Near the back of this cemetery is a sign titled: LOS TIRADITOS LEGEND
These three men (names not known) are buried in this cemetery in unmarked graves but this tribute exists to honor their deaths. Here is the story:
In approximately 1882 or 1883, three men rode into the town of Benson not expecting it would be their last time. News of a train robbery and a stolen horse had reached the town, and suspicions arose that these three men had committed the crime. There would be no jury trial to prove them innocent.
There was a lumber yard on 4th Street and since there were no mesquite trees tall enough to hang them, the lumber yard would do. The coffins could be made there too. So members of the community gathered for some entertainment, and the men were hung.
After the excitement the men were taken to the 7th Street Cemetery and buried on the south side of the "Potter's Field" section. They definitely could not be buried in "Hallowed Ground" with good citizens.
A wash developed between the cemetery and the area where these three men were buried. Thus further separated these lost souls from the community. But they were not forgotten. Many thought these men were innocent. People put wooden crosses at the head of the graves and began burning candles and taking food there.
The Los Tiraditos were exhumed and moved after 100 years to the 7th Street Cemetery.
May they rest in peace.
These three men (names not known) are buried in this cemetery in unmarked graves but this tribute exists to honor their deaths. Here is the story:
In approximately 1882 or 1883, three men rode into the town of Benson not expecting it would be their last time. News of a train robbery and a stolen horse had reached the town, and suspicions arose that these three men had committed the crime. There would be no jury trial to prove them innocent.
There was a lumber yard on 4th Street and since there were no mesquite trees tall enough to hang them, the lumber yard would do. The coffins could be made there too. So members of the community gathered for some entertainment, and the men were hung.
After the excitement the men were taken to the 7th Street Cemetery and buried on the south side of the "Potter's Field" section. They definitely could not be buried in "Hallowed Ground" with good citizens.
A wash developed between the cemetery and the area where these three men were buried. Thus further separated these lost souls from the community. But they were not forgotten. Many thought these men were innocent. People put wooden crosses at the head of the graves and began burning candles and taking food there.
The Los Tiraditos were exhumed and moved after 100 years to the 7th Street Cemetery.
May they rest in peace.
Near the back of this cemetery is a sign titled: LOS TIRADITOS LEGEND
These three men (names not known) are buried in this cemetery in unmarked graves but this tribute exists to honor their deaths. Here is the story:
In approximately 1882 or 1883, three men rode into the town of Benson not expecting it would be their last time. News of a train robbery and a stolen horse had reached the town, and suspicions arose that these three men had committed the crime. There would be no jury trial to prove them innocent.
There was a lumber yard on 4th Street and since there were no mesquite trees tall enough to hang them, the lumber yard would do. The coffins could be made there too. So members of the community gathered for some entertainment, and the men were hung.
After the excitement the men were taken to the 7th Street Cemetery and buried on the south side of the "Potter's Field" section. They definitely could not be buried in "Hallowed Ground" with good citizens.
A wash developed between the cemetery and the area where these three men were buried. Thus further separated these lost souls from the community. But they were not forgotten. Many thought these men were innocent. People put wooden crosses at the head of the graves and began burning candles and taking food there.
The Los Tiraditos were exhumed and moved after 100 years to the 7th Street Cemetery.
May they rest in peace.
These three men (names not known) are buried in this cemetery in unmarked graves but this tribute exists to honor their deaths. Here is the story:
In approximately 1882 or 1883, three men rode into the town of Benson not expecting it would be their last time. News of a train robbery and a stolen horse had reached the town, and suspicions arose that these three men had committed the crime. There would be no jury trial to prove them innocent.
There was a lumber yard on 4th Street and since there were no mesquite trees tall enough to hang them, the lumber yard would do. The coffins could be made there too. So members of the community gathered for some entertainment, and the men were hung.
After the excitement the men were taken to the 7th Street Cemetery and buried on the south side of the "Potter's Field" section. They definitely could not be buried in "Hallowed Ground" with good citizens.
A wash developed between the cemetery and the area where these three men were buried. Thus further separated these lost souls from the community. But they were not forgotten. Many thought these men were innocent. People put wooden crosses at the head of the graves and began burning candles and taking food there.
The Los Tiraditos were exhumed and moved after 100 years to the 7th Street Cemetery.
May they rest in peace.
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