with broom sticks and sallied forth. The Indians, surprised to find the place so well garrisoned, took to their heels, leaving Aunt Sallie and her broomstick brigade in undisputed possession. To Reuben and Sallie Hornsby and their bold and hardy sons the country owes a debt which it can never repay. Pitching their camp in the very gateway of the Indian country, they not only maintained their position, but opened their doors to all who chose to avail themselves of their hospitality. Thither in times of peril other families repaired for safety, and, if they needed it, more substantial aid was generously given.

Wilbarger (p. 8) spoke highly of Hornsby as well:

Hornsby's house was always noted for hospitality, and he, like his neighbor [Josiah] Wilbarger, was remarkable for those virtues and that personal courage which made them both marked men among the early settlers. Young men who from time to time came up to the frontier to look at the country made Hornsby's house a stopping place, and were always gladly welcomed, for it was chiefly through such visits that news from the States was obtained. A more beautiful tract of land, even now, can nowhere be found than the league of land granted to Reuben Hornsby.

The party headed by John Webster, which culminated in what is known as the Webster Massacre, began their journey here at Hornsby Bend. The trail followed by the Webster wagon train will be the subject of another blog post.

Colorado River from tip of Hornsby Bend. Notice island in river, high river banks on west side

Hornsby Cemetery

Barkley (p. 5) notes that the old cabins and fort that were Hornsby were destroyed in the early 20th century, the cemetery being the best remaining reminder of the settlements presence. 

The cemetery began with the graves of Howell Haggett and John Williams, Rangers sent to Hornsbys during the Texas revolution in 1836 to help guard Hornsby's fort. The two were scalped by Indians while working in the corn fields and buried on the spot. Thus Hornsby Cemetery began.

A 1936 Texas Centennial marker is located in the cemetery in remembrance to the two Rangers. But also to the remembrance of another Ranger, William Atkinson, and Daniel Hornsby, both killed by Indians in 1845. A span of 9 years indicating just how long Indian resistance against Anglo settlement of this area persisted.  The marker reads:

To John Williams and Howell Haggett. Killed by Indians in May, 1836 while detailed from Captain John J. Tumlinson’s company of Rangers to help protect the families of the Hornsby’s settlement on returning from the “Run Away Scrape”. 

To William Atkinson. Pioneer Ranger buried near Daniel Hornsby when both were killed by Indians June 7, 1845.

As in the J.J. Manor cemetery, notice the use of crosses around the marker designating the three Rangers, Williams, Haggett and Atkinson. Hornsby Cemetery might quite possibly have the largest number of Texas Ranger burials per capita of any cemetery in the state! Upon entering the cemetery one is struck by the number of Texas Ranger crosses.














There is a second 1936 Texas Centennial marker in the cemetery dedicated to Josephus Hornsby and his wife, Eliza Ann Lane. In the photo, the historical marker is flanked by the grave markers of Josephus (l) and his wife (r):

Josephus Hornsby. To Josephus Hornsby Mar. 15, 1822 Oct. 21, 1862. Son of Reuben Hornsby; Settled here, 1832; Bastrop Ranger, 1837. In Flores Fight, 1839. Battle of Plum Creek, 1840. Brushy Fight, 1840; Vasquez and Woll Campaigns, 1842; Led fight against Indians from whom he rescued William Bell and Alexander Coleman in Austin, 1842. 

His wife Eliza Ann Lane Feb. 14, 1830 Sept 6, 1892.

The "Brushy Fight", also known as the Battle of Brushy Creek, was between settlers and Peneteka Comanches and was discussed in more detail in conjunction with the Site of Home of Robert Coleman historical marker east of here on FM 969.

Hornsby Cemetery is a Texas Historical Cemetery

Just as cemeteries mark the locations of settlements long gone, so do they sometimes mark attitudes of times past. Next to the Hornsby Cemetery is the Cementerio Mexicano. This same segregated cemetery setup -- Anglo and Mexicano -- is also seen at Jones Cemetery on FM 969 further west.