T. J. Faught
Snyder, Scurry County, Texas
Marker Inscription
(April 22, 1847-August 2, 1912) Settled in 1879 as a rancher in northeast Scurry County. In 1884, six months after county organization, the first sheriff resigned in disgust. Faught was appointed, serving remainder of that term plus three more. As sheriff, he never wore a gun. Faught was also a leading citizen of Snyder. He built a hall for the Masonic Lodge, of which he was a charter member. Faught Street (now 27th Street) was named in his honor. (Recorded--1968)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
T. J. Faught arrived in newly settled Scurry County as a rancher in 1879 and, when the county's first sheriff quit in disgust, took up the badge and held it for four terms โ famously never wearing a gun. A Masonic charter member who built the lodge's hall, he became one of Snyder's leading citizens, with a downtown street named in his honor.
Why it matters
Faught's career reflects how respected settlers stitched together law and civic institutions in the raw ranching counties of frontier West Texas.
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Related people
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Themes & tags
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