Gus Krempkau
Encyclopedia
Gustav Krempkau was an El Paso County Constable
in the late 19th century in El Paso, Texas
, during the climax of the "Wild West" era. He died in the Four Dead in Five Seconds Gunfight
, which was overshadowed by the events of a few months later at the O.K. Corral. Little is known of his early life, but he is believed to have been about 25 years old when he was killed.
received its sixth town marshal
l in 8 months, a gunfight took place which would be called the "Four Dead in Five Seconds Gunfight". This gunfight was well publicized in newspapers in cities as far away as San Francisco and New York
. The events leading to the gunfight began a mile south, at the Rio Grande
which divided the U.S. and Mexico. Roughly 75 heavily-armed Mexican cowboys rode into El Paso. The Mexicans were on a quest for two missing young Mexican cowboys, Sanchez and Juarique, plus 30 missing cattle that were stolen from their ranch
in Mexico. The missing cattle belonged to a wealthy Mexican rancher who hired the armed posse
to locate them. El Paso County Constable Gus Krempkau accompanied the Mexican cowboys in locating the two young youths. Their bodies were discovered at the ranch of Johnny Hale
, a rancher and cattle rustler, in the Upper Valley about 13 miles northwest of El Paso.
The two bodies were recovered and brought back to town. Records indicated that these young Mexican cowboys were in that vicinity in an attempt to locate the stolen cattle. It was not clear who had killed them, but it was likely that Hale and his men had rustled the cattle in question, then killed the young Mexican cowboys when they trailed the herd to Hale's ranch.
A large crowd gathered in El Paso, including John Hale and his friend, former town Marshal George Campbell
. There was animosity among Americans about the Mexicans being heavily armed within the city limit, but at the same time tensions were high among the Mexicans, who wanted justice for their two young men who had been killed. Constable Krempkau was fluent in Spanish
and was inquired to interpret for the judge
. An inquest was held in court. The court was adjourned and the crowd dispersed. The Mexicans, bringing the two bodies, quietly rode back to Mexico.
Constable Krempkau went to a saloon next door to retrieve his rifle and pistol. A confrontation erupted with ex-City Marshal George Campbell
over comments allegedly made by Campbell about Krempkau’s interpretations and his friendship with the Mexicans. John Hale, who was allegedly unarmed, was heavily intoxicated and upset with Constable Krempkau’s involvement in the investigation. Hale pulled one of Campbell's two pistols and yelled, "George, I've got you covered!". He shot Krempkau, who then reeled backward. Slumping against a saloon door, Krempkau pulled out his own pistol.
At this moment, the new town Marshal, known gunman Dallas Stoudenmire
, who was eating dinner at the "Globe Restaurant" across the street, ran out onto the street and pulled out his pistols. While running, Stoudenmire fired once, but the shot went wild and hit an innocent Mexican bystander who tried to run from the erupting incident. When John Hale peeked out from behind the pillar, Stoudenmire fired again, hitting Hale between his eyes, killing him instantly.
When Campbell saw Hale go down, he exited from cover with his pistol drawn yelling that it wasn't his fight. Constable Krempkau, still conscious and thinking Campbell had shot him, quickly fired his pistol at Campbell before losing consciousness. The first bullet struck Campbell's gun and broke Campbell's right wrist, his second shot hit him in the foot. Campbell screamed and scooped his gun with his left hand, Stoudenmire whirled and rapidly fired. Campbell dropped his gun, grabbed his stomach and toppled to the floor. Both Campbell and Constable Krempkau died shortly thereafter.
Texas Constable
The Texas constable is enshrined in the Texas Constitution of 1876 , which provides for the election of a constable in each precinct of a county, and counties may have between one and eight precincts each depending on their population. The term of office for Texas constables is four years...
in the late 19th century in El Paso, Texas
El Paso, Texas
El Paso, is a city in and the county seat of El Paso County, Texas, United States, and lies in far West Texas. In the 2010 census, the city had a population of 649,121. It is the sixth largest city in Texas and the 19th largest city in the United States...
, during the climax of the "Wild West" era. He died in the Four Dead in Five Seconds Gunfight
Four Dead in Five Seconds Gunfight
The Four Dead in Five Seconds Gunfight was a famous gun fight that occurred on April 14, 1881 on El Paso Street, El Paso, Texas. Witnesses generally agreed that the incident lasted no more than five seconds after the first gunshot, though a few would insist it was at least ten seconds...
, which was overshadowed by the events of a few months later at the O.K. Corral. Little is known of his early life, but he is believed to have been about 25 years old when he was killed.
The gunfight
On Thursday, April 14, 1881, only three days after El PasoEl Paso
El Paso, a city in the U.S. state of Texas, on the border with Mexico.El Paso may also refer to:-Geography:Colombia:* El Paso, CesarSpain:*El Paso, Santa Cruz de TenerifeUnited States:...
received its sixth town marshal
Marshal
Marshal , is a word used in several official titles of various branches of society. The word is an ancient loan word from Old French, cf...
l in 8 months, a gunfight took place which would be called the "Four Dead in Five Seconds Gunfight". This gunfight was well publicized in newspapers in cities as far away as San Francisco and New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. The events leading to the gunfight began a mile south, at the Rio Grande
Rio Grande
The Rio Grande is a river that flows from southwestern Colorado in the United States to the Gulf of Mexico. Along the way it forms part of the Mexico – United States border. Its length varies as its course changes...
which divided the U.S. and Mexico. Roughly 75 heavily-armed Mexican cowboys rode into El Paso. The Mexicans were on a quest for two missing young Mexican cowboys, Sanchez and Juarique, plus 30 missing cattle that were stolen from their ranch
Ranch
A ranch is an area of landscape, including various structures, given primarily to the practice of ranching, the practice of raising grazing livestock such as cattle or sheep for meat or wool. The word most often applies to livestock-raising operations in the western United States and Canada, though...
in Mexico. The missing cattle belonged to a wealthy Mexican rancher who hired the armed posse
Posse comitatus (common law)
Posse comitatus or sheriff's posse is the common-law or statute law authority of a county sheriff or other law officer to conscript any able-bodied males to assist him in keeping the peace or to pursue and arrest a felon, similar to the concept of the "hue and cry"...
to locate them. El Paso County Constable Gus Krempkau accompanied the Mexican cowboys in locating the two young youths. Their bodies were discovered at the ranch of Johnny Hale
Johnny Hale
Johnny Hale , aka John Hale, was a Texas rancher and cattle rustler.Hale was responsible for igniting the bloodiest gunfight in El Paso, Texas which is known as the Four Dead in Five Seconds Gunfight. This resulted in the death of El Paso Constable Gus Krempkau...
, a rancher and cattle rustler, in the Upper Valley about 13 miles northwest of El Paso.
The two bodies were recovered and brought back to town. Records indicated that these young Mexican cowboys were in that vicinity in an attempt to locate the stolen cattle. It was not clear who had killed them, but it was likely that Hale and his men had rustled the cattle in question, then killed the young Mexican cowboys when they trailed the herd to Hale's ranch.
A large crowd gathered in El Paso, including John Hale and his friend, former town Marshal George Campbell
George Campbell (Ex-Town Marshal for El Paso, TX)
George Campbell was a one time town Marshal for El Paso, Texas, having served from mid-1880 until April 1881, when he was replaced by a new town Marshal Dallas Stoudenmire...
. There was animosity among Americans about the Mexicans being heavily armed within the city limit, but at the same time tensions were high among the Mexicans, who wanted justice for their two young men who had been killed. Constable Krempkau was fluent in Spanish
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
and was inquired to interpret for the judge
Judge
A judge is a person who presides over court proceedings, either alone or as part of a panel of judges. The powers, functions, method of appointment, discipline, and training of judges vary widely across different jurisdictions. The judge is supposed to conduct the trial impartially and in an open...
. An inquest was held in court. The court was adjourned and the crowd dispersed. The Mexicans, bringing the two bodies, quietly rode back to Mexico.
Constable Krempkau went to a saloon next door to retrieve his rifle and pistol. A confrontation erupted with ex-City Marshal George Campbell
George Campbell (Ex-Town Marshal for El Paso, TX)
George Campbell was a one time town Marshal for El Paso, Texas, having served from mid-1880 until April 1881, when he was replaced by a new town Marshal Dallas Stoudenmire...
over comments allegedly made by Campbell about Krempkau’s interpretations and his friendship with the Mexicans. John Hale, who was allegedly unarmed, was heavily intoxicated and upset with Constable Krempkau’s involvement in the investigation. Hale pulled one of Campbell's two pistols and yelled, "George, I've got you covered!". He shot Krempkau, who then reeled backward. Slumping against a saloon door, Krempkau pulled out his own pistol.
At this moment, the new town Marshal, known gunman Dallas Stoudenmire
Dallas Stoudenmire
Dallas Stoudenmire was an American Old West gunman and lawman, who gained fame for a brief gunfight that was later dubbed the "Four Dead in Five Seconds Gunfight". Although lesser known than many others from the Old West called gunfighters, his name is becoming more prominent...
, who was eating dinner at the "Globe Restaurant" across the street, ran out onto the street and pulled out his pistols. While running, Stoudenmire fired once, but the shot went wild and hit an innocent Mexican bystander who tried to run from the erupting incident. When John Hale peeked out from behind the pillar, Stoudenmire fired again, hitting Hale between his eyes, killing him instantly.
When Campbell saw Hale go down, he exited from cover with his pistol drawn yelling that it wasn't his fight. Constable Krempkau, still conscious and thinking Campbell had shot him, quickly fired his pistol at Campbell before losing consciousness. The first bullet struck Campbell's gun and broke Campbell's right wrist, his second shot hit him in the foot. Campbell screamed and scooped his gun with his left hand, Stoudenmire whirled and rapidly fired. Campbell dropped his gun, grabbed his stomach and toppled to the floor. Both Campbell and Constable Krempkau died shortly thereafter.
See also
- ODMP Memorial for Constable Krempkau
- Four Dead in Five Seconds GunfightFour Dead in Five Seconds GunfightThe Four Dead in Five Seconds Gunfight was a famous gun fight that occurred on April 14, 1881 on El Paso Street, El Paso, Texas. Witnesses generally agreed that the incident lasted no more than five seconds after the first gunshot, though a few would insist it was at least ten seconds...
- Dallas StoudenmireDallas StoudenmireDallas Stoudenmire was an American Old West gunman and lawman, who gained fame for a brief gunfight that was later dubbed the "Four Dead in Five Seconds Gunfight". Although lesser known than many others from the Old West called gunfighters, his name is becoming more prominent...