Taylor County, TX - Obituary - Captain R.C. Lyon **************************************************************************** This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Dorman Holub Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm **************************************************************************** The Abilene Reporter News 1928 Capt. R.C. Lyon A few hours before the burial of his nephew, Sam T. Griffin, whom he reared from babyhood, Captain R.C. Lyon, 82, one of the last surviving members of the band of men who completed the conquest of this region from the Indians and established white civilization and government, died at his home in Buffalo Gap Saturday following an illness of a few hours. Funeral will be held from the Presbyterian church at Buffalo Gap this afternoon with Prof. J. Ed Weems of Abilene Christian College officiating, Members of Tom Green Camp No. 72, United Confederate Veterans of which Captain Lyon was a member, will attend the services. Burial will be in the Masonic cemetery in Abilene with members of the local Odd Fellows lodge in charge at the graveside. Captain Lyon, whose eventful career was filled with chapters rich in the adventure and romance of the old west, had for many years engaged in stock raising on extensive land holdings in the vicinity of Buffalo Gap. The death in El Centro, California, last week of his nephew, Sam Griffin, [1881 Š 1928] who was reared by his uncle, was believed by relatives to have hastened Captain LyonÕs death. Mr. Griffin was buried at Buffalo Gap yesterday following services at the grave conducted by Rev. Dr. E.D. Salkeld, pastor of the First Christian church, which were preceded by the Laughter Undertaking Company here under direction of local members of the Elks. Captain Lyon had been preparing to attend the annual reunion of the Texas Department of the United Confederate veterans which will open in Tyler Wednesday. He was active until his death. One of his chief pleasures of late years were the annual reunions of the Taylor County SettlersÕ Association, which are held each July on land at Buffalo Gap owned by Captain Lyon where one of the most beautiful groves of native shade trees in West Texas from an ideal setting for the picnics. Captain Lyon had resided in the Buffalo Gap country, southern Taylor and northern Runnels counties, for 48 years. He was active in the affairs of Buffalo Gap when it was the Taylor county seat and was one of the group of loyal citizens of Buffalo Gap who guarded the county records for several weeks after the county seat had been removed to Abilene as the result of an election. Entering the southern army at the opening of the war between the states, Captain Lyon served with valor under the Texas general, Tom Green. Robert Craig Lyon was born 21 July 1846 in Wheeler county, Virginia, the son of Umberson and Mary Lyon. He was married to Miss Georgia Ann Maxwell at Roxton, Lamar county, Texas, 9 February 1871. Three children were born to them; Mrs. J.T. Sands of Abilene, Mrs. J.L. Kincaid of Buffalo Gap, Mrs. Eugene Lynn, who died 27 May 1906. Two grandchildren survive: Robert Craig Lynn of Buffalo Gap, Margaret Sands of Abilene. Mr. And Mrs. Lyon also reared a nephew, Sam T. Griffin and a niece, Mrs. Tom Cross. Captain Lyon became a member of the Church of Christ at an early age. He was also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Tom Green Camp No. 72, United Confederate Veterans. Pallbearers: Oscar Bowman, J.W. young, J.F. Toney, M. Boone, C.J. Smith, A.B. Talley. Honorary pallbearers: Turner Rollins, J.M Wagstaff, H.O. Wotten, Henry James, George L. Paxton, all of the member of the local U.C.V. camp, J.L. Minatree, M.G. Jenkins, J.M. Cunningham, Dr. J.M. Estes, Dr. W. Auda Vee Cash, J.F. Cunningham, W.J. Cunningham, W.C. Lasley, T.A. Bledsoe.