Ch11 Westlake Tales Ch2 Prohibition n Bootleggers

Our Westlake

Emmett Shelton Sr. spent many years as a criminal defense atty in the hillcounty, getting (and keeping) bootleggers out of jail! In this episode he tells 7 of his favorite first-hand experiences. Prohibition was ratified nationally in 1919 and it was repealed in most counties in 1935.
Emmett's first story takes us to the days when Prohibition was just a proposal and Emmett's Papa, John E. Shelton, was against it at the South Austin Democratic Precinct level.
Next, is a story of local Westlake Bootleggers who ran a local dance pavilion on Bee Cave Road in the 20s. Albert Brust killed his stepson Ernest Thurman after a family feud and a night of drinking. Emmett defended Ernest and he got off. Next, Emmett tells of a murder case of a Westlake Bootlegger, Earl Short. Emmett got him off on self-defense. Next, is a story of Ike Young, his still on Bee Creek and Westlake Drive, a murder of a Revenuer, and a possible hiding place of outlaw, Ben Thompson.
Emmett follows with a tale about an interesting trial of a bootlegger where the defense atty drank the evidence, with a gulp, during the trial. Emmett has another tale about the Capitol Bootlegger Fred Roose who got cross-ways with the Texas Rangers and lost out on his planned trip to Europe.
And then, Emmett tells a very interesting bootlegger trial involving a state's stoolpigeon who (Emmett pointed out) had transported the evidence crossed county lines.
Finally, just before prohibition was repealed the liquor distributors were preparing - but a gun shot gave them away. Emmett had an interesting experience emptying a liquor warehouse before police could raid it.
Music: The Alcoholic Blues (Prohibition Song) by Bill Murray (1919)
The Alcoholic Blues by Slipdixies (2017)
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Stories told by Emmett Shelton / compiled and submitted by Cynthia Shelton.