The following is a partial account of the life and times of Edgar T. Neal. This story will be the final chapter or Part III of the book, The Texas Rangers & the San Saba Mob. This series is the narrative for the application of a new Texas Historical Subject Marker for San Saba County. Endnotes are available upon request. Ross J. Cox, Sr.
Part 6.
While Neal had his hands full with the Klan in San Saba County, his brother-in-law, Lee O. Allen, sheriff of Williamson County, was working with District Attorney Daniel J. Moody investigating a Klan crime. A white traveling salesman by the name of Burleson, was given a warning by the local Klan to leave. Burleson refused and on Easter Sunday 1923, ten Klansmen flogged, tarred, and feathered him. With the investigative help of Sheriff Allen, Moody became famous for the successful prosecution of the “Ku Klux Klan Trials” in Georgetown between September 1923 and February 1924, which resulted in prison sentences. It was the first prosecutorial success in the US against the Klan and weakened its political influence in Texas. 29
When Dan Moody was persuaded to run for Texas Attorney General, his first campaign speech was arranged by the Old Scout and the Bartlett Peach in San Saba. Moody’s speech had mixed results. His accusations against the KKK were met with lusty cheers. However, when he claimed that he was for the continuation of prohibition, the cheers went silent. Despite the hot and cold reception, Moody would be elected Attorney General later that year. His campaign manager was Mrs. Edgar T. Neal. Moody became Texas Governor in 1926 and 1928, the youngest person ever elected to both statewide offices. He would not forget the support the Neal’s had given him. 30
In April 1925, the Texas Game, Fish and Oyster Commission was re-organized with the state being divided into five districts. Neal was appointed the new Deputy Game, Fish and Oyster Commissioner under the Ferguson Administration. His territory extended over Lampasas, Burnet, McCulloch, Mills, Brown, and Coleman counties. He and his wife were active members of the Izaak Walton League, an environmental organization founded in 1922 that promoted natural resource protection and outdoor recreation. Like many Texans, Neal enjoyed a spiritual connection with the land and appreciated nature in God’s own creation. The couple traveled the state organizing new chapters at San Angelo, Sweetwater, Colorado, Post, Snyder, Tahoka, O’Donnell, Lubbock, Lamesa, Roby, Hamlin, Rotan, Stamford, Floydada, Anson, Abilene, and Albany. They were also active in organizing a state park and game sanctuary for San Saba County, located near Bend, Texas, on the Colorado River. Although the Colorado Bend State Park would not come to fruition until 1987, Neal and his wife were active in its initial planning. 31
In December 1929, the Old Scout and the Bartlett Peach sold their home in San Saba and moved to Lubbock. They started a prosperous real estate business, as many of the large ranches on the West Texas plains were subdividing into farms. During this period, the corruption of Prohibition had become more rampant throughout the state. Governor Moody wanted conditions rectified as it had seriously undermined police authorities and the judiciary. On June 2, 1933, Neal once again enlisted with the Rangers. His efforts helped to bring about important changes in investigative procedures and the fee system. He was also responsible for investigating high ranking lawmen, which led to successful prosecution and sent them to the state penitentiary. “Never knew a man in his class for ferreting out evidence,” said the governor. 32
In January of 1933, when Ma Ferguson became governor, she fired nearly every Texas Ranger, including Neal, for backing her opponent Ross S. Sterling. The corruption was rampant. Although she and her husband were teetotalers, she aligned herself with the “wets” in the war on prohibition. There were accusations of bribes and kickbacks. During her two terms, she granted almost four thousand pardons; many were for those convicted of violating prohibition laws. Rumors circulated that pardons were available in exchange for cash payments to the governor’s husband. Fortunately, Neal had his real estate business to fall back on. 33