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Photograph of the Tragedy Tree
Photo Courtesy TXDoT |
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The
tragedy referred to in the tree's name was a multiple hanging. A Confederate patrol
stationed at Camp
Verde during the Civil War intercepted a group of eight well-mounted and well-equipped
Williamson County men about 10 miles South of Hondo.
Thinking they had nothing to fear, they surrendered their weapons and
rode with the soldiers toward Camp Verde to clear things up with the authorities
there.
As civilians, they were, of course, free to travel. They were
relieved of the cash they carried which collectively amounted to nearly $1,000.
This considerable sum may have had something to do with the events that followed.
While they were camped near this tree on the trip back to Camp
Verde, one or more of the Confederates suggested that the men should be hanged
for "evading Confederate service" (please see letter
below).
This pretext might have been accepted by the other
soldiers or it is possible that some of them thought it was just a prank. Horsehair
nooses were made and, if it was a scare, the Commanding Officer, one Major Anderson,
turned a blind eye and did nothing to stop the "prank" once it turned
serious.
The men were lynched one at a time while the other victims watched
and waited their turn. One man asked to be shot rather than be slowly strangled
and one of the killers complied. The ramrod was left in the musket and it pierced
the man's body - pinning it to the ground.
When the bodies were found
the next morning the ramrod was at first mistaken for an arrow and the killings
were thought to be the work of Indians. A boy accompanying the men managed to
escape, but was never heard from.
After the war, the atrocity was remembered
and referred to a tribunal. But the soldiers had all left Texas and none, including
Major Anderson, could be located for trial. |
| The
marker with the names of the victims
Photo Courtesy TXDoT |
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Another
killing - of German immigrants from Comfort
by Confederates in 1863 shows that Texas during the Civil War was indeed a dangerous
place. The German men were en route to Mexico to enlist in Federal service when
they were attacked by Confederate cavalry at the Nueces River near Brackettville.
Today in Comfort,
Texas, the (recently restored) Treue der Union (Loyalty to the Union) Memorial
was erected in 1866. But here in Bandera County, although the crime was even more
heinous, there is only the tree, the fence and a simple tombstone inscribed with
the victims names. |
| | The
marker with the names of the victims
1990s photo courtesy Ralph D. Ellis |
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Bandera Hanging Tree Forum Subject:
Bandera Hangings
Dear
Texas Escapes, I recently discovered your article on the Bandera Hanging Tree.
William Martin Sawyer is my ggg-grandfather, and I have visited the mass grave
located on what is now called "The Hanging Tree Ranch" just outside Bandera.
As a result of a Sawyer reunion in Weir, Texas, I have been contacted by another
Sawyer genealogist who spurred my interest in the family again, especially since
we attended the funeral of my grandmother's 101-year-old sister Leona (Sawyer)
Hobbs a couple of weeks ago in San Angelo.
Jason Sawyer's comments at the
end of your article were a ray of sunshine after years of fruitless research.
Attached is a photo I took of the tombstone in the 90s. Online forums such as
the one you provide are GREAT resources for us genealogists, and anything we can
do to "advertise" our kin helps others. - Ralph D. Ellis, Austin Texas, June
29, 2007
Subject:
Bandera Hangings
Ashley
Phillips wrote that she had contacted all of the families connected with the victims
except the Van Winkles. I believe Mr. Van Winkle was related to John Smart, on
Mr. Smart's mother's side. I am a Shumake descendent, but not direct from the
one lynched. Does anyone know anything about the 13 year old male? - Lois Rodgers,
Cameron, Texas, July 30, 2006, loisrodgers@tlabwileless.net
Bandera
HangingsI am
the great great great granddaughter of William Sawyer. I have always heard about
this story and was curious to know if they were leaving their families behind
to go to Mexico. I am relieved to learn that it wasn't the case.
I have
had contact with relatives of (I think) all of the other men, except for Mr. VanWinkle.
If anyone knows anything about him or William's parents, I'd love to know and
share some info. - Ashley Phillips, November 09, 2004
Assistance
please with the Bandera Hanging Tree
I was reviewing your information
regarding the Bandera Hanging tree. I noticed a contribution from Jason Sawyer.
It seems he and I have an ancestor in common. I am the great grandson of William
Sawyer.
I agree that Mr. Sawyer was on furlow or leave, and was attempting
to farm near Georgetown
Texas. As I understand it, as related to me by his grandchildren, Mr. Sawyer
was enroute with the other innocent men to Mexico to attempt to purchase good
farm stock, as there was little to be had in Texas at that time. This is why the
men were carrying a large sum of money.
I wonder also what the fate of
Major Alexander was ultimately. Did he join the union army after the war, as did
a goodly number of officers? If so, he was still no more than a common criminal
in uniform. How many others suffered at his hands directly or due to his "complacency"?
Certainly, the answers to some questions as these may never be known, but it sure
would be interesting to find some leads to what has been a cold trail. I would
at least like to find Alexander's grave. Maybe I could plant some goatheads on
it. - James Stewart, September 04, 2004
Bandera
Hangings
Dear Editor, Your article suggests that the men hanged outside
of Bandera TX, in July of 1863, were going to Mexico to avoid conscription into
the Confederate Army. I would like to point out that records indicate at least
two of the men were in the [Confederate] army and on a forty-day pass.
William M. Sawyer, my paternal great, great, grandfather, had enlisted in the
Confederate Army July 8, 1862, in Gurly's Regiment, Co. D, Texas Partisans of
the Texas Cavalry (later designated the 30th Texas Cavalry, C.S.A) His brother,
Coston J. Sawyer was also in the Texas Cavalry, Co. A, of Morgans Squadron.
These men in no way [were] guilty of any wrongdoing. They willingly gave
up their arms and agreed to accompany Major Anderson to Camp Verde, but were murdered
enroute.
Your article also fails to note that on April 24, 1866 the
State of Texas indicted Major Anderson for murder and highway robbery. Major Anderson
had of course long since disappeared.
- Sincerely, Jason Sawyer, December
08, 2003
We
thank Jason for his letter and have made appropriate corrections to the original
text. We always welcome corrections and additional information to any of our articles.
- Editor
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