The Deputy Carried an Iron Pistol! Saint Jo, Texas was where I was bussed to school beginning in the sixth grade. It was a frontier town, probably included in what the Comanches...

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

Saint Jo, Texas was where I was bussed to school beginning in the sixth grade. It was a frontier town, probably included in what the Comanches considered as part of the Comancheria (Their hunting range)! During the Civil War and even after Indian raids and depredations were a common event and many were killed and scalped. Usually, these bodies were buried where they fell, due to the constant threat of further raids.

Keeping the peace in a town where the first building was a saloon, was a job for one tough hombre. I am not clear on the details but the son of one of the founders by the name of Boggess was what you might term ‘rough around the edges and by some descriptions did not think any of the local laws or deputies applied to his conduct. He had been jailed several times but was a difficult person for law enforcement to deal.

I can only assume he drank, and probably to the excess. There was another ‘dust up’ and law enforcement officers were summoned from other towns and the County Seat to attempt to quell and arrest this Boggess character. In this event, the details told by different folks differed greatly, but the law enforcement officer shot Boggess in the back killing him instantly.

Later, a deputy sheriff was hired to keep the peace officer and be a night watchman for the city. It was recorded that he carried a pistol in his holster that was solid iron! No bullets, no moving parts, just an iron pistol which he used to ‘crack’ wrongdoers over the head until they submitted to his commands. Bear in mind this first generation of citizens of Saint Jo was quite well familiar with combat and firearms, having survived the four years of war.

Mr. Boggess senior had been a captain in the Confederate Army and handled all the supplies for his regiment. He was once captured by Union forces and effected an escape. When he was recaptured, one of the Union troopers, acting as a jailer, stabbed him in his hip with a bayonet. For the rest of his life, he had a limp from this wound. Just Sayin…RJS

EZ Fishing Loc: College Ward, Utah

Thanks RJS another great story. I appreciate all your stories and wisdom.
EZ Fishing

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

Well, EZ, I appreciate your applauding my stories. I don't know about my wisdom, it is just my number of years, lots of memories, scars, and such. Just Sayin...RJS

plumbob Loc: New Windsor Maryland

Robert J Samples wrote:

Saint Jo, Texas was where I was bussed to school beginning in the sixth grade. It was a frontier town, probably included in what the Comanches considered as part of the Comancheria (Their hunting range)! During the Civil War and even after Indian raids and depredations were a common event and many were killed and scalped. Usually, these bodies were buried where they fell, due to the constant threat of further raids.

Keeping the peace in a town where the first building was a saloon, was a job for one tough hombre. I am not clear on the details but the son of one of the founders by the name of Boggess was what you might term ‘rough around the edges and by some descriptions did not think any of the local laws or deputies applied to his conduct. He had been jailed several times but was a difficult person for law enforcement to deal.

I can only assume he drank, and probably to the excess. There was another ‘dust up’ and law enforcement officers were summoned from other towns and the County Seat to attempt to quell and arrest this Boggess character. In this event, the details told by different folks differed greatly, but the law enforcement officer shot Boggess in the back killing him instantly.

Later, a deputy sheriff was hired to keep the peace officer and be a night watchman for the city. It was recorded that he carried a pistol in his holster that was solid iron! No bullets, no moving parts, just an iron pistol which he used to ‘crack’ wrongdoers over the head until they submitted to his commands. Bear in mind this first generation of citizens of Saint Jo was quite well familiar with combat and firearms, having survived the four years of war.

Mr. Boggess senior had been a captain in the Confederate Army and handled all the supplies for his regiment. He was once captured by Union forces and effected an escape. When he was recaptured, one of the Union troopers, acting as a jailer, stabbed him in his hip with a bayonet. For the rest of his life, he had a limp from this wound. Just Sayin…RJS

Saint Jo, Texas was where I was bussed to school b... (show quote)

History classes would have been far more interesting if stories like this had been told. Good one RJ.

bknecht Loc: Northeast pa

Robert J Samples wrote:

Saint Jo, Texas was where I was bussed to school beginning in the sixth grade. It was a frontier town, probably included in what the Comanches considered as part of the Comancheria (Their hunting range)! During the Civil War and even after Indian raids and depredations were a common event and many were killed and scalped. Usually, these bodies were buried where they fell, due to the constant threat of further raids.

Keeping the peace in a town where the first building was a saloon, was a job for one tough hombre. I am not clear on the details but the son of one of the founders by the name of Boggess was what you might term ‘rough around the edges and by some descriptions did not think any of the local laws or deputies applied to his conduct. He had been jailed several times but was a difficult person for law enforcement to deal.

I can only assume he drank, and probably to the excess. There was another ‘dust up’ and law enforcement officers were summoned from other towns and the County Seat to attempt to quell and arrest this Boggess character. In this event, the details told by different folks differed greatly, but the law enforcement officer shot Boggess in the back killing him instantly.

Later, a deputy sheriff was hired to keep the peace officer and be a night watchman for the city. It was recorded that he carried a pistol in his holster that was solid iron! No bullets, no moving parts, just an iron pistol which he used to ‘crack’ wrongdoers over the head until they submitted to his commands. Bear in mind this first generation of citizens of Saint Jo was quite well familiar with combat and firearms, having survived the four years of war.

Mr. Boggess senior had been a captain in the Confederate Army and handled all the supplies for his regiment. He was once captured by Union forces and effected an escape. When he was recaptured, one of the Union troopers, acting as a jailer, stabbed him in his hip with a bayonet. For the rest of his life, he had a limp from this wound. Just Sayin…RJS

Saint Jo, Texas was where I was bussed to school b... (show quote)

bknecht Loc: Northeast pa

Robert J Samples wrote:

Saint Jo, Texas was where I was bussed to school beginning in the sixth grade. It was a frontier town, probably included in what the Comanches considered as part of the Comancheria (Their hunting range)! During the Civil War and even after Indian raids and depredations were a common event and many were killed and scalped. Usually, these bodies were buried where they fell, due to the constant threat of further raids.

Keeping the peace in a town where the first building was a saloon, was a job for one tough hombre. I am not clear on the details but the son of one of the founders by the name of Boggess was what you might term ‘rough around the edges and by some descriptions did not think any of the local laws or deputies applied to his conduct. He had been jailed several times but was a difficult person for law enforcement to deal.

I can only assume he drank, and probably to the excess. There was another ‘dust up’ and law enforcement officers were summoned from other towns and the County Seat to attempt to quell and arrest this Boggess character. In this event, the details told by different folks differed greatly, but the law enforcement officer shot Boggess in the back killing him instantly.

Later, a deputy sheriff was hired to keep the peace officer and be a night watchman for the city. It was recorded that he carried a pistol in his holster that was solid iron! No bullets, no moving parts, just an iron pistol which he used to ‘crack’ wrongdoers over the head until they submitted to his commands. Bear in mind this first generation of citizens of Saint Jo was quite well familiar with combat and firearms, having survived the four years of war.

Mr. Boggess senior had been a captain in the Confederate Army and handled all the supplies for his regiment. He was once captured by Union forces and effected an escape. When he was recaptured, one of the Union troopers, acting as a jailer, stabbed him in his hip with a bayonet. For the rest of his life, he had a limp from this wound. Just Sayin…RJS

Saint Jo, Texas was where I was bussed to school b... (show quote)

You never cease to amaze RJS, one entertaining adventure after another. As Plumb said, I too would have paid much more attention in history classes had you been the instructor.

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

plumbob wrote:

History classes would have been far more interesting if stories like this had been told. Good one RJ.

No kidding!

dbed Loc: POMME DE TERRE LAKE MISSOURI

History class was for sleeping I learned History from reading historical fiction History teacher gave me an A- because I always slept in his class should have been an A+

Flytier Loc: Wilmington Delaware

All history teachers should be good storytellers.

Barnacles Loc: Northern California

Robert, you should be a volunteer guest speaker in a high school Texas history class!

MuskyJohn Loc: Benton Harbor, MI

Great stories!!! I love the Old West stories.
Thank you!!!

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

Well, since I have been a Rotarian for over 30 years, I have volunteered to present a program of telling stories here in Round Rock and other towns. I've already visited one, and have two more who are interested.