Some believe the steer still roams the Glass Mountains of Brewster County--claiming the specter of a calf with MURDER branded in it's side can often been seen at various sties where violence and murder occurred.

Seeking answers and information related to the murder of Henry Harrison Powe and the steer over which the shooting came about leads one to these research sources: The Taming of the Big Bend by Mrs. O. L. Shipman; The Romance of the Davis Mountains by Carylsle G. Raht; The Steer Branded Murder by Barry Scobee; Mirages, Mysteries and Reality-Brewster County, Texas by Clifford Casey; "The Lone Red Murder Yearling of West Texas" by Jack Shipman-February and March issue of Voice of the Mexican Border, The Big Bend Country of Texas by Virginia Madison.

This story begins with establishing the time frame and the environment of the Big Bend area in the 1890's. The Indians had been subdued and driven from the area, allowing a rapid influx of ranchers and sometimes "rough characters". It was common during this era for disputes of all sorts to be settled by the "six shooters". The land was vast and the law officers few.

The cattle industry which played such an important role in the history of Brewster County in later years was in it's beginning stages. The ranges were open--no fencing and the round-up of livestock was a cooperative effort by many ranchers. Once the herds were behind fences, cattle was identified and separated into specific groups for branding or selling.

This story takes shape in the Glass Mountains of northeast Brewster County in January of 1890. Henry Harrison Powe and other ranchers organized a round- up calves for branding which were missed in the fall round-up. Powe owned a small herd which he ran near Leoncita. During these roundups, the larger ranchers would send representatives to be sure their calves were not branded by others.

Present at this event was R. M. Powe, young son of Henry Harrison Powe and it is his version which is most respected for authenticity. It is said the gathered herd numbered several thousand and was quite a task to separate.

During this process Henry Harrison Powe selected and separated a brindle yearling he believed to be his to brand. Finus Gilland who was present to protect the interest of his employers ,Dubois and Wentworth Ranches , took issue with the action, saying it belonged to his employers. For some time, these men moved the calf back and forth into different groups, their anger growing stronger. Finally, Powe, who was unarmed, went to a nearby cowboy’s horse and removed a gun from the saddlebag.

He fired a shot at Gilland and missed him as it was difficult for the one-armed man to control the horse and gun at the same time. More shots were exchanged by both men and the result was that Powe was shot to death. Gilland mounted his horse and left quickly.

The younger Powe rode to Alpine to report the shooting to Sheriff James b. Gillett. A search party was formed and began looking for Gilland who had disappeared. Therefore, the murder and description of the man committing it were sent to all law enforcement people in the area. It was not long after notices were sent that simply by chance Gilland encountered Rangers Thalis T. Cook and James Putman in the Glass Mountains. Gilland was killed in the gun battle which took place and Ranger Cook was injured.

It is at this point in the story, were legend and fact get mixed....and legend takes over. The calf which was the object of the disagreement and resulting murder of Powe was not wanted by anyone. While the other calves at the roundup were branded according to ownership, neither HHP(Powe's brand) or Diamond Tail(Dubois & Wentworh's brand) was placed on him. Instead, it is said, MURDER and the date were branded on the calf and it was set free to roam the range.

Some say...the yearling still roams Big Bend looking for the murderer.
Some say that as the steer grew, so did the word MURDER so that it could be seen from a great distance.
Some even say the steer turned white--or at least the word MURDER did.
Some say this specter appears and disappears at bunk houses, in lonely spots, at bars or saloons.
Some say the calf was sent out of the country.
Some say the Sheriff shot the steer to prevent further hard feelings or further killings over it.

Conclusion--the reader gets the final SAY on what to believe.

This and many other legends add to the mystic and beauty of Brewster County.