Texas State Historical Association - My Texas

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Boomtown Justice

My father, J. P. Lester Sr., was a rig-building contractor working out of Wink, Texas, during the area's oil boom in the 1920s. I was too young to remember much of that colorful era but my father's many tales of the rowdy goings-on of the local gentry kept me spellbound. It was better than a "picture show."

The one that impressed me most was that of a local, all-powerful lawman known as "Heavy" Brakeen. (That's the way Dad pronounced it, but I'm not sure of the spelling.) According to Dad, he was as mean and ornery as the people he arrested--maybe more so. He was deadly with his pistol and didn't hesitate to use it, unprovoked sometimes, just to show he could. Everyone in Wink and the surrounding area feared the sight of him. The jail was too small to hold all the lawbreakers so Brakeen had a post set in the ground outside and chained the overflow prisoners to it. It must have been brutal in the scorching summers and the unmerciful winters there. He felt no pity for anyone.

The lawman had one little chink in his armor: he liked to sample the illegal moonshine he held for evidence. On one such occasion his deeply rooted hatred for a local citizen began to erupt and he went looking for him. He was telling everyone he saw that he was going to kill the man on sight. As luck would have it, his intended victim was just returning from a dove-hunting trip. As soon as he was spotted by a good Samaritan he was informed that Brakeen was out to do him harm. The hunted became the hunter and soon he saw the lawman staggering down the street. He slammed on his brakes and leaped out of the car with shotgun in hand. "Turn around, you old S.O.B, I don't want to shoot you in the back," he warned. Brakeen whirled with his pistol drawn and ready, but too late, as the birdshot hit him square in the gut.

As he lay dying it is said that many gathered around to witness the drama. Some of them remarked that he had no reason to whimper because of all the people he had sent to an early grave. He died right there on the board sidewalk of Wink, Texas. The best I can remember, the judge ruled it self-defense and no charges were filed.

"Heavy" Brakeen's body lay in state all the next day so that those who wished could come and pay him a final visit. The day went by with no one showing up. Just as the undertaker was about to close for the day an elderly black man came in wanting to see "Mr. Heavy." The undertaker asked if he was a friend of the deceased. He answered, "No, sir, I just wanted to make damn sure he was dead." He then walked out into the setting sun with a smile on his face and whistling a happy tune.

George Lester
Elkhart, Texas
Published: November 20, 2005