Brewster County 1924-1929, 1932-1937
Sheriff William N. “Newt” Gourley
William N. “Newt” Gourley was born November 22, 1871 in Kendall County, Texas and died in 1959.
The son of T.M. Gourley and the oldest of eight children, he grew up on a combination farm/ranch in Kimball County, Texas before moving to West Texas in 1888 where his uncle, W.D. “Doc” Gourley secured him a job in ranching. By
1900, Gourley began ranching his own outfit around Marathon and by 1920 he had acquired the Green Valley Ranch south of Alpine. He owned and raised Hereford cattle, applying and encouraging improvements to his own ranch and the area, eventually earning the area a national reputation for excellent Highland Hereford cattle, supplying a large demand in the midwest.
Gourley was a respected politician, elected and serving three terms as Brewster County Sheriff through the 1920’s. In 1929 he resigned as Sheriff to take care of business pressures, but then was again elected Sheriff from 1932 to 1937.
Ranchers, community members, and business owners respected Sheriff Gourley and relied on his experience and effectiveness for many years.
William N. “Newt” Gourley photo courtesy of Carl C. Williams collection