Lieutenant Van Roberts, a Texas Ranger stationed at Fort Bingham in Forestburg during 1867 will be honored with a ceremony for fallen Rangers on May 20.
Roberts was killed in a fight with a band of Indians 150 years ago. This ceremony will be directed by retired Texas Rangers. Lt. Roberts is buried in this cemetery.
This ceremony will be at 2 p.m. on May 20 in the Southward Magee Cemetery. A reception presented by the Forestburg Historical Society and the Montague County Historical Commission will follow at the Forestburg Community Center.
The Southward Magee Cemetery has very limited parking so a shuttle service will be available to and from the ceremony from the community center. The shuttle will run from 1 to 2 p.m. and again after the ceremony.
The cemetery is located 2.5 miles south of Forestburg, turning off FM 1655 to the left on Lanier Road. There is a steep cattle guard immediately to the right. The cemetery is a short walk and to the left of road.
Lt. Roberts was shot during a battle in the fall of 1867 with Indians who were trying to steal company horses.
Roberts shot at the Indians and when he was injured and knocked from his horse he reportedly pulled his Bowie knife and fought hand-to-hand with the Indians before they took his life and his scalp.