Ch3 Cedar Choppers Ep.5 Hill Country Feudin'

Our Westlake

Emmett Shelton (1905-2000) tells first-hand stories of three early Westlakers: Tom, Homer and Jesse Teague.
In the 1910-20s, Tom was a cedar chopper - a Hill Country "go to guy" for hard jobs. As a young man, he joined in a rock fight in Austin one night. He hit a boy and broke the boy's back. The court banished Tom to the Hills. A few years later, Tom got into a feud with 'Stark' a neighbor in Oak Hill and shots flew. Emmett defended him at trial, but Tom boasted - he still got off with a $15 fine. The feud went on.
Later, brother Homer feuded with Tom, challenging Tom with an ax on Congress Ave. when he went to town for groceries .
Cousin Jesse was drafted in WWII and on his return In the 1940s, he moved to the Hill Country. He feuded with a neighbor over abuse of his goat. A few years later, Emmett defended Jesse against a murder charge in Austin. Jesse told Emmett "I don't remember but if that SOB hit me, I sure as Hell would have hit him back". Emmett did what he could. It went to trial, and Jesse got off.
Each of the Teague family was a hard-working, good-hearted character on his own and helped Emmett build Westlake.
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Music by Emmett's son Polk Shelton

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