Burton portrait tells an ‘inspiring story’
Fort Bend County officials honor their first Black sheriff at courthouse in Richmond
Walter Moses Burton, the first Black sheriff in Fort Bend County, now will have a portrait honoring him in the county’s courthouse.
During a news conference Friday afternoon, county officials unveiled a black & white portrait of Burton, who served after the Civil War, at the historic courthouse in Richmond. The portrait, originally from the Texas Historical Commission, comes from the period when Burton served in the state legislature, according to the county.
“Some people leave from this world, but they leave their mark for all of us to learn and to cherish and hold close to our hearts,” Fort Bend County Judge KP George said. “It is an inspiring story.”
In 1869, a few years after the Civil War ended and slaves were freed, Burton was elected the first African-American sheriff in Fort Bend. He went on to serve four terms as a state senator, representing Fort Bend, Waller, Wharton and Austin counties.
Burton was originally brought to Texas by his owner, a North Carolina planter named Thomas Burke Burton, according to Merline Pitre’s book, “Through Many Dangers, Toils and Snares: Black Leadership in Texas.”
Thomas Burton owned a
plantation and other large farms in the county. He later sold plots of his land for $900 to Walter Burton, who became one of the richest and most influentia Blacks in the county.
During Reconstruction, African-Americans for the first time were granted the right to vote and seek public office.
Newly freed slaves outnumbered whites in many southern counties, setting the stage for Burton and other Blacks to get elected.
At the news conference, Fort Bend commissioner Grady Prestage, recalled the effort to name a Fort Bend ISD elementary school after Burton.
“His story was a very good one, but had some tragedy too,” Prestage said. “He was a sheriff, but he had limited authority to arrest white citizens.”
While Burton served as sheriff, a white deputy was hired to arrest all white persons. It is unknown whether Burton was allowed to arrest whites, Pitre noted in her book.
Burton was elected to the Texas state Senate in 1873, though his election was contested by a white Democratic opponent on the grounds that Burton’s name had been listed on the ballot three different ways. The Senate confirmed his election.
Despite the setbacks, Burton, who was described as tall, broadshouldered and with whiskers that turned gray, became a wellrespected senator, wrote Lawrence Rice in his book, “The Negro in Texas 1874-1900.” He was referred to as the best-dressed man in the Senate, with a peacemaking tone. Senators even gave him a gold-headed ebony cane as a sign of respect.
Burton was an advocate for education, pushing through a bill that helped establish the Prairie View Normal School, now Prairie View A&M University, according to Pitre.
Burton also served as the first Black Tax Assessor-Collector for the county.
During the ceremony on Friday, Burton was honored by other current Black officeholders. Carmen Turner, who was recently elected as the first Black county tax assessor-collector since Burton, also came to pay tribute.
Eric Fagan, who was elected in November as the first Black sheriff since Burton, also paid homage to the former sheriff.
“One reason that I’m standing here is because of men like Walter Moses Burton,” Fagan said. “He’s a trailblazer. He broke the glass ceiling.”