Ch3 Cedar Choppers Ep4 Bootleggin' Brothers

Our Westlake

Emmett Shelton (1905-2000) tells of the life of two early Westlake brothers who lived on Bee Cave Road, H.B. "Rush" Riley and John T. Riley. They were both hard-working cedar choppers. Rush was known by the authorities for bootlegging and selling it on Lake Austin Blvd in Austin. One officer told Rush he was not smart enough to bootleg. "I arrested Rush for selling liquor in the morning, he got out on bond, and I rearrested him again, later that afternoon."
John T. was also a bootlegger but in the 1920s but he was charged with pandering (pimping) and went to the Texas penitentiary for 15 years.
About 10 years later, Emmett had an 'in' with Governor Ma Ferguson. Also, the government had awarded WWI Veterans $2500 "The Bonus" and John was entitled. Rush asked Emmett to work with Governor Ferguson to get John T. a pardon and help him apply for "The Bonus". But John wasn't so sure he wanted out.
Great story with a happy ending. These brothers lived out a good life together and they both helped build Westlake.
Music: John, He Liked to Drink and Chew by Emmett's son, Polk Shelton.
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Stories told by Emmett Shelton / compiled and submitted by Cynthia Shelton.