Oliver Loving, C.S.A.

Loving's trail driving began with his son. In 1857 he sent nineteen-year-old William up the Shawnee Trail to Illinois with the family's and neighbors' cattle, a drive that cleared thirty-six dollars a head. On August 29, 1860, Loving and John Dawson started 1,500 head toward Denver, wintered them near Pueblo and sold them for gold, but Union authorities kept Loving from going home until Kit Carson and Lucien Maxwell interceded for him. When the war ended, the Confederate government reportedly owed him between $100,000 and $250,000.

What the plaque says

Oliver Loving, C.S.A. 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 contractor, furnishing meat to army commissaries. Served on 24-hour 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 grounds in 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 Crossing on the Pecos, then up the river to Indian reservations and forts in New Mexico. In 1867 on this trail, 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 county was named for him in 1887.

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Roy Orbison Museum — 26 mi
  A volunteer-run room in the oil town where Roy Orbison spent his high school years, opened on request, with a guitar he played and his tinted prescription sunglasses.

More markers nearby

• Loving County — steps away
• Mentone — steps away
• Route of Old Butterfield Stagecoach Road — 0.5 mi
• Goodnight-Loving Trail — 0.5 mi