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History in
a Pecan Shell
The community only
consisted of a few people and even fewer buildings. It did manage
to have a post office from 1879 to 1882 (which is probably the reason
for its inclusion on the map
shown). It was on the property of Richard Coffey, a former Texas Ranger
who had moved here from Georgia after first settling in Parker
County.
Coffey, wearing long hair and a buffalo robe, was straight out of
central casting. He suffered great losses of cattle from Indian raids
but eventually owned property that straddled the Runnels
/ Coleman County
line. In the late 1860s, he moved near the Concho River where it met
the Colorado. His Flat Top Ranch covered land in Coleman
County as well as Runnels
and Concho.
At one point, he and his men traveled as far as present-day Crane
County to retrieve salt for cattle and settlers back home. Coffey
was the model for a minor character in a novel, but it’s clear that
his name would have recognition today had he kept a diary or had a
proper biographer. He was buried in Paint
Rock, Texas in 1897. |
Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories,
landmarks and recent or vintage photos, please contact
us. |
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