Ch13 Austin Law Tales Ep1 Frank Hamer - Texas Ranger - updated audio

Our Westlake

Emmett Shelton (1905-2000) starts a New Chapter "Austin Law Tales" with first-hand stories from his family's 50-year career as criminal defense lawyers in Austin - roughly 100 years ago.
The 1915-30s in Texas were the days of Prohibition, Ku Klux Klan, Lynchings and Bonnie and Clyde. The Texas Rangers took on the Devil himself -- in defense of Texas.
Capt. Hammer lived in South Austin and officed in the State Capitol. Emmett had lots of stories to tell. Capt. Hamer arrested a local bootlegger who serviced the Capitol. He tripped into a state book theft ring at Gammell's Book Store due to a couple of guilty consciences and poor state bookkeeping. Emmett defended the Gammell boys and won. Interesting case! Skillball came to Austin and the Rangers kept the peace.
And then, there was the famous case of Bonnie and Clyde. One day, Emmett asked Cpt. Hamer if he was ever afraid to arrest a man - Capt. Hamer replied "I can control a mob - but one guy alone can be more dangerous - there was a man hold out in house on the plains - I was sent to arrest him - But he was crazy and wanted to die and I didn't! And yes, I was afraid and I didn't do it."
NOTE: We first posted this Episode in Feb 2023 - but Frank Hamer deserves better audio and a repeat.
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Music: Theme song Walker Texas Rangers by Chuck Norris

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Stories told by Emmett Shelton / compiled and submitted by Cynthia Shelton.