Seminole to bury him. Her telegraph simply stated, “My husband murdered at Seminole. Leaving tonight for San Antonio.” Lena Allison, immediately upon learn- ing of her husband’s death, made the agonizing trip to Seminole to accompany his body to Roswell, New Mexico, where he was buried.
News spreads to the members The Cattleman magazine had plenty to say to As-
sociation members about the murders. Details came to light at a hearing on April 11, when Ross and Good unsuccessfully sought to be released on bail. Those details were available in time for the May 1923 issue. Still reeling at the loss of 2 of their own, the Association relayed some details of that awful evening in Seminole. “The cold and calculating manner of the assassina-
tion of Horace Roberson and David Allison made men’s blood run cold that night there in the little Seminole hotel where friends had gathered for conversation after supper. Leave the question of deliberacy to one of the assassins himself. Under the questioning of counsel for State, the defendant, Tom Ross, on the witness stand in his own behalf seeking release on a writ of habeas corpus, admitted: ‘I aimed at his head, at his neck, at his heart and at his hip.’” In many ways, the murders strengthened the cause
of TSCRA. Members and non-members from all over the U.S. wrote letters to the Association. In June of 1923, The Cattleman published portions of those letters.
Ross and Good were found guilty of murder and given
punishments that amounted to life sentences.
Fear, outrage, sorrow, unconditional support and
an outpouring of love for Roberson and Allison were evident in their remarks. One wrote, “It looks like the thieves were trying to take us in, as they have gone to killing our ablest inspectors who had nerve enough to go after the big fellows who plan the drives. Such a cause as this will show the world where we stand.” Another wrote, “Mr. Roberson saved my life once and therefore I do not know how to explain how bad it hurts me.” Another, “I have known Dave Allison for more than thirty years, but more intimately during the time he
86 The Cattleman December 2016
A revolver used in the murder by Ross and Good on display at the Cattle Raisers Museum.
was sheriff of Midland County. There never was a better man than Dave.” Finally, a former member declared, “We sold our cattle in 1922, but since the Association has lost two of its best men we feel that it is our duty to pay our dues, cattle or no cattle.” In the wake of the murders, cattlemen in many states
made donations to the TSCRA totaling almost $2,000 for the widows of Allison and Roberson, a large sum in those days. And a few months after the murders, a formal resolution by the TSCRA was passed, granting the 2 widows $50 per month and honoring them as lifetime Association members.
The murder trials Just 2 months after the killings, Good and Ross
stood trial in Lubbock for the murder of Dave Allison. Venue was transferred from Seminole to Lubbock due to the large amount of publicity. The trial drew media from all over the country, as
well as sympathizers on both sides. The Cattleman credited the Lubbock County district judge and sheriff for preventing violent incidents. Approximately 50 sheriffs and deputy sheriffs from
Lubbock and the surrounding area, and a sergeant with the Texas Rangers, were present at all times, patrol- ling the courthouse and grounds. Anyone entering the courthouse was searched — not a daily occurrence in those days — ensuring an orderly trial. The defense of both Ross and Good was centered on
attacking TSCRA as well as the reputations of Allison and Roberson. It was reported that Ross and Good tes- tifi ed that they only fi red after the 2 lawmen reached for their guns; however, no witness could corroborate their defense. The trials were heavily attended by Association
members, Mrs. Roberson, Mrs. Allison, Mr. Allison’s daughter, Hazel, special rangers, lawmen, reporters, and cowmen from all over Texas.
thecattlemanmagazine.com
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