Texas Rangers, Texas
End of Watch Thursday, September 14, 1905
Add to My HeroesThomas Jefferson Goff
Private Tom Goff was shot and killed while escorting a prisoner to the Texas Ranger's camp in Brewster County.
Private Goff had arrested the subject for creating a disturbance in a saloon in Terlingua, which is located in the Big Bend area of Brewster County. There was no jail in the town so Private Goff, who was on horseback, lead the prisoner up a steep mountainside back to the ranger camp. The prisoner started down a different trail and the Private Goff tried to move his horse in front of him. The horse fell on Private Goff, which allowed the prisoner to grab the ranger's Winchester rifle from its scabbard.
The man opened fire, but missed with the first shot. Private Goff rose to his feet and reached for his pistol. The man fired a second shot which struck him in the spinal column. Private Goff rolled down the mountainside. He was later rescued but died approximately 24 hours later. The subject escaped into Mexico and was never prosecuted.
Private Goff had served with the Texas Rangers Company C for 12 years. He was buried in the Throckmorton Cemetery in Throckmorton County. He was survived by his wife and two children.
Bio
- Age 34
- Tour 12 years
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Incident Date Wednesday, September 13, 1905
- Weapon Officer's rifle
- Offender Never apprehended
Most Recent Reflection
View all 7 ReflectionsActually, Tom Goff was married to my great Grandfathers' sister. I have a great amount of information about him and about Tom Meadows Goff. Tom was killed by Augustin Gonzales but Wm. Rodgers letter to Goffs' mother says it took him three days to die. Imagine that in the heat of the Big Bend (Ugh) The McCabes and Goffs' family went after onzales like a bunch out of "The Searchers" but the military in Mexico killed him before they were able ti get to him.
Dody Fugate , 3725 State Road 14, Santa
Tom Goff was my great uncle I have a set of letters about his death.
April 16, 2022
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