Rusk in Cherokee County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Sheriff Bill Brunt Murder Site
Photographed By Jeff Leichsenring, July 12, 2022
1. Sheriff Bill Brunt Murder Site Marker
Inscription.
Sheriff Bill Brunt Murder Site. . Bill Brunt (1910-1939) was born near Alto on his family’s farm off Sand Flat Road in Cherokee County. After graduating high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. Upon honorable discharge, Brunt was hired by Southern Pacific as a railroad detective in Houston. Soon after, however, due to his reputation as an honest, hardworking, and trustworthy citizen, he accepted an offer by concerned townspeople in Alto to fill the post of City Marshal. The area had become host to illicit alcohol sales, gambling, and other vices. After successfully curbing many problems of the town, he ran for Sheriff in 1936 and won the election at the age of 26. , One infamous local bootlegger, Isaiah “Red” Creel, had eluded Sheriff Brunt on multiple occasions. Although Creel had been arrested several times, no charges ever stuck. Brunt received a tip just after midnight on August 3, 1939, that Creel was headed from Kilgore with a load of alcohol. In the pursuit that followed, Creel’s car blew a tire, forcing him to abandon the chase near this site. As Brunt approached Creel’s Chevrolet Coupe, Creel fired a .45 caliber revolver, striking the Sheriff. Both men fired several times, mortally wounding each other and reportedly falling dead on either side of the road’s center line. An estimated 10,000 people attended Brunt’s funeral. , His 26-year-old widow, Mary Dear Brunt, was appointed Sheriff in her late husband’s place and served until 1940. She chose not to run for election, but Bill’s brother, Frank Brunt, was elected and served as County Sheriff until 1954.
Bill Brunt (1910-1939) was born near Alto on his family’s farm off Sand Flat Road in Cherokee County. After graduating high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. Upon honorable discharge, Brunt was hired by Southern Pacific as a railroad detective in Houston. Soon after, however, due to his reputation as an honest, hardworking, and trustworthy citizen, he accepted an offer by concerned townspeople in Alto to fill the post of City Marshal. The area had become host to illicit alcohol sales, gambling, and other vices. After successfully curbing many problems of the town, he ran for Sheriff in 1936 and won the election at the age of 26.
One infamous local bootlegger, Isaiah “Red” Creel, had eluded Sheriff Brunt on multiple occasions. Although Creel had been arrested several times, no charges ever stuck. Brunt received a tip just after midnight on August 3, 1939, that Creel was headed from Kilgore with a load of alcohol. In the pursuit that followed, Creel’s car blew a tire, forcing him to abandon the chase near this site. As Brunt approached Creel’s Chevrolet Coupe, Creel fired a .45 caliber revolver, striking the Sheriff. Both men fired several times, mortally wounding each other and reportedly falling dead on either side of the road’s center line. An estimated 10,000 people attended Brunt’s funeral.
His 26-year-old widow,
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Mary Dear Brunt, was appointed Sheriff in her late husband’s place and served until 1940. She chose not to run for election, but Bill’s brother, Frank Brunt, was elected and served as County Sheriff until 1954.
Erected 2016 by Texas Histroical Commission. (Marker Number 18449.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Law Enforcement.
Location. 31° 51.2′ N, 95° 11.502′ W. Marker is in Rusk, Texas, in Cherokee County. Marker is on State Highway 69, on the right when traveling south. US Hwy 69, five miles north of Rusk. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Rusk TX 75785, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 22, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 13, 2022, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. This page has been viewed 219 times since then and 33 times this year. Photo1. submitted on November 13, 2022, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.