Merritt Horrell - Feud Begins

Feud Begins

For more details on this topic, see List of feuds in the United States#Horrell-Higgins.

By early February, 1874, the brothers had returned to Lampasas, but found they were no longer welcome, and no longer viewed as simply fun-loving cowboys, but instead as outlaws. The brothers were arrested for the murders of the lawmen in Lampasas, but due to a local jury hearing the case, they were acquitted. Shortly after their acquittal, John “Pink” Higgins accused the Horrell brothers of cattle rustling. The brothers were arrested, but again due mostly to a local jury hearing the case, they were acquitted. Although things were tense between the two families, no actions were taken by either side until January 22, 1877. On that day, while in the Wiley and Toland's Gem Saloon in Lampasas, John Higgins shot and killed Merritt Horrell in a gunfight.

The three remaining Horrell brothers vowed they would take revenge against John Higgins, his brother in law Bob Mitchell, and friend Bill Wren, voicing this publicly on several occasions. On March 26, 1877, Tom and Mart Horrell were shot and wounded during an ambush, but both survived. John Higgins and Bob Mitchell were being sought for the Merritt Horrell gunfight, and both surrendered shortly after the ambush to Texas Ranger Captain John Sparks, best known for his earlier 1876 capture of gunman Billy Thompson. Both men posted a $10,000 bond and were released. The local courthouse was burglarized shortly thereafter, with several records stolen including their bonds. The shooting of Merritt Horrell was later ruled self defense, and the charges dropped.