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 by | M. D. Graham |
| Succeeded by | Constituency abolished |
| 1st Governor of Arizona Territory (Confederate) | |
| In office August 1, 1861 – March 17, 1862 | |
| Preceded by | Dr. L. S. Owings (provisional) |
| Succeeded by | Dr. L. S. Owings (in exile) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | John Robert Baylor July 27, 1822 Paris, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Died | February 6, 1894 (aged 71) Uvalde County, Texas, U.S. |
| Resting place | Church of the Ascension, Uvalde County, Texas, U.S. 29°32′21.5″N 100°00′44.4″W / 29.539306°N 100.012333°W |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Relatives |
|
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Confederate States |
| Branch/service |  Confederate States Army |
| Years of service | 1861–1865 |
| Rank |  Colonel |
| Commands | 2d Texas Cavalry Regiment |
| Battles/wars | American 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.
- ^ Thompson, Jerry. "BAYLOR, JOHN ROBERT". The Handbook of Texas. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved February 13, 2015.
- ^ Robert Emmett Bledsoe Baylor #1362, The Texas Collection
- ^ Baylor-Carrington Family Papers #170, The Texas Collection