History of Fort Stockton, Texas
Photos & text by Sherry E Engler
Groans of agony pierce the stillness of the moment. Heavy breathing, intermittently interrupted by a congested cough and moans of anguish, alert my attention. I hear the struggle for breathing, I hear the struggle of regret for bad deeds, and I hear the struggle for freedom. As I stand on the dirt flooring of the limestone guardhouse, near the shackles, I feel a presence of yesteryear, perhaps a presence of a mysterious domain beyond certainty. The presence I feel is a ghostly haunting, perhaps dating between 1868 and 1886, when Fort Stockton, Texas was occupied by the 9th Calvary of the US Army, specifically created for the rugged “buffalo soldiers”.
Fort Stockton was established in 1861 by Colonel Edward Hatch, commanding officer of the 9th Calvary “buffalo soldiers”. Colonel Edward Hatch was assigned to erect the fort for the protection of travelers, settlers, and pioneers who needed the treasured water at Comanche Springs for survival. Previously, Camp Stockton served the same assignment, however, it was established more to the southwest of the present-day fort and was abandoned during the Civil War. Camp Stockton was named after Commodore Robert Field Stockton, who engaged notoriety in the Mexican War. The initial reason to establish a military presence in this southern region of Texas was the draw of Comanche Springs, which at one time was the third largest spring water supplier in the state of Texas, running with a continuous and abundant supply of precious, precious water.
The guardhouse of Ft. Stockton is one of the original buildings of the old fort, completed in 1868. Large limestone blocks quarried in the nearby area constructed the holding cells of those who were confined due to improper and/or unlawful deeds, many times the soldiers themselves. In the period of these rough and rugged times, between 1868 and 1886, one can only imagine the agony of the humid summer heat and the bitterness of the cold, cold winters for those unfortunate enough to be shackled and chained.
I hear the breathing again in my mind. Perhaps, it is the breathing of Private Benjamin Miller who was charged with being drunk, creating a disturbance, and resisting an officer by obtaining the officer’s saber with the intent to use it. He was charged with “Violation of 62nd Article of War”, confined for twenty days, (ten of those spent in solitary confinement with a diet of only bread and water, with the remaining days sentenced to hard labor) and ordered to forfeit his soldier’s wages of one month. I hear his despair. I hear his regret. I feel his need for freedom.
Yet, I also hear the ghastly yells of those pursuing freedom as they perished at Comanche Springs. Ironically, Comanche Springs was considered a source of life for the valuable water needed for horses, cattle, and people to survive the arduous trips and trails, such as the Great Comanche Trail to Mexico, the Butterfield Overland Mail Route for those heading west, and those traveling the 329 miles southeast to San Antonio, or the weary travelers traveling 240 miles northwest to El Paso.
However, a great many people perished due to conflicts of territorial war over Comanche Springs. Many failed to thrive in this difficult era of history. So too did the abundant water supply of Comanche Springs. Today, the traces of Comanche Springs flows vivaciously with memories of the yesteryears but trickles with very little water. Once a drawing point for many, Comanche Springs is only a remnant of history, never to return to the vibrant supplier of water it once was. And so too are the many legacies of those who expired by violent means in the mid to late 1800s in this region of Texas. Yet, their souls perhaps linger in Fort Stockton, for I imagine I hear calls of despair raging as loud as the Comanche Springs once did.
But amidst the hardships, there were comforts in Fort Stockton, for there was the hotel and boarding house run by Annie Riggs. The original adobe structure, adorned in Victorian style was completed in 1899. Annie moved to Fort Stockton shortly after the Civil War with her family. She married at nineteen and had six children with her first husband.
After her marriage ended, in 1891, she married Barney Kemp Riggs, who many considered questionable. Ironically, Barney served time in the Yuma Territorial Prison for murder consequently because of remarks made about his first wife’s affair. While in prison, an inmate was planning to murder the warden, in which Riggs saved the warden’s life by killing the inmate. Riggs was pardoned by the Arizona governor for his heroic act. Some remarked, “Murder got him in, and murder got him out.” After this, he moved to Fort Stockton and married Annie. They had four children and acquired the hotel.
Annie gained a reputation in the early 1900s as a welcoming hostess. She was well known for her peach cobbler and homemade biscuits. With her daughters’ help, she would often serve hot meals to weary travelers and workers for thirty-five cents a meal. Being married to Barney Riggs, however, was probably at times a hardship for Annie. Known for drinking, suspicious business dealings, and at times, an ill temper, Barney would meet his demise in front of what is now the “oldest house” in Fort Stockton when he was shot by Annie’s son-in-law. Moving him quickly to the hotel for medical attention, Barney died the next day at what is now the Annie Riggs Memorial Museum.
And I hear his moans. I hear his struggle to breathe. I hear him from perhaps a ghostly realm as I stand in Annie’s parlor, in the Annie Riggs Memorial Museum. On a brighter note, I see shadows I believe to be Annie and her daughters, cooking together in harmony in the kitchen in merrier times.
This museum is a must to see. The guests’ rooms display many artifacts and relics original to Fort Stockton. One room displays the desk from Sheriff A.J. Royal, who was shot to death in 1894 while sitting at this notorious wooden piece of furniture. The top drawer on the right-hand side is pulled out to reveal a dark stain, thought to have been his blood spilled on the day of his murder. Yikes, I believe this museum has many, many ghostly attachments. I think I will TRY NOT to hear or see anything other than the reality of 2022!
Truly, Fort Stockton, Texas is an amazing historical tribute to the heroic adventures and struggles of many soldiers, pioneers, and settlers of many different ethnicities. Located on Interstate 10, between San Antonio and El Paso, Fort Stockton offers a glimpse into a fascinating, yet difficult time in history. And if you visit, stand very quiet and you too may hear whispers or catch glimpses of the ghostly phantoms of Fort Stockton. Good luck! And don’t take any apparitions home with you as many of them have somewhat questionable reputations!
May you and yours have a very safe and Happy Halloween! May someone in your family like to cook pumpkin rolls to share and remember not to eat ALL your Halloween treats in one sitting. From our house to yours, Blessings!
