The historic Lampasas Courthouse is surrounded by a beautiful sturdy wrought-iron fence. There are several historic markers on the grounds of the courthouse and in the courthouse square. The one pictured here reminds Lampasas citizens of the its rough and lawless history. In the 1870s this frontier town was a mecca of outlaws, brothels and ne-er do wells. Many murders happened in the county during those early days and one of Texas' most famous feuds was being played out between the Horrell and the Higgins gangs, having been started over an accusation of cattle rustling. Eventually the fight resulted in the death of four law enforcement officers when a gunbattle broke out in one of the saloons on the courthouse square. The Horrell gang hightailed it to New Mexico but returned the following year. In 1876 the brothers stood trial for the murder of the police officers and were actually found not guilty. I wonder if fear was one of the reasons for the verdicts.
Joining the other good folks who love fences and gates at Good Fences hosted by our friend, TexWis. Click on the link and see what amazing fences are being offered today.
24 comments:
Hello, what a pretty building and fence. Great story and history! Thanks for sharing, enjoy your day!
I do love wrought-iron fences! It sure doesn't look like outlaw territory now, the kind seen in the old westerns anyhow.
Sometimes even the bad guys win.
A impressiv building and a impressiv fence, a good shot !
Here are my contribution to Good Fences
Greetings from Germany
yup, that's a nice wrought iron! :) guess that was sort of like a mob trial back in the day - afraid to convict because there might be repercussions.
THis story should be made into a movie!
now i am wondering if 200 years from now, people will show old theaters and title them gunfights at the theaters.... we are fast regressing to the same lawlessness this building saw...
Definitely a fence stating keep out.
That's a nice fence and an interesting history!
Very nice wrought iron fencing. It was quite interesting to read about this gun fight. To bad they weren't found guilty though.
thanks for the history story adn that is a lovely building
Interesting entry full of history.
They must have had a good lawyer OR like you say other "luck".
lovely fence and a good history lesson here today. It is a beautiful building and I hope to visit there soon!
Enjoy your day...
Love the photo and the colorful history. Great story.
The Wild Wild West!
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That is a beautiful courthouse and fence! Sounds like the bad guys might have gotten away with murder!
Oh I love this story history is fascinating. Love the old fence too. Hug B
Wow what a great fence and story! I'm willing to bet they were found not guilty by the jurors out of fear for their own safety!
I like the fence but the beautiful brickwork is what caught my eye.
The gang may have gotten off but I doubt they lived happily ever after.
A great photo Kathy, with a very interesting part of history.
Kathy I would love to meet you for a coke but I don't live near Bandera. My daughter took that picture. She drives through Bandera several times a week to get to the old pony farm she is fixing up.
Beautiful as it is, I would not want to jump this fence!
Real wild west stuff! Pretty cool!
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