Milam County Historical Commission
Milam County, Texas
Milam County, Texas
Pct. 1 Constable Charles Sens
Date of Birth: May 3, 1869
End of Watch: December 23, 1929, Cameron, Texas
Burial: Oak Hill Cemetery, Cameron, Texas
Served as Milam County Constable Pct. 1
"Gun Battle Follows Assault on Auto Firm by Farmer at Cameron"
"Crazed Texan Shot to Death as Two Killed"
Houston Post-Dispatch, Tues., 24 Dec 1929, p. 1, c. 8 & p. 2, c. 1
Cameron, Dec. 24 - (Sp) - Wreaking vengeance for a two-year imaginary grievance, Anton
Huebner, 21, farmer, ran amuck Monday morning, killing two men before he himself was
slain in a 20-minute gun battle staged at an automobile plant on Main street.
The dead are Hubert Hefley, 51, automobile dealer; Constable Charles Sens and Huebner.
Late Christmas shoppers who lined the street at 11:45 a.m. Monday scurried to cover when
Huebner, believed to have been demented, stood opposite the entrance of the plant and
opened fire upon everyone in his sight. He stood in the middle of the street, a rifle to
his shoulder, firing a barrage until the weapon was emptied, then stooped, reloaded the
rifle, and advanced upon the auto company, keeping up a steady stream of shots while he
entered the garage. The insane farmer marched first into the sales room. He spied Hefley
crouching behind a table. Taking stead aim, he fired again, killing the dealer instantly.
His eyes bloodshot from apparent rage, Huebner gazed wildly about. He spotted 8 or 10
employees of the company who had taken refuge behind cars in the storage rooms. Shaking
his head and bellowing threats of "I'm going to get you." the young farmer directed his
fire upon every person he could see peering from behind sheltering vehicles.
At this point, the constabulary forces of the city, hearing the sharp fusillade, were
hastily organized under direction of Sheriff L. L. Blaylock. The officers and deputies,
making Christmas purchases at nearby stores or sauntering along Main street, flocked into
the sheriff's office and prepared hasty plans of battle maneuvers to bring down the
killer. The posse armed to the teeth, separated and slipped into near doors of the
garage.
The farmer still was taking "pot shots" at his intended victims, none of whom were armed,
when they peeked from behind cars. He darted in and out among the machines, apparently
seeking a clear sight of his "enemies." Constable Sens took a firm stand and opened fire
upon Huebner who returned the host. Mr. Sens fell to his knees, crumpled to the floor as
a lead slug from the weapon of the farmer found a vital spot. Mr. Sens mortally wounded,
lived only a few minutes.
With his deadly weapon, Huebner replied to the fire coming from Sheriff Blaylock's
pistol. The sheriff was hit, a bullet grazing his right knee. Blaylock was handicapped in
his shooting because the farmer was shielding himself behind a car, witnesses to the
melee recalled.
Supposedly satisfied with the havoc he had wrought and his long venue were spawned,
Huebner began moving forward to the front of the garage. When the supply of shells in his
rifle were exhausted, he would stop, grab an additional supply from his pocket and refill
the empty machine. Reaching the front door, the crazed farmer threw his last defy at
authority, placing three shots into the Texas Power and Light company building across the
street and shattering windows.
Eugene Smith, proprietor of a café about two blocks away, had armed himself with a pistol
and rushed to the "battlefield." He saw Huebner pass warily on the sidewalk. The café man
took steady aim, fired. The farmer dropped to his feet dead. The bullet entered the left
shoulder, ranging downward toward the heart. Citizens here Monday afternoon recalled how
two years ago, Huebner had a personal difficulty with an automobile salesman in an
argument involving the purchase of a car. During the altercation, Huebner was struck over
the head, his skull fractured. He instituted a damage suit in court. The case resulted in
a mistrial. Later Huebner was awarded a small sum in a compromise settlement out of
court, it was said by Sheriff Blaylock. It is presumed that Huebner's ire against the
company prayed upon his mind, causing him to seek vengeance for what the thought was
unfair treatment.
Mr. Huebner, unmarried, lived with his father upon a farm several miles from town. The
elder Huebner is one of the pioneer settlers of this community. Mr. Sens is survived by
his wife and son, Lee Sens, former Texas University athlete. Mr. Hefley is survived by
his wife. Funeral arrangements for the three men will be announced.
Constable Sens' name is inscribed on the National Peace Officer's Memorial in Washington
DC and on the Texas Peace Officer's Memorial in Austin, Texas
.
Pct. 1 Constable Charles Sens
Milam County Lawmen Killed in the Line of Duty
By Greg J Kouba
All credit for this article goes to Greg Kouba
By Greg J Kouba
All credit for this article goes to Greg Kouba
