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Hallettsville Hanging Tree LbNA #68091

Owner:Silver Eagle Supporter Verified
Plant date:Jan 30, 2015
Location: City Cemetery
City:Hallettsville
County:Lavaca
State:Texas
Boxes:1
Found by: Walksfar
Last found:May 12, 2017
Status:F
Last edited:Oct 18, 2015
*** Part of my Famous Trees Of TX Series ***
Terrain Difficulty: Easy (flat, 50 yards RT)
Recommended Ink: brown
Status: alive


Texans are fortunate to have such a rich and colorful historic heritage and trees which serve as witnesses to some of these historic events. Texas has also been blessed with trees famous for being the largest of their kind in America. "Famous Trees Of Texas" is a book written in 1970 by the Texas Forest Service that describes these trees, and this series will take you to some of them.


In the shade of this live oak, an Indian called “Pocket” was hanged in 1878 for murdering an Englishman named Leonard Hyde. On February 14, 1878, Pocket went on a rampage in Hallettsville, and at the home of Frank Edwards, Pocket proceeded to terrorize the Edwards women. Edwards knocked him down but Pocket threatened to return and kill Edwards. He galloped to the L. D. Peterson ranch where he asked to borrow a shotgun to kill some turkeys. Hyde, who was helping Peterson shuck corn, said he would go with Pocket and help kill the turkeys. Pocket got the shotgun, but told Hyde not to follow him. When Hyde persisted, Pocket shot him in the head, killing him instantly. Pocket was arrested and stood trial where a jury found him guilty and condemned him to death by hanging, thus giving this tree the name Hallettsville Hanging Tree. You can see the tree in City Park and this box in City Cemetery.

Directions:
From Hwy 90 go north on US 77 for 0.2 mile, turn left on 1st Street (FM957) for 1 block, then turn right on La Grange Street (FM 957) for 0.4 mile to Youth Center and turn left. In a few yards turn right at sign for City Park Golf Course and go about 0.2 mile to the clubhouse on the right with tree next to it. For the letterbox, go back to Hwy 90 and go east 0.8 mile to Industrial Ave and turn left. Go 0.2 mile to Cemetery Road, turn right and go 0.2 mile to last entrance to City Cemetery on the left. Drive through arch and park by the gazebo about halfway down.

Clues:
Walk NW about 40 steps to Father & Mother Thompson grave, going past left side of Patton grave. Go behind Father marker and look for LB at right side near bush under a rock and leaves.