Our Westlake

Emmett Shelton, Sr.
  • 5.0 (3)
  • HISTORY

Austin/Westlake/Texas - Roughly 100 Years Ago. As told by Emmett Shelton Sr.(1905-2000). He was the Original Developer of Westlake Hills, Criminal Defense Lawyer, Political Operative and popular local Storyteller.

  1. Ch13 Austin Law Ep3 Greer n Yarborough Murder Trials

    NOV 2

    Ch13 Austin Law Ep3 Greer n Yarborough Murder Trials

    Emmett Shelton Sr. (1905-2999) tells first-hand stories of two high-profile Murder trials in Austin, roughly 100 years age.              Emmett's father, John E. Shelton, had a prominent criminal law firm in Austin with his four sons.             In the 1920s, John E,'s Uncle H.C. Greer caught an ex-employee stealing from his feed store on So. Congress. The thief shot Uncle Greer and was charged with attempted murder. Uncle Greer lingered and then died without filing a statement, Dan Moody was a hot-headed prosecutor, and the case resulted in a mistrial.            The second case shook Austin in 1933 - the tragic death of the young daughter of Belton mechanic Cal Yarborough. She was burned to death with gasoline and an insurance claim resulted an Cal's indictment. Mr. Bomer defend Cal and, Emmett assisted            Cal had spent 6 months in jail before the trial and had a strong defense however, Emmett and Bomer tried to prepare Cal for prison time.  Cal told Emmett "This jury cannot punish me at all." The jury returned a guilty verdict, and Cal was sentenced to 30 years.  We appealed but Cal spent time at Huntsville prison. We won on appeal, but Cal had lost everything - his life was forever changed. Music: Theme song from Matlock For maps and other info check out our Facebook page: Our Westlake Stories told by Emmett Shelton / compiled and submitted by Cynthia Shelton.

    19 min
  2. Chap 5 KKK in Austin -1882 Lynching of Uncle Sam

    SEP 22

    Chap 5 KKK in Austin -1882 Lynching of Uncle Sam

    'Mob Law' was common 'justice' in Central Texas, roughly 150 years ago.           Emmett's Great Great Uncle Sam Shelton was a wild cowboy in Belton in 1880s. He was arrested one night for attempted murder of a deputy and his teen son was jailed with him.           A Mob took Uncle Sam from the Belton Jail with a Black Man, Mr. Keys. They were hung on an oak on the Hilltop. Sam's teen brother, Terrell, was spared and witnessed the hanging.           Sam's brother and Civil War hero (James K. Polk Shelton), revenged the killers. He was tried and acquitted. However, he soon disappeared. His wife, Grandma was left to raise 4 kids alone in the 1880s. She supported the family as a schoolteacher in a number of one-room schools in central Texas.            With this family history, Emmett's father raised his sons to fight the hard battle all his life - to fight for the common man against injustice, including Lynch Mobs and the KKK. Music: The Hills that I call Home by Southern Rail For maps and other info check out our Facebook page: Our Westlake Stories told by Emmett Shelton / compiled and submitted by Cynthia Shelton.

    12 min
  3. Ch13 Dems for Ike Ep3 WLH Hero's BBQ and flatbed Campaign for IKE with Ms. Davenport

    AUG 4

    Ch13 Dems for Ike Ep3 WLH Hero's BBQ and flatbed Campaign for IKE with Ms. Davenport

    Emmett Shelton (1905-2000) was a life-long Austin Democrat BUT like many Texans in 1952, Emmett became a 'Democrat for Eisenhower'.           Emmett tells of hosting Ntl. War Hero, Gen. Clements, with over 100 dignitaries, at a BBQ to celebrate at Emmett's Westlake Hilltop home.  Gen. Clements, and the others, were all big supporters of Gen. Eisenhower for President.           Instead of switching to the Republican Party, Emmett leads the campaign by Central Tx Democrats for Ike. Ms. Davenport represented Republicans for Ike. Emmett tells the behind-he-scenes story of their successful bipartisan flatbed campaign in Central Texas for Gen. Eisenhower, a National Hero, roughly 100 years ago. #austinhistory #eisenhower #texashistory #shelton #texasdemocrats #davenport Music: Vote'em Out by Willie Nelson For maps and other info check out our Facebook page: Our Westlake Stories told by Emmett Shelton / compiled and submitted by Cynthia Shelton.

    13 min
  4. Ch13 Dems for Ike Ep2 1952 Texas Dem Conventions Don't Back Stevenson

    AUG 1

    Ch13 Dems for Ike Ep2 1952 Texas Dem Conventions Don't Back Stevenson

    Emmett Shelton (1905-2000) was a life-long Democrat BUT like many Texans in 1952, Emmett became an 'Eisenhower Democrat'.           In the 1950s, Central Texas had become liberal. Emmett was active in the Texas Democratic Party and Gov. Alan Shivers asked for Emmett's help to swing the leadership to the right for the Ntl. Democratic Convention but Emmett had pledged to Eisenhower. Instead, Emmett's friend Herman Heath went to the Republican Convention to push for Taft.           Emmett tells back-room tales of the Texas State Democratic Convention in preparation for the National Dem. Convention in Chicago, including the list of local delegates. Governor's Convention in Amarillo later in the year did not support the Democratic nominee Adelaide Stevenson and instead did not endorse any candidate!          As an alternative to Stevenson for Texas Democrats, Emmett organized Central Texas Dems for Eisenhower.          Next Episode - In Ep3, instead of voting Republican, Emmett leads Central Texas Dems for Eisenhower with the help of Republican Eisenhower supporter, Ms. Davenport. Emmett tells the behind-the-scenes story of flatbed campaigning.          #texashistory #austinhistory #texasdemocrats #eisenhower #alanshivers Music: "Vote'm Out" by Willie Nelson For maps and other info check out our Facebook page: Our Westlake Stories told by Emmett Shelton / compiled and submitted by Cynthia Shelton.

    8 min
  5. Ch13 Dems for Ike Ep1 1952 Austin Begins Swing to the Right

    JUL 28

    Ch13 Dems for Ike Ep1 1952 Austin Begins Swing to the Right

    Emmett Shelton (1905-2000) was a life-long Austin Democrat BUT in 1952 Emmett became an 'Eisenhower Democrat'.           In the 1952, Central Texas had become so liberal that Dems would not allow the conservative Gov. Shivers to be the Travis County delegate in the State Democratic Convention.           Emmett was active in the Texas Democratic Party and Gov. Alan Shivers asked for Emmett's help. Emmett became Chair of the County Democratic Convention, and the Dems walked out. Emmett finalized the list of delegates to the upcoming National Dem. Convention in Chicago. Gov. Shivers offered Emmett a delegate spot but Emmett declined telling Gov. Shivers he planned to support Eisenhower.          Next Episode - In Ep2, Emmett takes us to the backrooms in the Texas Democratic Convention and Governors Conference. It was the Texas Swing to the Right for Gen. Eisenhower.          #texashistory #austinhistory #texasdemocrats #eisenhower #alanshivers Music: "Vote'm Out" by Willie Nelson For maps and other info check out our Facebook page: Our Westlake Stories told by Emmett Shelton / compiled and submitted by Cynthia Shelton. For maps and other info check out our Facebook page: Our Westlake Stories told by Emmett Shelton / compiled and submitted by Cynthia Shelton.

    9 min
  6. Ch13Law Tales Ep 104 Tx Rangers v Capitol Bootlegger

    MAY 21

    Ch13Law Tales Ep 104 Tx Rangers v Capitol Bootlegger

    Emmett Shelton (1905-2000) Tells an interesting tale of how Capt. Frank Hamer of the Texas Rangers addressed a bootlegger operating outside their Capitol window. For maps and other info check out our Facebook page: Our Westlake Stories told by Emmett Shelton / compiled and submitted by Cynthia Shelton.

    4 min
  7. Ch20 Tx Rangers Ep3 Leading Rangers Was a Family Job

    MAY 20

    Ch20 Tx Rangers Ep3 Leading Rangers Was a Family Job

    Emmett Shelton Sr. (1905-2000) shares first-hand stories involving Capt. Frank Hamer, Texas Ranger.                        Frank's brother, Capt. D.E. Hamer, was made head of the Texas Rangers when Ma Ferguson became Governor. Austin had a popular Skillball game.  Emmett had to call on Capt. D.E Hamer to protect the games from extortion from a San Antonio gang.  These were exciting times for Texas and Austinites, and the Texas Rangers kept a lid on a boiling pot.             Emmett had many opportunities to visit with Capt. Frank Hamer. Frank's claim to fame was the killing of the notorious Bonnie and Clyde. In a friendly moment, Emmett asked Frank if he was ever afraid. His answer is telling.           #texasrangers #austinhistory #frankhamer For maps and other info check out our Facebook page: Our Westlake Stories told by Emmett Shelton / compiled and submitted by Cynthia Shelton.

    12 min
  8. Ch13Law Tales Ep102 Capt. Frank Hamer Texas Ranger

    MAY 18

    Ch13Law Tales Ep102 Capt. Frank Hamer Texas Ranger

    Emmett Shelton (1905-2000) tells a tale about Texas Ranger, Capt. Frank Hamer, and how he became the Head Texas Ranger. It started at the Tx Border and continued with a racial uprising near Sherman that resulted in a lynching and burned courthouse.. For maps and other info check out our Facebook page: Our Westlake Stories told by Emmett Shelton / compiled and submitted by Cynthia Shelton.

    4 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Austin/Westlake/Texas - Roughly 100 Years Ago. As told by Emmett Shelton Sr.(1905-2000). He was the Original Developer of Westlake Hills, Criminal Defense Lawyer, Political Operative and popular local Storyteller.

Information

  • Creator
    Emmett Shelton, Sr.
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    108
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Our Westlake
  • Show Website
    Our Westlake