On this day in Texas history, C. C. “Lum” Slaughter passed away (January 25, 1919).
Slaughter was one of the most influential cattlemen in Texas history, helping shape ranching in the Panhandle and West Texas when the state was still being built from dust, barbed wire, and grit. Beyond cattle, he was a banker, land developer, and philanthropist whose money helped fund churches, schools, and early Texas institutions. Entire towns, ranches, and legacies still trace back to his name.
He’s a reminder that Texas wasn’t built by loud talkers, but by people who worked relentlessly, took risks, and reinvested in their communities.
Which Texas ranching or frontier-era figure do you think deserves more recognition today?
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