Details for The Wild Man of the Navidad

Historical Marker — Atlas Number 5285005811

Data

Marker Number 5811
Atlas Number 5285005811
Marker Title The Wild Man of the Navidad
Index Entry Wild Man of the Navidad, The
Address
City Sublime
County Lavaca
UTM Zone 14
UTM Easting 712995
UTM Northing 3262031
Subject Codes African American topics
Marker Year 1970
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark No
Marker Location from Sublime, take US alt. 90 southwest about 1 mile to east end of Navidad River Bridge. Marker reported missing Jun. 2016.
Private Property No
Marker Condition Missing
Marker Size 18" x 28"
Marker Text A mysterious runaway Negro slave who alternately terrified and aroused pity of settlers in this region for about 15 years. The mysterious exile, at first with a companion, appeared along the Navidad bottoms about 1836. Hiding in trees during day, he stole into kitchens at night for food, but always left half. He also took tools, returning them later, brightly polished. Slaves called him "The thing that comes", fearing a ghost. Captured in 1851, the wild man proved to be an African chief's son. Resold into slavery, he died peacefully as "Old Jimbo" in 1884.

Location Map

View this record in full map (opens in new tab/window)