Loving County

Formed from Tom Green County.  Created February 26, 1887.  Organized July 8, 1893.  Named in honor of Oliver Loving, 1812-1867, farmer, rancher and an early trail-driver.

Mentone, the county seat.

Erected by the State of Texas—1936

Oliver Loving, C.S.A.

(1812-1867)

            Only Texan instrumental in mapping 3 major cattle trails; Shawnee, Western and Goodnight-Loving Trails.

            Born in Kentucky.  Came to Texas 1845 to farm, haul freight, deal in cattle.  Started large Palo Pinto County Ranch in 1858, drove herd to Chicago—first time in history Texas cattle trailed to northern market in 1859 drove to Denver.

            When civil war broke out, 1861, was confederate beef contractors, furnishing meat to army commissaries.  Served on 24-housr patrol squad against Indians in frontier town of Weatherford, mapped an 1862 expedition by 300 or more Texans to wipe out depredating Indians on the home ground of Colorado, but failed to get necessary men to put this plan into action.

            After the war with Charles Goodnight, drove cattle from Palo Pinto to Horsehead Crossings on the Pecos.  Then up the river to Indian reservations and forts in New Mexico.  In 1867 on this trial, was shot by Comanches.  Crawled 5 miles chewing an old kid glove.  For food hauled at price of $250 to Fort Sumner by Mexican traders, he had wounds treated but died of gangrene.  Partner packed corpse in charcoal, hauled him to Weatherford for burial, fulfilling last wish.

Loving Count was named for him in 1887.

(1965)