Posseman George W. Swank

George W. Swank

Posseman George Swank was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a gang of bandits terrorizing the area.

The sheriff deputized a group of men to arrest a group of bandits who were raiding cattle, robbing ranches, stealing horses, taking citizens hostage, setting fires, and terrorizing Nueces County. Posseman Swank and three other posse members found the group camping in a brush. As they approached, a gunfight ensued and Posseman Swank was shot and killed.

All the bandits fled except for one. He was captured, taken into Nuecestown (current day Corpus Christie), and hung.

Posseman Swank was a Civil War Union Soldier and had served one day with the Nueces County Sheriff's Office. He was survived by his parents and siblings.

He is buried at Old Bayview Cemetary in Corpus Christie, Texas.