National Ranching Heritage Center

This Memorial Day, we pause to remember and honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation. Among them are two men whose stories are forever woven into the history of two of our historic structures — the Barton House and El Capote Cabin. Their lives remind us that the places we preserve hold the stories of people, families, service and sacrifice.

We remember Corporal Joseph James Barton Jr. (1889–1918), son of Joseph James Barton Sr. and Mary Harlan Barton. Born in Milam, Texas, on the T.L. Ranch. He grew up on the South Plains, witnessing his father build an elegant home, known as the Barton House. When his nation called, Barton left behind his West Texas home and ranching life to serve with the 360th Infantry, 90th Division in World War I. On November 4, 1918, at the age of 29, CPL Barton was killed in action, just seven days before the armistice ended the war. He now rests in the Plainview Cemetery, a reminder that peace often arrives at a profound cost.

We also honor Private First-Class Noble Collins Jr. (1944–1968) of Guadalupe County, Texas. Collins was the son of Noble Collins, Sr. and Lydia B. Henderson, African American sharecroppers and the last known occupants connected to El Capote Cabin. In 1967, Noble answered the call to serve during the Vietnam War as an infantryman with Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division. Less than three months after arriving in Vietnam, PFC Collins was killed in action during ground combat in the Thua Thien Province on February 25, 1968. He was 24 years old. Today, he rests at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery and his name is forever etched on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

Today, we remember these men and all those who gave what Abraham Lincoln called “the last full measure of devotion.” Their stories live on, not only in stone and timber, but in memory, gratitude and the freedoms their sacrifice helped protect.