emmett shelton

Thirty-five years after the Korean War, Gen. Charlie Cooper reflects on his time in the Korean War to his Company men at their first Reunion in 1989.

Lt. Charlie Cooper came to the B Company battlefield as a replacement commander in April 1951. He was seriously wounded in the spine in Mid-June. His prognosis of returning to duty was grim, however his spirit was strong. After extensive rehab he returned to the Marine Leadership, focused on Leadership. Gen. Charlie rose to the Commanding General of the Pacific Fleet Force 1983-85.


Music: Young Marine - Chosin Brotherhood By John Carpino 
#Chosinfew
#KoreanWar
#Bakerbandits
#B-1-5marines
#marinehistory

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

Emmett Shelton Sr. tells of his son Emmett Jr. -- A young Marine Rifleman in the Frozen Chosin Reservoir during the Korean War. Roughly, 73 years ago today.!
The temperatures were below zero. 15,000 Allied troops were attacked by 120,000 Chinese. By Late December, the remaining Forces were evacuated by a 75 mile march out. An estimated 100,000 civilian evacuees left with the Forces. In that month, Allied forces suffered 12,000 casualties, including 3,000 KIA and 6,000 WIA. Emmett Jr, was evacuated for frostbite which led to full disability later in his life. 

Music by Boxcar Willie - Army Pilot in Korean War
#Chosinfew
#KoreanWar
#Bakerbandits
#B-1-5marines

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

With the 2023 Wars in Israel and Ukraine, and Veterans Day, it brings to mind stories of our local Westlake heroes.
Emmett Shelton Sr. knew four, personally. Some of their stories have been told on separate OUR WESTLAKE Episodes but their Valor deserves a focus. Unlike Austin High Football stars like Austin's Overton Gang, these heroes were regular Westlake guys who learned how to shoot before they could read.
Take Buck Simpson (WWI) he never learned to read or tell time - but he was declared a hero compared to the more famous Sargent York. When the few remaining soldiers in his troop were ordered to retreat, he forged forward and turned machine guns on the Germans.
Take Major John Brackenridge (Spanish-American War) As Captain, he led the Texas Ntl. Guard and Governor's Guard.
And then there was Jesse Teague (WWII) who returned from WWII battles to pick up a gun and successfully defend his Westlake home.
Another, closer to home, was Emmett Sr. son, Emmett Jr. (Korean War_. He was a Marine Reservist, called to duty a week after graduating from Austin High, just as War broke out. He fought the Chinese hoards in the battle at Yalu River and the Frozen Chosin Reservoir for 2 months and was evacuated. Emmett Jr. injuries resulted in 100% disability later in life.

Music: Thank You that Old Flag of Mine by Boxcar Willie
(Boxcar Willie was a pilot in the Korean War. He joined the United States Air Force in May 1949, and served as a flight engineer on the B-29 Super Fortress during the Korean War in the early 1950s.)

#Korean War
#AustinTexas
#Austintexasveterans
#AmericanLegion

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

In Part 2, Emmett Shelton Sr tells memories of working with the Austin National Bank to develop Westlake Hills.  One of Emmett's favorite tales is his work buying the land for the Low Water Bridge in 1937 to provide Westlakers access to the City of Austin. 
In 1920, Emmett got his first account at ANB to finance a trip to the first Boy Scout Jamboree in England.  
In 1924, when our rich aunt Lizzie Johnson died, John E. got her $80k on deposit at another bank transferred to ANB -- this gave the Shelton's a good credit rating with ANB. 
And then in the 1940s, Austin banks used to use runners to transfer cash among banks. The system was word-of-mouth and trust.  A Bank Runner at Capital Ntl Bank realized the possibilities! He took $5k from ANB that was intended for CNB and bought a car and left for California -- he got caught and was charged with Theft by False Pretenses and the Shelton's defended the guy. Austin Banks changed their transfer practices.  
Austin Ntl Bank supported us thru the slump in the 1980 and financed the Bull Mountain. In 1983, we sold and took in a check for $1.7mill plus - all debts/taxes paid off. Great Day for All!
Those were the days in Austin Banking - roughly 100 years ago.
#Austinhistory
#Austintexas

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

Emmett Shelton Sr. tells memories of early banking in Austin, in particular Austin Ntl. Bank and its predecessor First Ntl. Bank of Austin -- Roughly 100  years ago. 
In the early 1900s, Emmett's father, John E. Shelton, partnered with AO Sambo and began his law firm in an office on the second floor above the Austin Ntl. Bank on the east side of 5th and Congress. As a young child, Emmett visited the law office often and remembers the early elevator and bank folks. 
One man Emmett remembered in particular was wealthy Mr. Gillfillan who helped Emmett sell bonds for his Boy Scout Troop. Mr. G was also involved in life insurance, and he helped Uncle Crawford's widow get double benefits when he was killed. 
Another interesting story was about ANB president Tom Davis and an early land deal of 80 acres for $3000 in Krause Springs near the Perdernales. He advised Emmett, "Nobody ever went broke by taking a profit." At the time, ANB was holding the 1,000 acre Larson Ranch in WLH valued at $3000 -- which in recent years valued well over $1 million --instead Emmett lost his money on his first land deal at Krause Springs.
And finally, Emmett shares a rare first-person story about O'Henry's early banking job with ANB's, predecessor First Ntl. Bank. 
#Austintexas
#Austinnationalbank
#Austinhistory
#Texasbankhistory

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

Dec. 7 -- 90 years after Pearl Harbor, we remember.  Our World was rocked by by unspeakable act of national terrorism -- by Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 - And So Was Austin !
Emmett Shelton Sr. recalls the day Pearl Harbor rocked his family - and events in Austin afterwards.
Emmett had been working with LBJ on his senatorial race. He had a law practice with a hilltop mansion underway. He had a wife, 2 sons, and another on the way in Austin. He recounts city preparations and his efforts to join the Marines at age 37.
Austin dealt with it by rationing. Several of the Austin High boys entered the armed services -- Paul Pederson and Emmett's brother helped build the nation's Selective Services. Emmett tells of his service in the So. Pacific in the Marines. They learned to fight like hell and not be afraid of anything.
Emmett wraps up by saying: "Before Pearl Harbor, I thought I was too important a man to risk my life, even for my Country - but the Marines taught me that my life, like each Marine's life, didn't mean a thing and yet, that each Man, each Marine, was the Best God ever made."
#austintexas
#austinhistory
#pearlharbor
#Marines
#Americanlegion
 
Music: TAPS blown by Emmett Shelton Sr.

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

Emmett Shelton Sr, continues his tales as a lawyer in Austin related to murders. The first story is that of Emmett's friend Earl Short. He got crosswise with another bootlegger and killed him but Earl was acquitted. Another Austin bootlegger, Sonny Ross, took up with his competitor's unfaithful wife and shot the husband. After new evidence the jury gave Sonny 5 years.
Blondie and Curly Wright were well-known Austin street-fighters in Austin and they beat a man to death. Emmett helped prosecute the case and they were sent to prison. Twenty years later, Curly was arrested again for murder in Bastrop. Curly called Emmett to defend him. Emmett's son Polk got him off.
Marital infidelity is often involved in murder cases. Another Austin case involved a man who killed a neighbor he suspected of fooling around with his wife. An Austin jury sentenced him to 50 years. Another similar case was Tom Carpenter. He shot his wife and Emmett defended Tom but he also got 50 years. 
Maddie Collins lived across Bee Cave Road from the County Line Restaurant. The family was all together and Maddie's husband got to arguing with their daughter.  He shot the daughter in front of her husband and the husband shot the father. Emmett represented the husband and he was cleared by the jury. A lady named Wells was from a wealthy Austin family. She and two men were popular local musicians. She was charged with the butcher knife murder of one of the men who was found dead in her house.  She was not indicted.
#Austintexas
#Austinhistory
#texashillcountry
#texascrime

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

Emmett Shelton Sr. tells stories of two Murder trials in Austin criminal courts. Emmett's father and Emmett and two of his brothers were prominent criminal lawyers in Austin. In the 1920s, Uncle H.C. Greer caught an ex-employee stealing feed from his Austin feed store. The thief shot Uncle Greer and was indicted. Uncle Greer died without filing a statement and the only evidence was a track of a cracked shoe. Dan Moody was a hot-headed prosecutor and this case resulted in a mistrial. It was not retried. 
The second case was in 1933 - the tragic death of Belton mechanic Cal Yarborough's daughter. She was about 9 when she was burned to death.   An insurance claim resulted an indictment. Emmett assisted Mr. Bomer defend Cal. He had spent 6 months in jail before the trial. We had a strong defense but Emmett and Bomer tried to prepare Cal for prison time, but 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 had to go to prison. We won on appeal, but Cal had lost everything - his life was forever changed.

Music: Theme song from Matlock

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

Emmett starts a new Chapter "Law Tales" from his 50-year career as a criminal defense lawyer in Austin roughly 100 years ago.
In the days of Prohibition, Ku Klux Klan, Lynchings and Bonnie and Clyde, Texas Rangers fought evil and took on the Devel himself.
Emmett tells first-hand stories of defending a high-profile bank robber. John Newton, with two other men and their wives, robbed the bank in Coleman. The Texas Ranger caught him in Austin and Emmett stood by John in court. John agreed to 15 years in Huntsville prison. 
#texasprisons
#texashistory
#austintexas

Music: Theme song from Walker Texas Rangers

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

Emmett starts a New Chapter "Law Tales" from his family's 50-year career as criminal defense lawyers in Austin - roughly 100 years ago.
The 1930s 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 and arrested a local bootlegger who serviced the Capitol. Capt. Hammer tripped into a book theft ring at Gammell's Book Store due to a couple of guilty consciences and poor state bookkeeping.  Emmett stood by 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 posted this Episode in Feb 2023 Chapter 4 on Austin Gamblers -- but Frank Hamer deserves a repeat. Renowned for his toughness, marksmanship, and investigative skill, he was the Texas Rangers. Emmett knew him personally and it is deserving that Capt. Hamer set the stage for our Chapter of Emmett's Law Tales.
#AustinTexas
#Texasrangers
#Austinhistory

Music: Theme song Walker Texas Rangers by Chuck Norris

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

Emmett Shelton Sr. tells first-hand stories of his experiences with Gov. Dan Moody.  He was a close personal friend of the Shelton Family. So honest - never took a drink - he smoked - he knew right from wrong and he stuck to it. He was the mortal enemy of graft - could not relax. 
In 1917, Emmett's father was DA and Gov Ferguson was indicted in Travis Co. and Papa dismissed the indictment. Moody's uncle was appointed DA to defeat PaPa. Dan Moody stepped in as DA when his uncle resigned under Gov. Neff. Dan prosecuted the KKK after a number of murders in a rally at Bellville. Papa assisted Dan and convicted the men in high profile case. 
Dan prosecuted the interesting case of the murder of Emmett's Uncle Crawford Greer in Austin. Dan was red-headed and had a temper that showed up in the trial that resulted in a mistrial.
Dan became the leader of the Anti-Klan movement and ran for Attorney General. He had a loose partnership with Barry Miller and Ma Ferguson against the Klan. They distributer bumper stickers saying "Ma, Barry, and Dan - To Hell with the KKK".  They each won the election.
Dan later defeated Ma for re-election as governor.  Emmett worked closely with Dan while he was governor on Game Regulation. Emmett tells an interesting tale of a meeting with Judges and lawyers and problems with the new rules of civil procedures for the court.
In 1929, Dan appointed Ross Sterling to Highway Comm. Ross was in line to step in as Governor after Dan's two terms. 
When he left office, Dan was broke, but he had his reputation and his well-connected secretary.  He moved into an office in the Capitol Ntl. Bank building where the Shelton Law Firm officed. Dan helped Sterling out of a bind with the tumultuous oil industry and with that fee - he bought a Law Library to share. 
#texashistory
#austintexas


Music: Democracy Is Coming by Leonard Cohen

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

Emmett Shelton Sr. tells of his passion in support of Eisenhower.  Emmett starts this episode in mid-stream. He declines the Governor's offer to the Ntl. Democratic Convention, explaining his support for Eisenhower. He describes his worked to build support for Eisenhower in a State that had strong opposition to Stevensons recent action regarding the tidelands.  He spearheaded the Central Texas "Democrats for Eisenhower".  His friend, Mrs. O.H. Davenport, was the ladies Chair for the Central Texas Republicans for Eisenhower. In the days before radio and tv campaigning, they campaigned by flatbed with a megaphone.
#AustinTx
#Austinhistory
#Eisenhower



Music: Democracy by Leonard Cohen

For maps and other info check out our Facebook page: Our Westlake

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

Emmett Shelton Sr. tells of his experiences in state and local politics Getting bonds and acquiring the land for the bridge to WLH and then 40 yeas later named for him. Lobbyist for a state trade association. 
Emmett organized the "Good Government League" to change the direction of the Austin city council and made Frank Erwin (anti-union) as chair.  Emmett worked in the background of state and local conventions and  helped Gov. Shivers be the state delegate from Travis County. 
And then, he heard Eisenhower's campaign speech! He was so moved, he organized Texas Democrats for Ike. His last local democratic convention was LBJ v Kennedy. Emmett supported LBJ and ensured that Kennedy supporters did not embarrass LBJ in his hometown.


Music: Daddy's Dreams by Polk Shelton (Emmett's Son) and Vote Em Out by Willie Nelson

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

Emmett Shelton Sr. tells of his first-hand personal experiences as an Insider with state and local politics. His earliest experiences were with Governor and Mrs. Ferguson. He details a 1930s political take-over of Austin city council. Next, tale is set when FDR as president and the Work Progress Administration Relief Organization was created to build roads and bridges (2k employees in Travis Co). Emmett got on the committee to run the local Relief work and built a lifelong friendship with Judge Raymond from Laredo that paid off later.
#txhistory
#austinhistory
#austintx



Music: Democracy is Coming by to the USA By Leonard Cohen

For maps and other info check out our Facebook page: Our Westlake

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

Lost Tapes - A 1994 interview by Linsey Lane
At the age of 89, Emmett Shelton Sr. reflects on the strength of family love through the generations of his family and in his law practice.
He tells some of his favorite stories, including Hattie, Rob Roy and land development -- always with just a few new details. And a special guest appearance by Joyce.
Emmett has an interesting perspective in answering a question about the anxiety the younger generation has about the future. He advices the younger generation to be honest, be the best you can, don't spend it if you don't have it - keep your head up -- there is always another day. He talks  about the impact media has had over his lifetime and he talks about race relations in his family since the time of Thomas Jefferson.
He ends up with a question of how he spends his days: finishing up a New Civil War Novel, New Austin History Book, Tapes and Joyce always has something planned every day.
Emmett sums it all up by saying:
                In the End, Really Time Doesn't Mean a Thing
                             It's What You Do with It !

Music: Daddy's Dreams by Polk Shelton (Emmett's son)

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

We Just Found More Lost Tapes!!
Emmett Shelton, Sr. recorded this 1994 interview about Developing Westlake Hills. (It's marked Kimmell WLH 94).
Emmett shares memories of his work over the previous 50 years. He discusses his views of the need for public parkland in Westlake - he felt each family should have their own parkland. 
Emmett tells about bringing the newer Westlake children to the little country Eanes School and -- now, 50 years later Eanes Westlake are best in Nation. He talks of the first plan for a discount chain store that was re-buffed.
Emmett tells some WLH history about the 100% vote to incorporate in 1953. Next, was a turning-point for the village. In 1971, it proposed restrictions on its Extra-territorial Jurisdiction. Emmett owned the land and fought it in court. It was an interesting twist.
At the end, Emmett is asked what was the HighPoint - Emmett's Response: "Its a Picture that took a long time to paint and its realization is not finished yet. "
#AustinTexas
#Texashillcountry
#Austinhistory


Music: Daddy's Dreams By: Polk Shelton  - Emmett's Son

For maps and other info check out our Facebook page: Our Westlake

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

We Just Found More Lost Tapes!!
Emmett Shelton, Sr. recorded his 1994 interview about Developing Westlake Hills. (It's marked Kimmell WLH 94).
Emmett shares memories of early work with banks on appraisals, work with planners and issues like drainage and erosion control on hill country developments. He tells of a project his son, Jeffery Dochen, took on, the Forests of Westlake.
And, then Emmett shares a detailed, first-hand account of the 1961 fire that threatened our community's whole world.
Emmett was asked about his proudest accomplishment - he responded --the building of Our Westlake -- 4-5 thousand acres of purely residential development and it is an Anti-SOB Society.  Emmett ends with his claim that there are fewer commercial endeavors in Westlake 1994 than there were in the 1930s -- back then there were few families and 4 illegal stills in the area.

 (From Cyndie about the Fire - In 1961, We lived on Caravan Circle and us 4 kids were all under 7 and we had Chicken Pox. My Dad took our old firetruck and was fighting the fire for days. Our neighbors came over to survey the fire from the high hill. They helped Mother hose down the roof in case it came up the hill. 
Funny what you remember - watching my Dad on Austin TV.  "Uncle Jay" (Our local kids show's host , who moonlighted as a reporter) interviewed him about fighting the fire.  We hadn't seen him for several days - never forget - his eyes were red, he was coughing and his voice was hoarse - I thought he might not make it home.)

Music: Daddy's Dreams - Polk Shelton, Emmett's Son (Youtube)

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

Dear Listeners - this tape is a challenge - please take the extra care to make it out - One-of-a-kind stories!
Emmett Shelton Sr tells of his experiences with one of the most famous Austinites, Hattie Valdes. She ran a famous Austin bordello known as Hattie's Place. Texas legislators were rumored to be among her most frequent customers. Hattie was well-known by most folks in Austin in the 1950s.
Emmett tells of his first encounter with Hattie in 1929, she wanted a divorce but had no cash. She paid her bill with a fine set of bedroom furniture, with a twist. Then, she wanted to draw up her Will to include her illegal business. Austin Court Records show that in 1934 Hattie was charged with owning an illegal gambling device - called a 'marble table' - which was destroyed at Hattie's expense.
Hattie's first of many arrests was in 1955 by her buddy Austin Sheriff T. O. Lang.  Eventually, District Atty Tom Blackwell filed for a permanent injunction to close her bordello, which Hattie promptly violated. Judge Garner ordered her to serve 3 days in jail and it wasn't the last.
Time Magazine (Jan. 1964) in an issue devoted to the Texas mystique - included a one-sentence description of Austin -- moonlight towers, broad and clean streets — and a well-known South Austin brothel where “the star attraction has a skunk tattooed on each buttock.” 
Emmett tells of a real estate investment Hattie made in Bluff Springs that went wrong and Emmett tried to set it straight. Austin has many crazy stories regarding Hattie for instance: She catered the sheriff convention, and put the "party" in Democratic party. Hattie brought her girls from out-of-state to "earn" their college tuition. Her old lawyer Bob Flanagan slowed down the expansion of Austin city limits to keep Hattie's Place outside the city limits. 
In the 1950s, Hattie developed a partnership with Tim Overton and his brothers. The Overton Gang was Austin's own band of men who robbed banks, stole cars and ran prostitution rings. Tim was a star football player at Austin High and got a scholarship to the University of Texas under Daryl Royal -- But, then he and his pals went wrong.
In 1960, Hattie was working out of the M&M Courts on So. Congress and was said to have partnered with the Gang. However, after an old west style shoot-out due to a deal gone wrong, Hattie left Austin.
Hattie then moved to her operations to Cuero where she also struggled keeping her businesses open despite numerous encounters with the law.
Hattie Valdes died in 1976.
 
After her death, Hattie left her three houses in So. Austin, the rest of her estate to her daughter, a Sister in the Order of the Holy Cross.


Music By: Best Little Whore House in Texas, Dolly Parton (Youtube)

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

Emmett Shelton Sr. tells us about his uncle, a founding father of Dripping Springs, Dr. E.P. Shelton. 
Emmett starts off with the aftermath of the Hanging of Uncle Sam and the disappearance of Great Grandpa Shelton. Great Grandma was left with 4 children in 1870s Central Texas. She became a school teacher.  
Uncle Ed always wanted to be a doctor. In the summer of 1885, he and his brother John E. picked cotton at a ranch on Onion Creek. Uncle Ed went to Louisville for one year and after graduation, he settled in Dripping Springs and married Lulu Spaw. They had 13 children and he served as the only doctor in the area. 
Emmett tells of everyday life in Dripping Springs, Roughly 100 years ago. Feeding the family, sharing their first car and daylong wagon rides  from South Austin to Dripping Springs (25 miles) for a visit. 
Emmett shares a story of the first Dripping Springs football game in 1925. They played Buda and there were seven Shelton boys on the field for the Dripping Springs Team.  We Won!!
If you are from Dripping Springs - don't miss these tales!

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

Emmett Shelton, Sr. tells stories of the Greer-side of the family out in Dripping Springs -- dating back to a "plantation" in Navasota before the Civil War.  Emmett recounts his earliest memory of visiting Great GrandMa Greer prior to her death.  After a long life, with few modern conveniences  - Great Grandma was run over by a train!!
GrandPa Greer (William Henry Greer) served in the Civil War and met and married Grandma in 1872 at the Johnson Institute. He moved to Fitzhugh Rd. and was a horse trader after the War. They had seven children. Emmett tells a memory of a full day (25 mile) wagon trip from So. Austin to Dripping Springs. After Grandma Greer died in the 20s, GrandPa moved into our house  -- Emmett has even more stories about GrandPa adjusting to life in So. Austin -- Roughly 100 years ago.
If you have any Greers in your family, or live in Dripping Springs (Fitzhugh Rd.) be sure to listen in. 

Music By: Southern Rail - The Hills that I call Home (YouTube)

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