John R. Baylor

John R. Baylor
Baylor in uniform, c. 1861
Member of the
C.S. House of Representatives
from Texas's 5th congressional district
In office
May 2, 1864 – May 26, 1865
Preceded byM. D. Graham
Succeeded byConstituency abolished
1st Governor of Arizona Territory (Confederate)
In office
August 1, 1861 – March 17, 1862
Preceded byDr. L. S. Owings (provisional)
Succeeded byDr. L. S. Owings (in exile)
Personal details
Born
John Robert Baylor

(1822-07-27)July 27, 1822
Paris, Kentucky, U.S.
DiedFebruary 6, 1894(1894-02-06) (aged 71)
Uvalde County, Texas, U.S.
Resting placeChurch of the Ascension,
Uvalde County, Texas, U.S.
29°32′21.5″N 100°00′44.4″W / 29.539306°N 100.012333°W / 29.539306; -100.012333
Political partyDemocratic
Relatives
Military service
Allegiance Confederate States
Branch/service Confederate States Army
Years of service1861–1865
Rank Colonel
Commands2d Texas Cavalry Regiment
Battles/warsAmerican Civil War

John Robert Baylor (July 27, 1822 – February 6, 1894) was a US Indian agent, publisher and editor, politician, and a senior officer of the Confederate States Army.[1][2] After being dismissed as Indian agent, he became one of the founding editors of The White Man, a newspaper in North Texas, and a strong critic of Governor Sam Houston.

During the American Civil War, Baylor led Texas Confederate forces into New Mexico and declared himself the 1st Governor of the Arizona Territory. He was confirmed by Confederate President Jefferson Davis. In an altercation, Baylor attacked and killed Robert Payne Kelley, an editor of a rival newspaper who ridiculed Baylor. Davis disapproved of orders Baylor gave his regiment to exterminate the Apache in his territory and removed him from office as governor, stripping him of his Texas commission.[3]

Later Baylor recovered, settling in San Antonio. He was elected to state government as a legislator and became a rancher. In 1881 he killed another man in an argument when he was about 59 but was acquitted at trial. He died years later at his ranch.

  1. ^ Thompson, Jerry. "BAYLOR, JOHN ROBERT". The Handbook of Texas. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved February 13, 2015.
  2. ^ Robert Emmett Bledsoe Baylor #1362, The Texas Collection
  3. ^ Baylor-Carrington Family Papers #170, The Texas Collection