Hutto, Texas Robbed
Fall of 1881By C. W. Flinn
In the fall of 1881, the town of Hutto was only a struggling Village stretched long the south side of the Rail Road track. There was only two stores, one, D. J.
Davis, the other J. A. Blanc (torn).
It was at the latter place one night that the town loafers, Judge Goodwin, Ben Hutto, Charles Wesley Hutto, John Mong, W.S. Mackerel, Will Bernah and myself, C.W. Flinn were lounging
around when three horsemen rode into the town. They hitched their horses and walked into the store. Although the strangers did not attract any particular attention as in those days it was not unusual to see cowboys passing through.
Frequently they would stop for some Salmon to eat which was popular with everyone. After eating them in the back of the house, two of the cowboys came to the front door , whirled around and pulled Red Handkerchiefs over their faces.
They drew the Biggest Six Shooters; I have ever seen and ordered us all to raise our hand. Every Hand went straight up! A third man came up from the rear And they had us hemmed in between the counter. One held his gun on us as the others took our knives, keys, and money. Then they had us sit on the middle counter and helped themselves to all the clothing tobacco and candy they wanted. Two others customers came in as the fun was going on and they searched and robbed them too before having them join the rest of us.
The safe was locked and Will Buraf, the Clerk, could not unlock it. So besides the store goods, they got away with $80.00 in cash, all our knives, and gold watch and chain from Judge Goodwin. They failed to get 7.50 in currency he had (undecipherable) (tear) they also got a brass watch from W. S. Mackerel.
When they got through, they marched us out to the horses, mounted and rode away. There were ten convict guards in 100 yards of us but we could not get their (tear) attention.
After two years, one of the robbers was killed resisting arrest. Of the other two, one was later arrested and sent to the Pen. The other one was never caught. One of them caught had old Judge Goodwin’s watch and the other his chain. So judge gave (tear) July one of a number of Robberies that was committed that year of those present at the robbery as far as I know, all are still living except Judge Goodwin and Charlie Hutto. They are scattered from Maryland to the state of Washington, with only one reaming in Hutto.
Though a little surprised when things opened up (undecipherable) they were robbing the store W.S. Mackerel was scared so bad he made so much Racket the robbers had to threaten to knock him down and had to make him put his hands down.
C.W. (F?) Flinn
