Tragedy on the Chisholm Trail

Richard "Dick" Litton was born around 1855 in Hog Eye, now known as Elgin, TX. He was the thirteenth child of Sarah Standifer and John Litton. The Litton's came to Texas around 1829 and settled one of Stephen F. Austin's settlements before being granted land in Hog Eye. They ran a stage-line and saloon, where many wild characters came and rumblings took place. I would think Dick and his siblings witnessed some interesting things as young children. As Dick and his brothers grew up they took up the profession of cattlemen, driving cattle up the Chisholm Trail every year. One early morning the Litton's started out with a herd and left their young brother Dick to follow. By nightfall he had not caught up, and with no communication he fell out of sight. An eye witness said he was spotted at the Leon River in Belton with a man late that same afternoon. His murdered body was later found. Since Dick had no identification on him, except a ring with initials that his sweetheart had returned to him, the police gave his body to doctors as a specimen. Dick's mother assumed he was with his brothers until she read about a murder in the Galveston News and she recognized him by the initials on the ring. Officers in Elgin immediately claimed the body for her and he was buried near the west gate in South Belton Cemetery, in an unmarked grave. Dick is said to have been 17 when murdered. He had not yet married or had children. Makes me wonder about his sweetheart. Who was she and did she marry? Was she the cause for his murder or was this just the risk cattle drivers took when on the trail? A true cold case.

*Dick Litton is the second great-uncle to our good friend, Lynette Kilgore. Her great aunt, Elsie aka

"Auntie", recorded first hand knowledge of their family and the events above.

pictured left: Not Dick Litton but his younger sister, Janie Litton Harling, and family. The house is possibly the home place in Elgin. What a great image. The broom on the porch and the doll in front are superb!

pictured right: One of Dick's older brothers, James Harvey Litton. James was one of the brothers driving cattle on the Chisholm Trail.