Colonel John Griffith

Duane's take

Here's how the official marker tells it, and I'll do my best to do it justice. Colonel John Griffith (born 1831, died 1889) Confederate officer in the Civil War. Now, the war ended, and most men came home to find things changed.

Colonel Griffith came home to find things *gone*. The women and children of his family had fled; fled clear from Arkansas to Texas; in an open wagon. And what was pulling that wagon?

Not a pair of strong draft horses. Not even one. They had a milk cow and a one-eyed mule.

Let that sit with you a moment. Across state lines, through whatever lay between Arkansas and Texas, a milk cow and a one-eyed mule. That is either the most desperate situation you can imagine, or the most determined family you'll ever hear of.

Probably both. So there's Colonel Griffith, the war behind him, his family missing, and all of Texas ahead of him to search. Then 1866 rolls around; and here's where this story takes a turn only Texas could provide.

The missing were found because somebody recognized a mule. Near the courthouse in Comanche, that one-eyed mule came into view, and two Griffith boys were up on his back. One eye, and he gave the whole family away.

After that, the Colonel put down roots. He settled at Buffalo Gap. By 1878, he was helping to organize Taylor County.

By 1881, he'd moved on to Kimble County. The marker says he had much property, great influence; and calls him an example of those leaders who came to Texas after the war to get a new start and become outstanding citizens. A new start.

Pulled by a milk cow and a one-eyed mule, and found by the grace of that same mule standing near a courthouse. Some men arrive in Texas on horseback. Colonel John Griffith's family arrived the hard way, and stayed.

What the marker says

(1831-1889) Confederate officer in Civil War. Learned at war's end that women and children of family had fled from Arkansas to Texas in open wagon drawn by a milk cow and a one-eye mule. The missing were found in 1866, as mule was recognized near the courthouse in Comanche and 2 Griffith boys mounted him. Settled at Buffalo Gap. Helped to organize Taylor County, 1878. Moved to Kimble County, 1881. Had much property, great influence. An example of those leaders who came to Texas after war to get a new start and become outstanding citizens. (1965)