Fergus Ranch Historical Background

The surface land of the Fergus Ranch consists of rock and soil from the Cretaceous Period (144 to 65 million years ago). This was the last period in which dinosaurs roamed the earth. Fossils from this period are prevalent on the ranch, especially along the stream beds.

Indians

The first Amerinds or Indians arrived in North America as early as 70,000 years ago. By the time the Spanish settled Texas, the Fergus Ranch property was on the northern part of the Tonkawa tribe's Range. The Tonkawas (People of the Wolf) were hunter / gathers who lived on game including deer, still plentiful on the ranch today, as well as buffalo and small game. The Tonkawas used extensive tattoos to decorate their faces and bodies. They also had a reputation for canabalism, often eating the hands and feet of captives. By the early 1600's the Comanche Indians along the eastern slopes of the Rockies had obtained horses. The Comanches quickly saw the benefits of horses as transportation versus a new food source. They quickly learned to breed and ride, ultimately becoming the world-class riders. As a result the Comanches were able to quickly travel great distances and attack their neighbors. Comanche pressure soon forced the Apache Indians of West Texas to migrate eastward. This in turn pressured the more peaceful Tonkawa tribe.

By 1750, the Apaches had migrated southward, and Tonkawas then found themselves pressured directly by the Comanches. Consequently the Tonkawas allied themselves first with the Spanish and later with the Austin colonists, functioning primarily as scouts. In the mid-1800's, settlers stole horses from a band of Tonkawas. The Tonkawas retaliated and, consequently were forcefully moved to a reservation in north Texas, and later to Oklahoma.

The Austin Colony

The Fergus Ranch lies within the northern section granted to the Austin Colony by the Spanish government in Mexico City in 1821. By 1822 settlers were arriving from the US. being only required to become a Spanish citizen, swear an oath of loyalty to Spain, and become a Roman Catholic. Some 298 grants of land were made by Austin. Although the Fergus Ranch is situated within the northern Austin empresario land grant, it does not appear that the land was among any of the grants made by Stephen F. Austin to the early settlers (old 300).

The Settlers

Once Texas achieved its independence in 1836, the land of today's Fergus Ranch was held by state of Texas. In June, 1874 two parcels of the current ranch was granted to Lewis Riddle. Also in June, 1874, a 160 acre tract was granted to C. T. Bourland. C. T. Bourland may have been related to Capt. James Bourland who served as a Texas Ranger in 1858-59, as it was common for the state of Texas to reward Rangers and veterans with land. Another portion was granted to C. N. Paul in 1876. Perhaps the most historically interesting portion of the current ranch is a small lot that was granted as a part of a 28 acre parcel to two lawyers (G. R. Freeman and D. C. Freeman). These gentlemen successfully pursued a bounty claim on behalf of the heirs of Joseph Washington (1808-1836) who died defending the Alamo. They were successful in getting the state of Texas to part with a total of 4200 acres, apparently in various locations. By prior agreement with the heirs, the Freeman brothers were given half of the 4200 acres. Part of the lawyer's portion of the grant was a 28 acres parcel. The lawyers promptly sold the 28 acres to Mollie K. Rucker, wife of Peter G. Rucker. Today 6 acres of the original 28 acres are located on the extreme northwest corner of the Furgus ranch.

Marvin V. Fergus

Marvin V. Fergus was born in 1896 to Martin Van Buren Fergus and Margaret Blair Fergus, who had moved to Killeen from their farm near Temple, Texas. He was a Private in the 44th Engineer Company in WW I, serving in France from 1918 to 1919. He was a cashier at the First National Bank of Killeen between 1928 and 1939. When he left the bank, he opened a Ford dealership in Killeen and another in Temple in 1940. Mr. Fergus help organize the Killeen Chamber of Commerce in 1928, serving as its first President. In addition he organized both the John Q. Adams and Bob Gray posts of the VFW in Killeen. James Fergus, his great-grandfather served in American Revolution in South Carolina where he fought at the battle of Cowpens. In 1949, Mr. Fergus bought the Fergus Ranch from B. E. Ware. While portions of the ranch have been sold through the years, the remaining 289 acres represents the largest and perhaps most pristine part.