W. C. Brooks
1884
Wharton County Sheriff
Galveston Daily News July 1, 1884
SERIOUS SHOOTING AFFRAY
Sheriff Brooks Dangerously Wounded by W.S. Gibbs
[Special To The News]
Wharton, June 30.- A shooting scrape occurred here this afternoon about 5 o clock which resulted in the serious, if not fatal, wounding of the sheriff, W. C. Brooks. The facts, as near as could be learned, are as follows;
The sheriff arrested W.S. Gibbs, who resides in Hungerford in Wharton county charging him with disturbing the peace. Gibbs was carried before Justice Armstrong and, on trial, was released. Some hot words passed between Brooks and Gibbs, and the latter left the courthouse, crossed the street, and entered the store of Jones & Lyons. W.C. Brooks and his brother Eugene came out of the courthouse nearly opposite Jones & Lyons store, Gibbs stepped to the door of the store with a Winchester and the firing began. Eugene received a shot through the left arm and stepped around and laid his gun on the fence to rest. W.C. Brooks ran across the street, pistol in hand and as he approached the door was shot by Gibbs just above the left nipple and is now lying in critical condition. Gibbs made his escape and is now at large. He is about five feet ten inches high, blue eyes, fair complexion and probably forty years old.
April 26, 1885 - Galveston Daily News
THE DEADLY SHOT-GUN
W.C. Gibbs Killed At Wharton by Eugene Brooks - Particulars of The Tragedy
Richmond, April 25.- The shot-gun did its work yesterday evening. While District Court was in session at Wharton, Mr. Eugene Brooks shot and instantly killed Mr. W.C. Gibbs. The killing took place as follows, as near as THE NEWS reporter could ascertain:
It will be remembered that last summer a difficulty occurred between Gibbs, Brooks and his brother Clarence Brooks, who was then Sheriff of Wharton County, in which Gibbs killed Clarence and dangerously wounded Eugene.
The community was pretty evenly divided as to who was to blame in this matter, Gibbs also being wounded.
Both Eugene Brooks and Gibbs got well, and at the present term of court Gibbs was indicted by the Grand Jury for the part he took in killing of Brooks. When the indictment was returned into court by the grand jury was ordered to give bond, Gibbs stepped out, not being accompanied by an officer to get his bondsman. Just as he passed out of the courtyard he was met by Brooks, who had a double barreled shotgun in his hands, and instantly fired at Gibbs, emptying both barrels into him, which caused instant death. Brooks at once surrendered himself to the officers of the law, and Gibbs was brought today and buried in the Richmond cemetery. Gibbs had a pistol, but did not have time, even if he tried to, to use it. One account says he had his hand on his pistol, and attempted to draw it, while all agrees that he did not draw it.
The transaction is deeply regretted by the entire community, but what will be the result, no one knows. Gibbs leaves a family and was a very peaceable citizen judge.
This page researched and written by Janet Barrett Hobizal in June 2007, From records found at the Wharton County Historical Museum
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