DUANE
Duane's take
The way the marker tells it — and I'm stickin' to the marker — this is the story of David Hall Love. Born January 12, 1816, over in Tennessee. Died April 21, 1866 — and that date, you'll notice, lands on a very particular anniversary.
But we'll get to that. First, let's talk about what this man did before he was thirty years old. David Hall Love showed up at San Jacinto.
April 21, 1836. The battle that cracked the whole thing open. And while the smoke was still hanging in the air, Love and eleven comrades — twelve men total — went out and captured two hundred and twenty enemy soldiers.
Two hundred and twenty. Twelve men. You can do the math in your head, and it only gets more impressive.
Then General Sam Houston himself gave the order, and the very next day, Love walked — walked — to Harrisburg carrying the news of Texas's victory. Not rode. Walked.
Sometimes the most dramatic thing a man can do is put one foot in front of the other when it matters most. For that military service, he was granted six hundred and forty acres of bounty land. Now here's where it gets interesting: from that land — his land, earned in blood and boot leather — he later donated the townsite of Fairfield.
Beyond all that, he held offices in his church, served as precinct justice, married twice, and raised eight children. A Tennessee native who planted himself deep in Freestone County soil. David Hall Love.
Died on the same date as his greatest day — April 21st — thirty years apart. Some stories just know how to close a door.
What the marker says
(January 12, 1816 - April 21, 1866) A Texas War for Independence veteran. At Battle of San Jacinto, April 21, 1836, he and 11 comrades captured 220 enemy soldiers, and on orders of Gen. Sam Houston he walked next day to Harrisburg with news of Texas victory. For military service he was granted 640 acres of bounty land, from which he later donated Fairfield townsite. He held offices in his church and as precinct justice. A native of Tennessee, he was married twice; had 8 children.