Killing of Brown County Deputy Sheriff Charles M. Webb 26 May 1874

  

In a shady spot in the Greenleaf Cemetery’s Masonic Section, lie the remains of Brown County Deputy Sheriff and former Texas Ranger, Charles M. Webb. He is the second recorded burial in the cemetery, which was known as Round Mountain Cemetery, at that time.

Houston Telegraph June 8, 1874

A Deputy Sheriff Killed by Desperadoes

The People Aroused and Eleven Thieves Shot and Hung

We were called upon this morning by a gentleman from Brown County, who is also an official of that county, from whom we learn the particulars of a cold blooded murder, and a retributive uprising of the people of Comanche and Brown counties.

The Murder was committed last Monday in front of a saloon on the public square of the village of Comanche, in Comanche County, the victim being Charles M. Webb, a deputy sheriff and the murderers were John Hardin, Budd Dixon, or Dickson, and two others whose names are unknown.

The murders belonged to a band cattle thieves, which has been operating for some time in that district. There were twelve indictments against them, and Webb had been instrumental in arresting three of the gang, one of whom was released on bond, and two incarcerated in jail at Georgetown.

On Monday the parties above named rode into town and laid in wait for Webb in a saloon. He soon entered it whereupon they engaged in a quarrel with him, and soon showed a disposition to do him some harm. They paired off, two in front to defend against him, and two at one side to do the killing. Seeing this, he retreated to the outside of the house, and they followed, again pairing off as before, and drawing their six-shooters. Seeing this, Webb drew and fired with rapid movement, but his shot went wild. Hardin now fired, followed by Dickson, and Webb fell mortally wounded in the neck, the hand, the abdomen, and soon expired.

Hardin walked up to the sheriff and handed over his pistol, saying; "Take that and take me, if you can!"

The sheriff ordered the other parties to watch and guard Hardin, while he disarmed the others, which they quietly permitted. During this operation, Hardin mounted his horse and rode off, but barely escaped death in the act. Henry Ware fired four shots at him as he fled.

Webb received the first shot in the neck, which felled him, but he heroically braved his death and raised himself to his knees and fired two more random shots at his assassins.

Former Murders by the same killing party, wanting to prove their lawless and bloody crimes. They are said to be of the same gang which murdered four of the state troopers about a year ago in Lampasas County. This time they went too far in their dark career. Webb was known as a brave and honest man, and the people were not to brook his slaughter in silence and awe.

Their Vengeance was swift and terrible. The people arose as by one impulse, and assumed in their solemn capacity, the functions of judge, jury and executioner.

The only conviction for Hardin's many killings was for killing Brown County Deputy Sheriff Charles M. Webb.

Vigilantly committees were organized and sent in search of the desperadoes, with instructions shoot all who refused to surrender, and hang all who did submit. The United States Marshall at Austin received information yesterday from Captain Boyd, district attorney of that district, that eleven had been caught, and either hung or shot, up to the time the courier left. This is a terrible retribution for their crimes, and is a spectacle in our domestic economy which we deplore, yet what can men do under such circumstances, but defend their property and their lives in the only way open to them? We expect full particulars from our correspondent, who has gone to the vicinity.

Late From Bell County - From information received at the United States Marshall's Office in Austin, up to six o'clock last evening, there had been eighteen persons killed in that county (Bell) within ten days, ending Saturday night. This number includes the outlaws killed in jail at Belton. The people are determined to clear the county of all desperadoes at once.

A special to the Telegraph from Austin, dated the 2nd, adds:

Rumors are rife of the lawless transactions of organized bands of cattle thieves throughout the frontier counties. The people are aroused and terribly in earnest.

We are just in receipt of news of the hanging of eleven desperadoes in Brown County by the incensed people.

Serious fears prevail that an attempt will be made of a forcible jail delivery at Georgetown.

Vigilant committees are being rapidly organized, and serious trouble is apprehended.