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 Pine Street Shoot Out
N 32° 26.972 W 099° 43.973
14S E 431114 N 3590501
Texas Historical Marker at the northeast corner of Pine and North 1st Streets, Abilene, TX, noting this as the site of a fatal gunfight that took place in 1884 over alcohol prohibition.
Waymark Code: WMVN2Q
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 05/07/2017
Views: 5
There is an addendum plaque, not referenced in the THC Atlas:
Historical Marker Project Contributors
Abilene Indoor Gun Range
James M. Alexander & Co.
Mr. & Mrs. Downing Bolls Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. Glendel L. Bruce
Sheriff Les D. Bruce & Family *
Philip L. Bruce & Family
Jimmy & Peggy Campbell
COBAN Technologies, Inc.
The Collins Families of Mississippi & Texas
John Cummins & Family *
David Doherty & Family *
Theron Durant & Family
GT Distributors, Inc.
James D. Hill & Family *
Lone Star Electric
Cheryl Mynar & Family
Tommy & Kelly Pope *
Prisoner Transportation Services (PTS)
Taylor County Historical Commission
* Denotes Officers of The Taylor County Sheriff's Office
"Pine Street Shootout" Historical Marker, Abilene Texas
Marker Number: 16528
Marker Text:
When the young railroad town of Abilene incorporated in 1883, the first city officials desired to project a more civilized image to visitors and new settlers, as the new town had already developed a lawless reputation since its 1881 founding. Strong laws prohibiting several forms of disorderliness were enacted, especially in places where alcohol was served. Ordinances made it illegal to fire a gun within the city limits, and gambling was completely outlawed.
On the evening of January 8, 1884, city alderman Frank Collins and his brother, Walter, who was a Taylor County deputy sheriff, entered a saloon at the northeast corner of North First and Pine Streets. The saloon proprietor, Zeno L. Hemphill, confronted Frank Collins about the newly-passed anti-gambling laws. (Hemphill had been convicted of assault in 1880 and was scheduled for an April 1884 trial for killing a man the previous year.) Angry words, and then punches, were exchanged, and Hemphill drew a gun and shot Walter Collins, who had stepped between the two men. Gunfire then broke out between Frank Collins and Hemphill. When the dust settled, Walter Collins and Zeno Hemphill were dead, and Frank Collins died from his injuries after two months.
As a result of the incident, the enforcement of the new city ordinances became a top priority. John J. Clinton was appointed as city marshal, and he served in the position for 37 years. In addition, the episode likely influenced voting in the June 1887 state prohibition election, in which Abilene citizens voted "dry," although the state voted against prohibition. A city prohibition law was defeated in 1894, but in 1902, citizens voted to ban alcohol sales within the city limits, and Abilene saloons remained shuttered for 75 years. (2010)
Marker is Property of the State of Texas
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