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The Gunfight
While county-seat
disputes were common in Texas, rarely did they
result in fatal gunplay. This was the case however, in the dispute between rivals
Dimmitt and Castro City back
in 1891. Developer Ira Aten and Andy McClelland got into it on the
courthouse lawn and a
plaque commemorates the event today. |
Historical
Marker Text SHOOT-OUT
ON JONES STREETAt
an 1891 meeting to discuss the selection of a Castro County seat, words were exchanged
between Ira Aten, a retired Texas Ranger speaking on behalf of Castro City, and
Andrew McClelland, a spokesman for Dimmitt. The
inflammatory remarks led to a gunfight between the two men on December 23, five
days after Dimmitt was chosen county seat. In
an exchange of shots in the middle of Jones Street, Aten wounded Andrew McClelland
and his brother Hugh. Aten was acquitted of the assault charges and a short time
later was appointed Castro County sheriff. | |
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