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Some versions have additional data.
* Note Head Stone ( upper left)
Head Stone Commemorates Ben Sublett
Ben Sublett Historical Marker located 220 N. Grandview Blvd.
Biography by Patrick Dearen
Story by J. Frank Dobie
William C. ( Ben ) Sublett . Born: 9/25/1838; Died 1/5/1892.
The Legend of "Old Ben" Sublett's Gold, truth or fiction? Sublett came in the early 1880's in an old wagon with his pretty daughter, Jennie, his son, Ross, and faithful dog, Pete. He built a dug-out shelter on a 160-acre claim near the section house.
Old Ben had tried his hand prospecting for gold in the Rocky Mountains and searching for the "Lost Dutchman Mine" in Arizona. He went from there to the Texas Guadalupes.
Sublett was the first "town character." He left town frequently on prospecting trips, supposedly to the Guadalupes. The railroad workers and good women of the town saw that his family didn't go hungry. He didn't provide for them much better when he was here. He frequented the saloons and did odd jobs; "witching" for water, collecting bones and day work on the railroad to make a grub stake to go back to the mountains.
Then, one day he came into the saloon and tossed a bag of gold nuggets on the bar and bought drinks for the house. He also promised his family the moon.
He made several more trips of 3 or 4 days duration and brought back nuggets each time. Nobody knew where he went; he wasn't gone long enough to get to the Guadalupes on
mule back. Townspeople tried to bribe him with both whiskey and cash to disclose the location of his treasure, but he wouldn't tell. He didn't even tell his own son.
He died in January, 1892, leaving less than $50 in gold nuggets under his pillow in a buckskin sack. He was buried in Odessa Cemetery.
"Old Ben's" son searched for the cache for years. "Authentic" maps appeared off and on and individuals and groups made frequent treasure hunts.
The Head Stone is located in the Marr Family Plot! |
* Upper Right Image, (Sunset
Memorial Gardens) Grave Site of
Homer Robert Henderson
(February 24, 1881-April 8, 1963) Texas Ranger, deputy sheriff, county commissioner in Ector and (later) in Crane County.
Born in Wilson County; one of 12 children of Robert and Mary Elizabeth (O'Neal) Henderson.
Came to Odessa as member of Company A, Texas Rangers, under command of Capt. J. A.
Brooks, in 1906. This was in period when Rangers kept the peace during citizens' filing of land claims. Married Annie Henderson here, October 8, 1908. Ranched in area.
(1967)
Updated:
05/23/07
Click
here for Image of Historical Marker
ABBREVIATIONS
USED:
CSA
- Confederate States
Army
Dau
- Daughter
M
- Married
WOW -
Woodmen of the World
WW
- World War
( )
- Maiden/Former Name
“
”
-
Nickname or Headstone Inscription
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