The memorial is located on the north end of Trinity Park along West 7th Street. It occupies approximately five acres of park. » Get Directions
Hours of Operation
5:00am - 11:30pm
The displays and paths are always
illuminated.
By Mail
3801 Hulen Suite 101
Fort Worth, Texas 76107
By Phone
817-870-2171
Columbus C. Fitzgerald
Length of Service:
One year
Date of Injury:
August 25, 1877
Date of Death:
August 25, 1877
Location of Incident:
Near Cold Springs Race Track
Burial:
Pioneer Rest Cemetery
Summary:
Columbus C. Fitzgerald was Deputy City Marshal, appointed in 1876, to serve with Fort Worth City Marshal T.I. Courtright. Fitzgerald had served as interim City Marshal the prior year due to a vacancy in the office.
On the night of August 25, 1877, Deputy Fitzgerald tried to quell a disturbance between three black men near the Cold Springs Race Track on the city’s north side. One of the men shot and mortally wounded him. Columbus C. Fitzgerald died the following day. At the time of his death, the fire bell began tolling the news. A lynch mob formed and twelve men were made special officers to guard the jail.
Several men were arrested, but no one was convicted. Deputy Fitzgerald was also a volunteer fireman, and belonged to the same fire company as Marshal Courtright. Deputy Fitzgerald was buried with full Fire Department honors at Pioneer Rest Cemetery.
