Historical Markers in West Hill Cemetery

Tornado of 1896 – In the late afternoon of Friday, May 15, 1896 a disastrous tornado hit Sherman, killing about 66 people, injuring many others, and causing severe property damage. Many of the people were buried at West Hill Cemetery, but the locations of the graves are unknown. A Historical Marker was placed at the Highland Street entrance into the Cemetery.

Andrew Hanson Grave – owned Sherman’s first bakery & ice cream parlor for 35 years. He also had the first delivery service.

Olive Ann Oatman Fairchild (1837-1903) - Captured in Arizona at age 13 by Yavapai Indians, who massacred six members of her family. She was sold to Mojave Indians. She was treated kindly but bore the mark of a slave – blue cactus needle tattoo on her chin for the rest of her life. She was ransomed by Army at Fort Yuma, 1856. She lived in California, then New York. There she married J. B. Fairchild in 1865. About 1872 she moved to Sherman where her husband founded City Bank. They resided in Sherman until her death in 1903.

Lee Simmons (1873-1957) - Ran for sheriff at the request of citizens of Denison. Elected in 1912 and served two years. He was appointed by Governor Pat Neff to special commission in1920’s to inspect Texas prison system; named by Governor Dan Moody to prison board, 1928. In 1930 became general manager of prison system, where he made an outstanding record. He organized prison rodeo. He died before completing autobiography "Assignment Huntsville".

Captain John Henry Letellier – Born in Virginia, Educated at Bethany College. In 1861, he joined Confederate Army, serving in Co. K, 24th Va. Inf. Fought in battles of Manassas, Williamsburg, Seven Pines, Gettysburg, and others. Received several wounds, one serious. Resumed teaching at end of war. Came to Texas and operated the Sherman Private School, 1871-1913. A dynamic teacher and expert in math, he taught many persons who later rose to prominence.

Thomas Jefferson Shannon (1808-1864) - Thomas J. Shannon came to Texas in 1839 and settled in what became Grayson County in 1845. Elected first Grayson County representative to the Texas legislature, he worked for relocation of the county seat to the present site of Sherman. Shannon earned the name "Father of Sherman" after donating land for the townsite. His daughter Julia named the first streets. A pioneer stockman, Shannon imported Durham cattle, a gift from Queen Victoria in 1848.

Aaron S. Mangum (1812-1884) - Aaron S. Mangum came to Texas in 1835 as a volunteer with the battalion raised in Georgia, serving under Colonel James Fannin at Goliad. He survived the war and returned to Georgia, but came back to Texas with his family around 1869 and settled in Sherman. Mangum is one of three soldiers of the Texas Revolution known to be buried in Grayson County. The other two are Louis Wilmouth, buried near Sadler, and Ashley McKinney buried in Van Alstyne.

Graves of Local Interest

Edna Iles – Unique stone with picture.

Katie Q. Wakefield – Local elemetary school named after her.

Mary Crutchfield – Local elemetary school named after her.

Evorie Dillingham – Local intermediate school named after this teacher.

Laura Bell Hilger – A 1898 Sherman Graduate. She started a school lunch program in 1914 in Waco.

Cary Head - A member of a once prominent Sherman family, she was one of the nation’s first female sportswriters. She served as sports editor of the Sherman newspaper during the years of World War II. She was the only woman ever to have served as sports editor of the 125 year old Sherman Democrat.