Part 8
The Tragic End of Will Robertson
In 1933, the town of San Saba counted 2,240 residents, forming the heart of a county with nearly eleven thousand people. It was against this backdrop, in a period marked by economic distress and uncertainty, that in the early hours of August 6, 1933, San Saba became the scene of a chilling mystery. William L. Robertson, a local resident and farmer of the Sloan Community, World War I veteran, and member of the American Legion Post No. 27, was found dying on the sidewalk on the east side of the San Saba National Bank. The upper floor of this building served as the American Legion's club room, a space often used for community gatherings and social events, including the dance held just the night before. 37
Robertson was discovered unconscious, his injuries severe—a crushed skull at the base of the brain and lacerations to his forehead. The circumstances were immediately suspicious: initial speculation suggested he might have fallen from the window above, possibly while intoxicated or seeking rest, but the nature of his wounds and the setting raised questions of foul play. Despite being rushed to a hospital in Temple, Robertson never regained consciousness and passed away two days later, leaving the community awash in rumors and uncertainties. 38
As a result, San Saba’s sense of community and the role of the American Legion came into sharper focus. The Legion’s club room, the dance, veterans and townspeople all figured into the unfolding investigation and the speculation that surrounded Robertson’s tragic death. There were unanswered questions and intrigue, which would soon command the full attention of authorities and residents alike. 39