Killough massacre

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The Killough Mas is believed to have been both the largest and last Native American depredation of white immigrants in East Texas.

The massacre took place on October 5, 1838, near Larissa (north of Jacksonville) in the northwestern part of Cherokee County. There were eighteen victims, which included Isaac Killough, Sr. and his extended family (viz. the families of four sons and two daughters). They had immigrated to Texas from Talladega County, Alabama in 1837, settling on December 24th.

According to Dallas newspaperman Charles Kilpatrick, several of the men walked into an ambush and the Native Americans then:

"...shot down Isaac, Jr., Allen, Samuel and George Wood, then swept uphill into the little settlement. Isaac, Sr., fell in his front yard and Barakias Williams was killed in front of the screaming women. Eight settlers, including seven women and children, were seized by warriors and carried into the forest. They were never seen or heard of again...Nathaniel Killough and his wife (and 11 mo. old baby girl, Eliza Jane) escaped into a canebrake and Mrs. Samuel Killough, Mrs. Isaac Killough, Sr., Mrs. Isaac Killough, Jr., and the baby William also managed to elude the redskins. Three weary days later the little party staggered into Fort Lacy at Alto, 40 miles south, where they found safety."

A stone obelisk commemorating the event was erected by the Work Projects Administration in the 1930s and a historical marker was dedicated in 1965. The site is rumored to be one of the most haunted locations in East Texas.

A man named Hawkins, an earlier settler from Alabama may have encouraged the attack. One of the survivors recognized him in Indian garb and left immediately when he realized she recognized him. He later returned to Alabama and reported the news of the attack. Later, the same survivor returned to Alabama and found out Hawkins was the first to report the attack. Gen Rusk was unable to prove his complicity in the attack.