The Death of a Sheriff, John Quincy Daugherty

The story when I first read it, was like reading a newspaper article.  It left a great deal to the imagination and even the witnesses told different accounts.  The best version of understanding was the mixing of the stories.  William Swinton Bennett Owens and family (probably Robert Owens and WSB's sons) ran a general store in Uvalde, Texas.  Besides being elected Justice of the Peace in Uvalde County, WSB was a businessman, involved in freighters, a gristmill, ranching and cattle driving.  He had left his son in the store overnight to protect his investments.  It was known that Uvalde was a tough town and often drunkards would cause havoc in stores, breaking in and stealing merchandise.  When WSB went to open the store in the morning, he found his young son Billie, 19 years old, "abused and beaten"  (I took this to mean the full intent of the word).  Billie had recognized the culprit as Joseph Robinson among others, who  said Robinson had come in drunk.  That morning, William P Owens (Billie) found Joseph Robinson (probably recovering from a hangover) and during a gun battle, killed Robinson for the "abuse".  Billie was arrested by John Quincy Daughtery.  This is where the law becomes clouded with the feud between Daughterys and Owens. 

Some issue unknown to me had occurred between Robert Jackson Owens, son of WSB, and John Quincy Daugherty.  Mr. Daugherty had placed a lawsuit against said Owens.  While in the general store, Robert being a man "who loved his cups" (meaning he got drunk often) and was stumbling drunk during this conversation, said "Daugherty, I suppose you are going to sue me" and the reply was "Yes, I have already done it".  After an exchange of words, a fight broke out between the two and Robert drew a knife which Daugherty used to cut Robert Owens.  Thus, John Q Daugherty was charged with assault with intent to kill Robert J. Owens.  My personal opinion is that Robert, who we know to be a hardened Indian fighter, was probably in the wrong and knew it, and like a drunken idiot got cut with his own knife.  It must have taken immense self control not to kill Robert.  I had read somewhere that John Quincy was disillusioned with war and concerned with the poverty stricken who were forced into battles while the rich became richer off the widows and orphans.  I wondered after this knife fight if Mr. Daugherty had nightmares.  

Daugherty never went to trial for the attempted murder, because Robert was killed soon after they rescued a small girl from a kidnapping by a desperado.  

Uvalde Jail

Rear of Uvalde Jail

After learning of the store break in and the abuse, John Quincy Daugherty had arrested William P Owens (Billie) for the murder of Robinson.  The Owens gang, which consisted of Wylie Dodd, Balis and Robert Bates, Thomas and James Cooke, John Wilburn and a negro of George Griffin (owned by WSB Owens) came riding into Uvalde "drunk and cursing and shooting" up to the courthouse.  John Quincy Daugherty walked out onto the porch of the courthouse (some say the second floor balcony) to confront the mob.  WSB called out to the Sheriff "I have come for my boy".  Who knows what was said.  The accounts are different saying as soon as he stepped out he was shot. Some say he said "let the law take its course".  Regardless, he was flipped over the porch railing with a bullet in his head.  All sounds exciting and rowdy and I believe myself to be somewhat desensitized to the events at first (probably due to my love of western movies).

 Members of the town militia were inside guarding the prisoner and all hell broke loose.  The gang hid behind trees and in shops doors and opened fire on the militia.  It was witnessed that some dove out of the windows and headed from safety.  Billie Owens escaped the lawmen and rejoined his family, and forever set a wave of catastrophe and shame that followed the Owens family.  

Sarah Pickett Daugherty

I think about how Sarah Pickett Daugherty was told..or did she see?  Was she sitting at the ranch just across from the Owens ranch? 

Was she in town for the trial against Billie Owens? She was pregnant with her fourth son and was caring for three young boys, a 10 year old, an 8 year old, a five year old and a three year old little girl.  Her two sisters lived with her as well.  I can only imagine her sorrow, the town's shock and the children's grief.  

A few months later, Sarah buried her sweet little daughter Louisa, next to her husband.  Within that one year, Sarah had lost her parents, her husband and a daughter.  She birthed her son without his father, a living legacy he would never know.  It stays with me as I hope it did Billie Owens and WSB.  

James, Thomas, John Q. Jr., William and Mother Sarah (Picket) Daugherty in center

In 1902, Sarah Pickett Daugherty moved to Alpine, Texas to be with her son.  But, when she died, she was buried in Uvalde next to where I believe her love was, next to her husband and daughter.