Fresno historian discovers black pioneer cattle rancher's grave
A high school history teacher has discovered the grave of a Fresno County pioneer who may have been the state's first black cattle rancher.
Teacher Bill Coate came upon Gabriel Moore's unmarked grave at Akers Cemetery last year while he was on a tour celebrating the county's 150th anniversary.
Coate had heard stories about Moore, who was born in Alabama in 1812 and sold into slavery in Arkansas. Moore traveled west to California, and by 1872, he had established his own 350-acre cattle ranch with dozens of horses, cattle and hogs.
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Teacher Bill Coate came upon Gabriel Moore's unmarked grave at Akers Cemetery last year while he was on a tour celebrating the county's 150th anniversary.
Coate had heard stories about Moore, who was born in Alabama in 1812 and sold into slavery in Arkansas. Moore traveled west to California, and by 1872, he had established his own 350-acre cattle ranch with dozens of horses, cattle and hogs.