DUANE
Duane's take
Here's how the official marker tells it — this one's about a lawman who put down roots in Ector County and never quite left. His name was Homer Robert Henderson, and before we're done, you'll know why a man like that leaves a mark on the land he rides into. He was born in Wilson County, one of twelve children born to Robert and Mary Elizabeth Henderson — O'Neal by her maiden name.
Twelve children. Think about that for just a second. That household had to run like a small county all by itself.
Maybe that's what prepared Homer for the work ahead — though I'm getting ahead of myself. In 1906, Homer came to Odessa. He didn't just wander in.
He rode in as a member of Company A, Texas Rangers, under the command of Captain J. A. Brooks.
Now, 1906 was a particular kind of moment out here in West Texas. Citizens were filing land claims, and where there's land and claims and people who want both, there's friction. The Rangers were keeping the peace through all of that, and Homer Henderson was one of the men doing the keeping.
Two years later — October 8th, 1908 — Homer married Annie Henderson right there in Odessa. He put down roots the way a man does when a place decides it's his. He ranched in the area.
And somewhere along the way, the law kept calling his name — deputy sheriff, county commissioner in Ector County, and later county commissioner over in Crane County. Texas Ranger. Deputy.
Commissioner. Twice over. Twelve siblings in Wilson County, and Homer Henderson managed to fill a room all by himself.
The land out here has a long memory, and it remembers him.
What the marker says
Texas Ranger; deputy sheriff; county commissioner in Ector and (later) in Crane County. Born in Wilson County; one of 12 children of Robert and Mary Elizabeth (O'Neal) Henderson. Came to Odessa as member of company a, Texas Rangers, under command of Capt. J. A. Brooks, in 1906. This was in period when Rangers kept the peace during citizen's filing of land claims. Married Annie Henderson here, October 8, 1908. Ranched in area.