October 8, 1959
Two rifle shots rang out in the early evening dusk at Presidio last Friday night and Howard Eugene Dupuy, 76, owner of the international bridge connecting Presidio with Ojinaga, Mexico, slumped over in the seat of his late model automobile, dead.
Charged with the rifle slaying of the man who has made headlines recently as the central figure in a toll dispute, was Dr. Clyde Vaught, Commissioner of Precinct 3.
The slaying was the culmination of several weeks of bitter dispute between Presidio merchants and the bridge owner, who had steadfastly refused to lower the rate being charged Mexican Nationals to cross the connecting span.
District Attorney Lucius Bunton stated this week that the 83rd Judicial District grand jury will get the case when it convenes at 10 a.m. July 16.
According to Dr. Vaught, who related the incident to a Sentinel correspondent, the shooting occurred as follows:
Dr. Vaught had left home to visit the home of a patient. As he got out of his car another automobile drove up behind his parked vehicle and when Vaught turned around, he saw it was Dupuy.
He stated that the victim was shouting something at him. “I couldn’t tell what he was saying, but he was doing some cursing,” he added.
Vaught stated that he did see Dupuy’s hands, and he added, “I wasn’t taking any chances, I reached into the front seat and pulled out that old 44-40 of mine and aimed it at him and fired. The first shot hit him and the second landed in the car.”
Vaught added, “I couldn’t take a chance that he had a gun because, you know, he threatened me before.”
One shot entered Dupuy’s left jaw and severed his jugular vein. He died a few seconds later, apparently from loss of blood.
Cause of the shooting was laid directly to the friction which had been built up in Presidio since July 16, when bridge tolls were raised for Mexican Nationals. Presidio merchants had tried desperately, on several occasions, to come to some compromise with the bridge owner, but to no avail.
It was reported that the wealthy El Paso realtor was advised of this situation and arrived in Presidio Thursday.
In describing the shooting Dr. Vaught stated, “You know, that fellow had been walking around town for a couple of days wearing that long black coat and the temperature in the high 90s.”
Witnesses who saw events prior to the fatal shooting stated that Dupuy and a Presidio farmer, close friends, were sitting on the porch of the old Starr Hotel, owned by Dupuy, when Dr. Vaught drove past on his way to visit a patient. Witnesses stated that the friend nudged Dupuy and pointed to Vaught’s car. The witnesses told a Sentinel correspondent that Dupuy immediately got into his vehicle and followed the Presidio County commissioner.
Mixed emotions greeted news of the slaying. Most residents of Presidio were concerned with the outcome of the bridge dispute.
Vaught was arranged before Justice of the Peace J.H. Cass late Friday evening, which was investigated by Tommy McCall, deputy sheriff, and Presidio County Sheriff Earnest Barnett.
Bond was set at $5,000 which Dr. Vaught promptly put up.
