Colonel Wm. Edgar Hughes of the Mill Iron

= [Mill Iron brand] Born 1840. Came from Illinois to Texas, 1859. During Civil War rose from private, 1st Texas Artillery, to Colonel in 16th Cavalry. Was in bloody battles of Shiloh, Chickamauga, Nashville, Richmond. After war, when "didn't have 2 pairs of pants", taught school and read law in Weatherford. As lawyer, took many land cases. In 7 years became organizer and president, City Bank of Dallas (now 1st National, Dallas). Later, an officer in Exchange Bank, Dallas; Union Trust Co., St. Louis; Continental Trust Co., Denver. In 1880, bought half interest in Mill Iron Ranch. Purchased small holdings from Pease to Red River -- Bridle Bits, DV's, Diamond D's and others. Range lay in Childress, Cottle, Hall, Motley counties. In 1885 added windmills, wells, to run larger herds-up to 50,000. In early years used dugouts, chuckwagons for headquarters. First small ranch house was built at Windmill 62, near Estelline. Bought out Rocking Chair Ranch, Collingsworth County, 1896. Until 1898, ran only longhorns. Was said to have had the largest men, most practical jokers, longest cattle drives, biggest horses in Texas. He sold off the last Mill Iron herd in 1918 -- year of his death. (1965)

Colonel Wm. Edgar Hughes of the Mill Iron is a historical marker in Childress, Childress County, dedicated in 1965. It is one of 8 historical markers documented in Childress County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 17 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 34.4264, -100.2049 near Childress. The nearest cataloged historic site is Childress County (historical marker), about under a tenth of a mile away. Others within a short drive include Childress Post Office Building, Palace Theater, and Goodnight Trail.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5075000968. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.