Texas State Parks

Monument Hill

and Kreische Brewery State Historic Site - La Grange, Texas

Monument Hill overlooking the Colorado River
Monument Hill overlooking the Colorado River
The tomb and 48 foot monument erected in 1933
The tomb and 48 foot monument erected in 1933
Monument detail
Monument detail

Texas has a lot of what is considered "Hallowed Ground". Places where lives were sacrificed for the greater good. In most Texans minds "The Alamo" tops this list. Then there is Goliad, Texas where James W. Fannin and his men were massacred and the San Jacinto battle ground where freedom was won. But that was not the end of hostilities with Mexico. Between 1836 and 1845 during the time when Texas was an independent Republic there were several battles with the Mexican Army. Some resulted in a significant loss life.

In the Fall of 1842 Mexican General Arián Woll invaded Texas. Nicholas Dawson of La Grange organized a company of 53 men from Fayette, Gonzales and Dewitt counties and attempted to join the fray. Near San Antonio he and his men were surrounded by a large of Mexican Calvary. The ensuing battle cost Nicolas Dawson and most of his men their lives. It became known as the Dawson Massacre.

In the aftermath of the failed Mier Expedition a group of Texians that were prisoners of the Mexican army were being moved to Mexico City when they escaped. About a week later 176 men were recaptured. As punishment it was decreed that every tenth man would be executed. One hundred and seventy six beans were placed in a jar. Seventeen of the beans were black. Each man had to reach in and select a bean. Those who pulled out a black bean were to be executed. The doomed men were unshackled from their companions, placed in a separate courtyard, and shot at dusk on March 25, 1843.

In 1848 a group of Fayette county citizens went to the site of the Dawson Massacre and recovered the remains of the ones killed there. About that same time a white bean survivor and Texas Ranger Lt. John Dusenberry and his troopers risk their lives to exhume the remains of the ones executed in the Black bean incident and returned them to Texas

That same year, 1848, a site was chosen for a cemetery on a bluff overlooking the Colorado River. A small tomb was built and on September 18th, 1848 the remains of the Dawson Massacre and the Mier Expedition execution victims were buried with full military honors. The ceremony was attended by dignitaries including former president of the Republic of Texas and current senator from the State of Texas Sam Houston.

This cemetery and tomb is currently on the grounds of Monument Hill and Kreische Brewery State Historic site and is truly "Hallowed Ground".

Resources

Monument Hill and Kreische Brewery State Historic Site


© 1998 - - R. McSpadden - All rights reserved
. . . more from www.TexasBob.com
The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by Texas Bob Media Services and while we endeavor to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk. In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this website. Through this website you are able to link to other websites which are not under the control of Texas Bob Media Services. We have no control over the nature, content and availability of those sites. The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them. Every effort is made to keep the website up and running smoothly. However, Texas Bob Media Services takes no responsibility for, and will not be liable for, the website being temporarily unavailable due to technical issues beyond our control.