They say you can't choose your relatives. But do in-laws count? In particular what about brothers-in-law?
I'm sure if you had a choice with brother-in-law Clint Barkely you wouldn't choose him.
After murdering a man, Clint Barkley immediately bugged out of the area, and went to Lampasas, Texas to seek help from his brother-in-law, Merritt Horrell.
Merritt was one of five Horrell brothers who were operating a cattle ranch. The Horrell brothers weren’t exactly angels, but they did manage not to get crossways with the law. That is until brother-in-law Barkley arrived.
Shortly after Barkley arrived at the Horrell’s, Texas Ranger Captain Thomas Williams and three policemen arrived with a warrant for his arrest. Ever loyal to their relatives, the Horrell’s said they wouldn’t turn over their dear brother-in-law.
Then on March 19, 1873, Barkley and four of the Horrell brothers went to the Matador Saloon, and waited for the law to arrive. And arrive they did, right through the front door. The groups exchanged gunfire. Captain Williams and two of his men were killed. The third retreated, wounding two of the Horrell group in the process.
The two Horrell men were arrested. Now brother-in-law Barkley took action. On March 25, he and members of the Horrell faction raided the jail. With lead flying everywhere, Barkley took a sledge-hammer to the jail door. Although wounded, he kept pounding until the prisoners were rescued, and then he and the others rode out of town.
Barkley stuck with the Horrel brothers until they were all either killed or hanged by vigilantes. No longer having any brothers-in-law, Barkley left the area, and was never heard from again.
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