Cooke Co., TX - Wernell Cemetery Photos

Wernell Cemetery

by John Ware King
Latest Survey: May 2003

This cemetery is located in the southeast part of Cooke Co., TX and is to the east of Clark Road less than a mile east of the town of Burns City. It is located on the old James L. Clark Farm. It is on leased land and is only accessible with the leaser's consent.

There is only one grave at this location. William W. Wernell was hung in Gainesville, Cooke County, Texas by the 'Citizens Court'. A total of 42 men were executed in 'The Great Hanging'. The men who brought Wernell's body home buried him with his head to the North saying that is where he wanted to go. The marker was later placed on his grave gives the wrong date as he was hung on Sunday, Oct 12th or Monday, Oct 13th, 1862.