chose a tract "above" the former location of Trinidad de Salcedo. It was on both sides of the road to Bexar [Old San Antonio Road] and surveyed out to three leagues, plus 18 labors. The fieldnotes of this survey stipulated that the northern corner should fall on the Arroyo de las Ruinas [Ruins Creek]. This was likely known for the ruins of the old Barr Rancho headquarters, burnt by order of Col. Ignacio Elizondo of the Spanish Royal Army, during his operations in the aftermath of the Gutierrez-Magee Expedition and the rout of insurgents at the Battle of Medina on 18 August 1813. Province of Coahuila y Tejas After Mexico gained independence from Spain, from 1829 to 1834 Durst served in many capacities as an interpreter. He also became active in local politics. In 1835, Durst became a legislative representative of Coahuila y Tejas from Nacogdoches. He became involved in a controversy over land speculation. While at the legislature, Durst learned of Mexican troop movement into Texas, and became known as the Paul Revere of Texas for his ride warning American settlers of the troop movement. Republic of Texas Texas achieved independence in 1836. The following year, in 1837 Durst founded the town of Mount Sterling in Nacogdoches County. In 1838, Durst was commissioned as a captain in the Republic of Texas militia, serving under Major General Thomas J. Rusk. Rusk was campaigning against the Kickapoo and Cherokee tribes of the area. In 1844, Durst moved with his family to Leon County. Personal life and death Durst married Harriet Matilda Jamison on February 15, 1821. The young John Henninger Reagan, at the time a deputy surveyor, also served as a private tutor in the 1830s to the Durst children. Planters usually hired private tutors to educate their children. John Marie Durst died in Galveston on February 9, 1851. He is buried in the family cemetery established on his property in Leon County. His wife Harriet died September 23, 1885, and is buried next to him. References 1797 births 1851 deaths Mexican War of Independence People from Arkansas County, Arkansas People from Nacogdoches, Texas People from Louisiana