Alfred Lane's parents brought him to Texas. He saw Texas become a country and then annexed into the U.S. as a state. He married Elizabeth Ann Goodnight, the sister of the famous Texas cattleman, Charles Goodnight (of Goodnight/Loving Trail). He and his brother-in-law, Charles Goodnight, and Crawford Simpson became early Texas Rangers.

Texas Historical Marker Dedication Honoring Two Early Settlers: Simpson Crawford and Alfred Lane on Saturday, November 14, 2009 at 11 am at the Highway 254 Road Side Park (Three Miles East of Graford, Texas).

Through different paths, both men arrived in the area of Black Springs, present day Oran, prior to the establishment of Palo Pinto County in 1857. Simpson Crawford was a successful cattle rancher and his holding eventually grew to 3100 acres. Alfred Lane raised horses in the Keechi Valley and was called a "splendid scout and frontiersman" by Charles Goodnight.

They also served as Texas Rangers protecting the frontier. The men are buried in Crawford Cemetery. The land for the one acre cemetery was donated by Simpson Crawford in 1886 to Palo Pinto County.

Please join us honoring the lives of these two men who were among the earliest settlers to Palo Pinto County. Following the dedication, refreshment will be served. A visit to the Crawford Cemetery is planned.