Reading Wood Black

Black's killing came out of Reconstruction politics. Elected as a Unionist in 1866, he went to the legislature that August and argued for ratifying the Fourteenth Amendment, warning that Texas's refusal would be read as disloyalty to the Union. In September 1867 he tried to organize a Union League in Uvalde. His former friend G. W. (Tom) Wall took that as disloyalty to Texas and the South, and on the morning of October 3 murdered Black in his own store in front of several witnesses. Wall fled to Mexico and never returned.

What the plaque says

Reading Wood Black (Sept. 23, 1830 - Oct. 3, 1867) A native of New Jersey, Reading Wood Black founded the town of Encino (later renamed Uvalde) in 1855. The following year he was instrumental in the formation of Uvalde County. An active civic leader and supporter of education, Black served as county judge, county commissioner, and state representative. As a result of his opposition to secession, he was led to live in Mexico during the Civil War. Black was killed in Uvalde at the age of 37. Recorded - 1983.

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Briscoe-Garner Museum — 1.4 mi
  The Uvalde house of John Nance Garner, the vice president who made the office a power in Congress, now a free museum to him and to Governor Dolph Briscoe.
• Uvalde Grand Opera House — 1.7 mi
  An 1891 Victorian opera house on the Uvalde square with a turret and a dragon weathervane, once owned by John Nance Garner and still staging volunteer theater upstairs.
• Fort Inge Historical Site — 3.2 mi
  A county park on the Leona River below a 140-foot volcanic plug, where an army post guarded the new road to El Paso from 1849 to 1869 and Texas Rangers camped after.

More markers nearby

• John Nance Garner — steps away
• Pat Garrett — 0.5 mi
• Judge John Nance Garner — 1.4 mi
• King Fisher — 1.5 mi