1086 - General Lawton Monument

On January 19, 1899, the war hero General Henry Lawton was sent to Manila to fight against Filipino rebels in the Philippine-American war. With years of experience fighting Spaniards and Native Americans, like the capturing of the famous Apache Geronimo, he was well-equipped to fight the war with great success.

The U.S. experienced multiple victories under his leadership, including capturing the insurgent capital of San Inidro in May. Soon enough, the war effort turned to trying to capture enemy general Aguinaldo. Driving the enemy forward, Lawton captured towns along the way. His men traversed waterlogged and muddy roads, making progress that was deemed “impossible” by others due to the rainy season.

At the Battle of San Mateo, Lawton stood at the firing line. He was shot and killed at the battle. The public viewed his death with such empathy that they raised $100,000 for his wife and children in just weeks. He was the only U.S. general killed in the war, and is buried in Arlington Cemetery.

In what may seem pure coincidence, a man named Ransome Payne, a frontiersman, attended the funeral. On his return, he ended up in a conversation at the old Red Store with many officials about naming the town. He said “General Lawton made his record as an Indian fighter, and I believe that it would be generally acceptable to the country and a just tribute to his memory to name this county seat for him.” Thus, the town in Oklahoma was christened Lawton.

Dedicated by the City in 2004, the monument of General Henry Lawton stands at the Seventh Street entrance to Elmer Thomas Park.