Emmanuel “Mannen” Clements, Sr. – A Bad Texas Hombre
Emmanuel "Mannen" Clements, Sr., a name that echoes through the annals of Texas history, conjures images of a rugged, untamed frontier. He wasn’t just a man; he was a figure emblematic of the turbulent era he inhabited – a rancher, an outlaw, and a gunfighter whose life was interwoven with the threads of violence and lawlessness that characterized the late 19th-century American West. As the patriarch of the infamous Clements family, he cast a long shadow over McCulloch County, Texas, leaving behind a legacy that continues to fascinate and intrigue. The story of Emmanuel “Mannen” Clements, Sr., is a stark reminder of the complex and often brutal realities of life on the frontier.
The foundation of the Clements family’s notoriety was laid in Gonzales County, Texas, south of Smiley, where Mannen and his brothers, John Gibson “Gip,” James, and Joseph, were raised on a cattle ranch. The hardscrabble existence of ranching life instilled in them a resilience and self-reliance that would later define their actions. This upbringing shaped Emmanuel “Mannen” Clements, Sr. into the man he would become. Their lives took a dramatic turn in 1871 when their cousin, the notorious John Wesley Hardin, paid them a visit. Hardin, already a legend in his own right, joined Mannen and James Clements on a cattle drive north to Kansas, an event that would forever alter the course of their lives.
The journey to Kansas was far from uneventful. As the herd crossed the Red River into Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma), a dispute arose between Mannen Clements and two brothers, Adolph and Joseph Shadden. The disagreement, fueled by the tensions of the trail and a clash of personalities, escalated quickly, culminating in Mannen Clements killing both brothers. This act of violence, a cold and decisive assertion of authority, marked a turning point in Mannen’s life, solidifying his reputation as a man not to be trifled with.
Following the incident, Mannen was apprehended and jailed in Kansas by none other than Wild Bill Hickok, the legendary lawman of the West. However, fate intervened in the form of John Wesley Hardin, who, having forged a friendship with Hickok, successfully pleaded for Mannen’s release. This unlikely alliance between outlaw cousins and a renowned lawman speaks to the blurred lines of morality and justice that often existed on the frontier. The early life of Emmanuel “Mannen” Clements, Sr., was already filled with violence and brushes with the law.
Mannen’s association with John Wesley Hardin continued to shape his destiny. In October 1872, Mannen demonstrated his unwavering loyalty to his cousin by orchestrating Hardin’s escape from a jail in Gonzales County, Texas. With cunning and resourcefulness, Mannen managed to slip Hardin a file, enabling him to weaken the bars of his cell. Then, with a lariat, Mannen pulled Hardin through the jagged opening, securing his freedom. This daring act cemented Mannen’s reputation as a loyal ally and a formidable opponent of the law.
The years that followed saw Mannen and his brothers – Joe, Jim, and Gip – embroiled in the infamous Taylor-Sutton Feud, a bloody and protracted conflict that gripped Texas for years. The feud, a complex web of personal vendettas, political rivalries, and land disputes, pitted the Taylor and Sutton families against each other in a relentless cycle of violence. The Clements family, through their kinship with John Wesley Hardin, found themselves aligned with the Taylor faction, further entrenching them in the lawless underbelly of Texas society. During this time, Emmanuel “Mannen” Clements, Sr., participated in many violent altercations.
In 1877, Mannen’s life took another turn when he found himself incarcerated in a jail in Austin, Texas. His fellow inmates included John Wesley Hardin, Bill Taylor, Johnny Ringo, and members of the notorious Sam Bass gang – a veritable who’s who of the Old West’s most infamous outlaws. This gathering of notorious figures under one roof paints a vivid picture of the lawlessness and chaos that plagued Texas during this era. Even behind bars, the influence of Emmanuel “Mannen” Clements, Sr., was palpable.
Despite his own troubles, Mannen remained a loyal friend to John Wesley Hardin. After Hardin was convicted and sentenced to prison, Mannen was one of the few people who consistently visited him during his incarceration. He also provided support to Hardin’s wife, Jane, and their children, demonstrating a sense of responsibility and compassion that belied his reputation as a ruthless outlaw. This act of kindness reveals a more complex and nuanced side to Mannen Clements, challenging the simplistic portrayal of him as merely a "bad Texas hombre."
By 1880, Mannen Clements had amassed a considerable fortune, accumulating vast herds of horses and cattle on his ranch in McCulloch County. However, his wealth was tainted by suspicions of cattle rustling, a common practice in the Wild West that often blurred the lines between legitimate business and outright theft. This period marked a shift in Mannen’s activities, as he transitioned from a participant in open conflict to a more behind-the-scenes operator, potentially involved in illicit activities that contributed to his growing wealth.
Two years later, Mannen made a fateful decision that would have far-reaching consequences: he hired the notorious killer Jim Miller, also known as "Killin’ Jim," to work on his ranch. Miller, a cold-blooded assassin with a reputation for ruthless efficiency, was a dangerous addition to the Clements’ circle. While working on the ranch, Miller formed close bonds with Mannen’s son, Emmanuel "Mannie" Clements, Jr., and his daughter, Sallie. This association would later prove to be disastrous, as Miller and Mannie Clements became embroiled in the bloody Frazer-Miller Feud in Pecos, Texas.
Despite his questionable past and his association with notorious figures, Mannen Clements attempted to legitimize his position in society by running for sheriff of the newly formed Runnels County in early 1877. In a fiercely contested campaign, Mannen sought to convince the voters that he was the right man to uphold law and order in the burgeoning county. However, his past caught up with him, and he ultimately lost the election, a testament to the enduring skepticism and distrust that his reputation had engendered.
The end of Mannen Clements’ life was as violent and dramatic as the life he had led. On March 29, 1887, he was shot and killed in the Senate Saloon in Ballinger by City Marshal Joseph Townsend. The circumstances surrounding the shooting remain shrouded in mystery, but it is widely believed that the two men had a long-standing animosity stemming from their differing views on law enforcement and justice. Townsend’s act of violence brought an end to the reign of Emmanuel “Mannen” Clements, Sr.
The aftermath of Mannen’s death was equally fraught with violence. Not long after the shooting, Townsend was ambushed while riding home one night, swept from his saddle by a shotgun blast fired from the darkness. The identity of the ambusher was never definitively established, but suspicion immediately fell on Jim Miller, who was known for his loyalty to the Clements family and his willingness to resort to violence. Although Townsend survived the attack, he lost an arm, a permanent reminder of the brutal consequences of crossing the Clements family. The legacy of Emmanuel “Mannen” Clements, Sr., continued to haunt the Texas frontier.