The records shown here were originally published in the a 3 volume set, Coleman County Cemeteries Inscriptions, and were copied and compiled by Vena Bob Gates, Judia Terry and Ralph Terry, and were published in 1988 by Terry Studio, P. O. Box 958, Coleman, Texas 76834, and was copyrighted 1988 by Ralph Terry.  All rights are reserved, including any reproduction for profit.  Copies of the published works, Coleman County Cemeteries Inscriptions (published in 1988) can be purchased from Ralph Terry at the above address.

       This old abandoned cemetery has been called Trap Crossing Cemetery, Boot Hill Cemetery, and Padgitt Ranch Cemetery.  It is located about one mile southwest of Leaday on part of the old Day Ranch, on a bluff overlooking Grape Creek, about a quarter mile east of Trap Crossing on the Colorado River.  It is abandoned and very overgrown.

       During cattle drive days of the 1870's, cowboys stopped over at the stores on either side of the Colorado, the Trap store being on the Coleman County side.  Some may have died in gunfights, drowning, or natural causes.  One source states there are 75 men buried there.  According to a manuscript done by the late James Padgitt, "...perhaps also children of pioneers and victims of Indian attacks, the graves dating from the early '70's or before.  The last man buried there was a Mexican ranch hand who died from a kick by an unruly horse."  In our survey of this cemetery, we noted at least 25 and possibly more rock marked graves.  It was not thought that any legible markers remained here, but in 1979, Frank Jenkins, late historian of Runnels County, found two stones (see below), which are now thought to be at the Padgitt Ranch House.

       Due to the flooding of this area soon to be caused by the Stacy Lake, these graves are scheduled to be moved to the Leaday Cemetery either by Stevens Funeral Home or archaeologists working in this area.

HILL, John F. - Aug 25, 1860 - Oct 14, 1879
MARKHAM, Etta - May 19, 1873 - Jan 8, 1878

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