Special Deputy Henry B. Lawrence

Henry B. Lawrence

James Darwin, a young engineer for the San Benito Land and Water Company, was murdered by Jacinto Trevino. The company posted a $500 reward. Trevino's cousin, Pablo, informed authorities that Jacinto intended to return from Mexico and kill the company's chief engineer. Pablo led Texas Ranger Privates Q. B. Carnes and Pat Craighead, Cameron County Deputy Sheriffs Henry B. Lawrence and Earl West, and six company employees to a location near the Rio Grande River where Jacinto was supposed to cross. They split into four groups.

After midnight, they heard a group of men approaching. One of the officers hailed the group to stop. A fusillade erupted. Lawrence and Carnes were cut down as they arose from a crouch. Lawrence died instantly from seven buckshots in the right side of his head. Carnes was mortally wounded with seven rifle wounds, one bullet entering through the back of his head and exited his right eye. He lived until 9:00 a.m. Craighead and West came to their assistance. West was shot and wounded. Craighead then went to get the relief party. He fired a signal shot as arranged, but the relief party opened fire and wounded him. A posse found the body of Pablo Trevino after daylight. Jacinto Trevino was never arrested and disappeared into Mexico. Authorities believe Pablo led the officers into an ambush.

Lawrence was buried in the Fraternal Cemetery in Alice, Jim Wells County (then a part of Nueces County), in an unmarked grave next to his parents. He was 37 years old and single.

Ranger Private Quirl B. Carnes was buried in Floresville in Wilson County. His brother, U.S. Customs Inspector Herff Carnes, a former Texas Ranger, was shot in the line of duty on December 1, and died on December 4, 1932.