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Engle
Chronicles 1921
The Death of
Badman Monte Petersor
Don't fool with the law when
supper's waiting
by John Troesser |
Fayette
County historian George Koudelka
(whose father was from Engle and whose mother was
from Praha) told us the story of how
his grandfather once assisted Schulenburg
police when prison escapee Monte Peters blew into town with a stolen roadster
in 1921.
The police in Schulenburg
had noted Monte's appearance in town - and weren't all that anxious to approach
him. They phoned down to Engle for Deputy Rudolph
Stavinoha to lend a hand since he was a Spanish
American War veteran and to their thinking - he'd be more qualified to deal
with escaped convicts.
Rudolph took the call and agreed to help - although
he was about to sit down to eat dinner. He arrived on the scene and found Monte
in "his" car with the patrolmen maintaining a respectful distance.
Deputy
Stavinoha approached the car and asked the man his name. Monte freely admitted
that until recently he had been receiving his mail at Huntsville.
Monte Peters seriously underestimated the county deputy - perhaps mistaking
him for just another timid tin star. When Peters opened the car's glove box -
Rudolph knew at once he wasn't reaching for his insurance papers. He drew his
.45 automatic and literally blew Monte out of his seat and through the unlatched
door of the roadster. Monte's now unconcealed pistol remained unfired.
Rudolph motioned for the Schulenburg
patrolmen to come take over - now that the heavy lifting was done. As he excused
himself, he told them that Mrs. Stavinoha would be mad if he let his dinner get
cold.
© John Troesser
See Engle,
Texas
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