Alfred Allee
Encyclopedia
Alfred Y. Allee was an American
lawman
prominent in Texas in the late 19th century, with somewhat of a reputation for quick and casual violence, and for shooting prisoners after they had already surrendered.
Allee became deputy sheriff
of Karnes County, Texas
, in 1882. That very same year, he shot and killed a robbery suspect under questionable circumstances; it was said Allee was merely settling an old score. He was charged, but not convicted, of the man's murder
.
While deputy sheriff of Frio County, Allee became involved in a disagreement with another sheriff's deputy about which man was the faster draw. Allee, packing two six-guns
, shot the man eight times, killing him instantly. He was again acquitted of the charge of murder when witnesses testified that the other deputy had drawn his gun first, and Allee only defended himself.
It must be said, however, that despite his penchant for shooting seemingly defenseless targets, Allee was not himself a coward. In September 1888, Allee was assigned to hunt down Brack Cornett
, a vicious train and bank robber, whom he tracked to the Arizona Territory
and shot dead after a heated gun battle on horseback.
Aside from having a quick temper, Allee was also a racist with a profound hatred of blacks. Once a black porter
shoved Allee while he was boarding a train, and Allee immediately shot the man through the heart. For the third time he stood trial for murder, and for the third time he was acquitted, largely due to the race of the victim.
Allee was stabbed to death in a barroom brawl in Laredo in Webb County
in 1896.
Allee's son (Alfred Young Allee) was a notable Texas Ranger for 37 years.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
lawman
Sheriff
A sheriff is in principle a legal official with responsibility for a county. In practice, the specific combination of legal, political, and ceremonial duties of a sheriff varies greatly from country to country....
prominent in Texas in the late 19th century, with somewhat of a reputation for quick and casual violence, and for shooting prisoners after they had already surrendered.
Allee became deputy sheriff
Sheriff
A sheriff is in principle a legal official with responsibility for a county. In practice, the specific combination of legal, political, and ceremonial duties of a sheriff varies greatly from country to country....
of Karnes County, Texas
Karnes County, Texas
Karnes County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of 2000, the population was 15,446. Its county seat is Karnes City. Karnes County is named for Henry Karnes, a soldier in the Texas Revolution.-Geography:...
, in 1882. That very same year, he shot and killed a robbery suspect under questionable circumstances; it was said Allee was merely settling an old score. He was charged, but not convicted, of the man's murder
Murder
Murder is the unlawful killing, with malice aforethought, of another human being, and generally this state of mind distinguishes murder from other forms of unlawful homicide...
.
While deputy sheriff of Frio County, Allee became involved in a disagreement with another sheriff's deputy about which man was the faster draw. Allee, packing two six-guns
Revolver
A revolver is a repeating firearm that has a cylinder containing multiple chambers and at least one barrel for firing. The first revolver ever made was built by Elisha Collier in 1818. The percussion cap revolver was invented by Samuel Colt in 1836. This weapon became known as the Colt Paterson...
, shot the man eight times, killing him instantly. He was again acquitted of the charge of murder when witnesses testified that the other deputy had drawn his gun first, and Allee only defended himself.
It must be said, however, that despite his penchant for shooting seemingly defenseless targets, Allee was not himself a coward. In September 1888, Allee was assigned to hunt down Brack Cornett
Brack Cornett (outlaw)
Brack Cornett was a prominent outlaw born in Goliad County, Texas, some time in the mid 19th Century.He is most well known as a member of the Bill Whitley gang , primarily bank and train robbers, that operated in Texas in the 1880s...
, a vicious train and bank robber, whom he tracked to the Arizona Territory
Arizona Territory
The Territory of Arizona was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from February 24, 1863 until February 14, 1912, when it was admitted to the Union as the 48th state....
and shot dead after a heated gun battle on horseback.
Aside from having a quick temper, Allee was also a racist with a profound hatred of blacks. Once a black porter
Porter (railroad)
A porter is a railway employee assigned to assist passengers aboard a passenger train or to handle their baggage; it may be used particularly to refer to employees assigned to assisting passengers in the sleeping cars....
shoved Allee while he was boarding a train, and Allee immediately shot the man through the heart. For the third time he stood trial for murder, and for the third time he was acquitted, largely due to the race of the victim.
Allee was stabbed to death in a barroom brawl in Laredo in Webb County
Webb County, Texas
Webb County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. The official 2010 population for the county is 250,304. In 2000, its population was 193,117, and in 2006 its population had been estimated to have reached to 231,470. Its county seat is Laredo...
in 1896.
Allee's son (Alfred Young Allee) was a notable Texas Ranger for 37 years.