Fort McKavett

Fort McKavett was named for Capt. Henry McKavett who was killed during the Battle of Monterrey (war with Mexico) in 1846. It was in use until 1861 and then again, after the American Civil War until 1883 when is was decommissioned and the barracks were turned over to the Town of Fort McKavett to become civilian residences, warehouses, and stores.

While occupied by soldiers a town grew up nearby, Scabtown.
This ledger is from the general store there. 

Melton Morales came to the area in 1874 bringing 2000 merino
sheep. 2 years later William Black bought 32,000 acres and
brought his sheep to the area. In 1884 Black introduced angora
to his farm. Since he could not find a packing plant for the mutton
meat he started his own. 




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L to R door labels: Enlisted sink, Officers sink, (no label),
Death House
Enlisted sink. According to the sign there were sinks behind almost
every building on site. Only a person's solid waste was deposited
here. Urine would interfere with the composting by the addition
of dirt and lime. The rest of the daily washing up was done by
the river for the enlisted or in the officers quarters. Urine buckets
were emptied by various soldiers.


I think these are cedar instead of pine. There is a cemetery
nearby we did not take time to visit.


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