Ch3 Cedar Choppers Ep3. John Teague - Defended His Sister's Honor

Our Westlake

Emmett Shelton (1905-2000) tells the story of one of the earliest Westlaker, John Teague, roughly 100 years ago. The Teague family was one of the first families in the Hills. At the turn of the Century, the family owned a large tract of land near Commons Ford and Bee Cave on both sides of the Bee Cave Road.
John was a horse trader. One night in South Austin in 1911, John went to a South Austin bar. The barkeep Mr. Gest had made derogatory remarks about John's sister, Ms. Hidelwright. John took offense and shot Mr. Gest. As John retreated to the Hills, he was challenged by a deputy, who John also shot. Both died.
The city was outraged and demanded justice. Emmett's father was the County Atty and worked to get John two life sentences. (note: Austin newspapers reveal the jury was hung 11 to 1 for the death penalty)
John was paroled and in the mid 1930s and lived to face another attempted murder charge, and this case also involved John's sister. Emmett defended John. He had an intriguing defense and a familiar judge. This time, John got off with 30 days in jail.
Music: Loading Up My Shotgun by Emmett's son Polk Shelton
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Stories told by Emmett Shelton / compiled and submitted by Cynthia Shelton.