STANDIFER'S THICKET

KENT COUNTY, TEXAS

I think it was Bill O'Neal, noted western historian, who called Billy Standifer's grave "The Loneliest Grave in West Texas." It was O'Neal who wrote "The Bloody Legacy of Pink Higgins," and Pink was the one who caused this grave to exist.

This gravesite is one small piece of the legacy of Higgins, who was a "cowboy, rancher, stock detective," and of necessity, a gunfighter. His story begins in Lampasas County, Texas during the Reconstruction period following the Civil War, and entails the Higgins - Horrell feud.

John Calhoun Pinkney Higgins and others homesteaded land in this remote northwest corner of Kent County, Texas. My grandfather, Ambrose Brantner's little place was a few miles east of Pink's place. Uncle Eugene and Aunt Ruth Brantner Fry's place was to the north.

Pink Higgins and Billy Standifer had both worked for the Espuela Land and Cattle Company (the "Spurs") as cattle detectives - range riders whose job was to contain the theft of cattle. Pink and Billy were also neighbors. They got crossways with each other and this climaxed in a pasture duel with Winchester rifles. Pink won.

I've already done this great story a disservice with these few words. I recommend O'Neal's book, above. Additionally, Frederick Nolan, acclaimed authority on New Mexico's Lincoln County War and the life of Billy the Kid, has also written "Bad Blood - The Life and Times of the Horrell Brothers," that primarily covers the Horrell saga in New Mexico.

I first visited the Standifer grave in 2002. These pictures were taken June 5, 2010 during my annual trek to the historic Red Mud Cemetery's annual reunion in this Dickens County community.

Directions: From Ranch Road 261 (in the southwest corner of Dickens County), turn south on CR 245 just east of the White River Bridge (GPS: 33.407371,-101.050514). This very sandy road roughly follows the White River into Kent County, sometimes bisecting the Garza County line. Follow this road (which will become CR 395) 3.7 miles to left at a fork in the road. Continue 1.6 miles (5.3 miles total) to the sign on the left, (GPS: 33.34918,-101.02234). The grave is a short distance into the Morrison pasture.


Note: My camera began "leaking" a pinkish tint onto these pictures.


1006022 - Looking south, the sandy County Road is seen in the background.
Behind the sign is the lane leading east to the grave.
The distance is more like 100 feet.



1006018 - The lane makes a circle at the at the grave,
as seen in this backside view, looking west toward the road.



1006015 - Standing in the lane looking southeast



1006016 - Side view.



1006017 - Another view of the back of the stone, looking west.



1006014 - "The Loneliest Grave in West Texas"



1006019 - Near the grave, looking north

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