The most famous political rivalry in Milam County history came to a disastrous conclusion June 20, 1905, when a gunfight erupted in the hallway of the current courthouse. Ex-sheriff Giles C. Avriett was killed by Sheriff Robert Todd. Details are sketchy, but newspapers reported that three shots were fired including two from Todd's Colt 45 that struck Avriett twice in the back. He later died and was buried in Oak Hill Cemetery.
the two men had been the closest of friends before they became political rivals in 1902 when both vied for the job of sheriff. A heated battle between the two men ensued. Avriett, a former constable from Maysfield, defeated Todd, who had held the office since 1896. In a political turnabout in 1904, voters favored Todd over Avriett. Though the two men became bitter enemies because of their political aspirations, accounts of the shooting do not reveal what touched off the deadly gunfight that erupted in the courthouse hallway at 9 a.m. on June 20.
Article from Temple Daily Telegram dated April 20, 2009.
the two men had been the closest of friends before they became political rivals in 1902 when both vied for the job of sheriff. A heated battle between the two men ensued. Avriett, a former constable from Maysfield, defeated Todd, who had held the office since 1896. In a political turnabout in 1904, voters favored Todd over Avriett. Though the two men became bitter enemies because of their political aspirations, accounts of the shooting do not reveal what touched off the deadly gunfight that erupted in the courthouse hallway at 9 a.m. on June 20.
Article from Temple Daily Telegram dated April 20, 2009.
The most famous political rivalry in Milam County history came to a disastrous conclusion June 20, 1905, when a gunfight erupted in the hallway of the current courthouse. Ex-sheriff Giles C. Avriett was killed by Sheriff Robert Todd. Details are sketchy, but newspapers reported that three shots were fired including two from Todd's Colt 45 that struck Avriett twice in the back. He later died and was buried in Oak Hill Cemetery.
the two men had been the closest of friends before they became political rivals in 1902 when both vied for the job of sheriff. A heated battle between the two men ensued. Avriett, a former constable from Maysfield, defeated Todd, who had held the office since 1896. In a political turnabout in 1904, voters favored Todd over Avriett. Though the two men became bitter enemies because of their political aspirations, accounts of the shooting do not reveal what touched off the deadly gunfight that erupted in the courthouse hallway at 9 a.m. on June 20.
Article from Temple Daily Telegram dated April 20, 2009.
the two men had been the closest of friends before they became political rivals in 1902 when both vied for the job of sheriff. A heated battle between the two men ensued. Avriett, a former constable from Maysfield, defeated Todd, who had held the office since 1896. In a political turnabout in 1904, voters favored Todd over Avriett. Though the two men became bitter enemies because of their political aspirations, accounts of the shooting do not reveal what touched off the deadly gunfight that erupted in the courthouse hallway at 9 a.m. on June 20.
Article from Temple Daily Telegram dated April 20, 2009.
Gravesite Details
Shares double stone with Ida C Avriett
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