Emmett Shelton (1905-2000) tells of the life of Ernest Thurman in the 1920s and 30s. Ernest sold Emmett 50 acres of land for $50 worth of lumber. The family built a Dance Pavillion on Bee Cave Road across from the County Line. 
        The Thurmans were bootleggers and had a good business with drinking and dancing at the pavilion. Ernest was a hard worker, who lived off the land and carried a gun. Emmett defended him in court.
        In time, Ernest and his father-in-law (Albert Brusk) did not get along when they drank. One night, the feud ended with a shooting death the Ernest Thurman on Bee Cave Road. 
         For too many early Westlakers, defending life with a gun was an everyday challenge in the 30s. 

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Stories told by Emmett Shelton / compiled and submitted by Cynthia Shelton.