Loyal Valley, Texas
Encyclopedia
Loyal Valley is an unincorporated farming and ranching community
, established in 1858, and is 6 miles (9.7 km) north of Cherry Spring
in the southeastern corner of Mason County
, in the U.S. state
of Texas
. The community is located near Cold Spring Creek, which runs east for 7.5 miles (12.1 km) to its mouth on Marschall Creek in Llano County
, just west of Loyal Valley . The community is located on the old Pinta Trail.
Current population is 50. Elevation 1522 feet (464 m).
immigrants from Fredericksburg
, including Henry and Christian Keyser, John Kidd, and a Mr. Gertsdorff. It was also a stagecoach stop on the route between San Antonio and the western forts.
The community received a post office in 1868, and Solomon Wright was the first postmaster.
John O. Meusebach
moved to Loyal Valley after the New Braunfels
tornado of September 12, 1869 destroyed his home there. According to Meusebach's granddaughter Irene Marschall King, he named the area for his personal loyalty to the Union that he had maintained during the American Civil War
. He operated a general store and stage stop. Meusebach was appointed justice of the peace, notary public and served as the community’s second postmaster in 1873. His daughter Lucy Meusebach Marschall was postmaster in January 1887, and his wife Agnes became postmaster in August 1887.
Meusebach brokered the Meusebach-Comanche Treaty
in 1847, making area settlers safe from Comanche raids. However, Kiowa
, and Apache
depredations were still committed against the settlers. During the 1870’s, settlers from neighboring communities relocated to Loyal Valley for safety.
The most famous white captive of the area was Herman Lehmann
, son of Augusta and Moritz Lehmann. Philip Buchmeyer (or Buchmeier) was the second husband of the widowed Augusta Lehmann, and stepfather to her sons Herman and Willie. The Buchmeyers ran a hotel and saloon, which later was owned by Charlie Metcalf. Philip Buchmeyer built a one-room stone structure school-church, which was still standing as of 1980.
sought revenge. Cooley and his desperadoes, which included Johnny Ringo
, created a reign of terror over the area. It was during this episode that Ringo committed his first murder, that of James Cheyney.
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
, established in 1858, and is 6 miles (9.7 km) north of Cherry Spring
Cherry Spring, Texas
Cherry Spring is an unincorporated farming and ranching community established in 1852 in Gillespie County, in the U.S. state of Texas. It is located on Cherry Spring Creek, which runs from north of Fredericksburg to Llano. The creek was also sometimes known as Cherry Springs Creek by residents...
in the southeastern corner of Mason County
Mason County, Texas
Mason County is a county located on the Edwards Plateau in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2010, its population was 4, 012. Its county seat is Mason...
, in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. The community is located near Cold Spring Creek, which runs east for 7.5 miles (12.1 km) to its mouth on Marschall Creek in Llano County
Llano County, Texas
Llano County is a county located on the Edwards Plateau in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2010, its population was 19, 301. Its county seat is Llano, and the county is named for the Llano River....
, just west of Loyal Valley . The community is located on the old Pinta Trail.
Current population is 50. Elevation 1522 feet (464 m).
Settlers and Community
Loyal Valley was settled in 1858 by GermanGerman Texan
German Texan is an ethnic category that includes residents of the state of Texas with German ancestry who identify with the term. This identification may include cultural agreements—German language, German cuisine, feasts, music, hard work, frugality, and close family ties. From their first...
immigrants from Fredericksburg
Fredericksburg, Texas
Fredericksburg is the seat of Gillespie County, in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2010 Census estimate, the city had a population of 10, 530...
, including Henry and Christian Keyser, John Kidd, and a Mr. Gertsdorff. It was also a stagecoach stop on the route between San Antonio and the western forts.
The community received a post office in 1868, and Solomon Wright was the first postmaster.
John O. Meusebach
John O. Meusebach
John O. Meusebach , born Baron Otfried Hans von Meusebach, was at first a Prussian bureaucrat, later an American farmer and politician who served in the Texas Senate, District 22.-Early years:John O...
moved to Loyal Valley after the New Braunfels
New Braunfels, Texas
New Braunfels is a city in Comal and Guadalupe counties in the U.S. state of Texas that is a principal city of the metropolitan area. Braunfels means "brown rock" in German; the city is named for Braunfels, in Germany. The city's population was 57,740 as of the 2010 census, up 58% from the 2000...
tornado of September 12, 1869 destroyed his home there. According to Meusebach's granddaughter Irene Marschall King, he named the area for his personal loyalty to the Union that he had maintained during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. He operated a general store and stage stop. Meusebach was appointed justice of the peace, notary public and served as the community’s second postmaster in 1873. His daughter Lucy Meusebach Marschall was postmaster in January 1887, and his wife Agnes became postmaster in August 1887.
Meusebach brokered the Meusebach-Comanche Treaty
Meusebach-Comanche Treaty
The Meusebach-Comanche Treaty was a treaty between the private citizens of the Fisher-Miller Land Grant in Texas , who were predominantly German in nationality, and the Penateka Comanche Tribe. The treaty was officially recognized by the United States government...
in 1847, making area settlers safe from Comanche raids. However, Kiowa
Kiowa
The Kiowa are a nation of American Indians and indigenous people of the Great Plains. They migrated from the northern plains to the southern plains in the late 17th century. In 1867, the Kiowa moved to a reservation in southwestern Oklahoma...
, and Apache
Apache
Apache is the collective term for several culturally related groups of Native Americans in the United States originally from the Southwest United States. These indigenous peoples of North America speak a Southern Athabaskan language, which is related linguistically to the languages of Athabaskan...
depredations were still committed against the settlers. During the 1870’s, settlers from neighboring communities relocated to Loyal Valley for safety.
The most famous white captive of the area was Herman Lehmann
Herman Lehmann
Herman Lehmann was captured as a child by Native Americans. He lived first among the Apache and then the Comanche but eventually returned to his family later on in his life. The phenomenon of a "white boy" raised by "Indians" made him a notable figure in the United States...
, son of Augusta and Moritz Lehmann. Philip Buchmeyer (or Buchmeier) was the second husband of the widowed Augusta Lehmann, and stepfather to her sons Herman and Willie. The Buchmeyers ran a hotel and saloon, which later was owned by Charlie Metcalf. Philip Buchmeyer built a one-room stone structure school-church, which was still standing as of 1980.
Mason County Hoo Doo War
In 1875, the Mason County Hoo Doo War erupted over cattle rustling and those who took the law into their own hands. Armed bands raided settlements spreading fear and unrest. John O. Meusebach was shot in the leg during a raid of his store. In the midst of the war, Loyal Valley home owner Tim Williamson was murdered by a dozen masked vigilantes who accused him of cattle theft. Williamson’s adopted son Texas Ranger Scott CooleyScott Cooley
Scott Cooley was an Old West Texas Ranger and later outlaw, best known for his association with gunman Johnny Ringo.-Biography:Cooley was born in Texas, and was unofficially adopted as a boy and raised by rancher Tim Williamson...
sought revenge. Cooley and his desperadoes, which included Johnny Ringo
Johnny Ringo
John Peters "Johnny" Ringo was an outlaw Cowboy of the American Old West who was affiliated with Ike Clanton and Frank Stilwell in Cochise County, Arizona Territory during 1881-1882.-Early life:...
, created a reign of terror over the area. It was during this episode that Ringo committed his first murder, that of James Cheyney.
See also
- Cherry Spring, TexasCherry Spring, TexasCherry Spring is an unincorporated farming and ranching community established in 1852 in Gillespie County, in the U.S. state of Texas. It is located on Cherry Spring Creek, which runs from north of Fredericksburg to Llano. The creek was also sometimes known as Cherry Springs Creek by residents...
- Cherry Springs Dance HallCherry Springs Dance HallCherry Springs Dance Hall, is one of the oldest and most historic dance halls in Texas. It is located at 17662 North U.S. Highway 87, Cherry Springs, TX 78624. miles NW of Fredericksburg, Texas in Gillespie County's portion of the Texas Hill Country is the Texas farming community of Cherry Spring...
- Doss, TexasDoss, TexasDoss is an unincorporated farming and ranching community at the crossroads juncture of FM 783 and FM 648 in northwestern Gillespie County, Texas, United States. It is 19 miles NW of Fredericksburg and 14 miles NW of Harper. Postal zip code is 78618. Elevation is 1729 feet.*The U.S...
- Fredericksburg, TexasFredericksburg, TexasFredericksburg is the seat of Gillespie County, in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2010 Census estimate, the city had a population of 10, 530...
- German TexanGerman TexanGerman Texan is an ethnic category that includes residents of the state of Texas with German ancestry who identify with the term. This identification may include cultural agreements—German language, German cuisine, feasts, music, hard work, frugality, and close family ties. From their first...
- Sisterdale, TexasSisterdale, TexasSisterdale, Texas, is an unincorporated farming and ranching community, established in 1847 and located north of Boerne in Kendall County, in the U.S. state of Texas. The community is located in the valley of Sister Creek. The current 2010 population is 25...
- Texas Hill CountryTexas Hill CountryThe Texas Hill Country is a vernacular term applied to a region of Central Texas featuring tall rugged hills consisting of thin layers of soil atop limestone or granite. It also includes the Llano Uplift and the second largest granite monadnock in the United States, Enchanted Rock, which is located...