Helena, Texas facts for kids
Helena is a fascinating ghost town located in Texas. It's about 70 kilometers (or 43 miles) southeast of San Antonio. You can find it in Karnes County. From 1854 to 1894, Helena was the main town, or county seat, of Karnes County. In the mid-19th century, Helena was even known as the "toughest town on earth." The town got its name from Helen M. Owings, who was the second wife of Dr. Lewis S. Owings.
Discovering Helena's Past
Helena was once a busy place, but today it stands mostly empty. A ghost town is a place where most people have left, often because a major industry or transportation route moved away. Helena's story is quite unique, especially because of a strange tradition that once existed there.
The Helena Duel: A Strange Tradition
Helena was famous for something called the "Helena Duel." This was a very unusual and dangerous fight. In this duel, two opponents would have their left hands tied together. They used a piece of buckskin to do this. Each person was given a knife with a short, three-inch blade. This blade was too short to reach a vital organ quickly.
After being spun around a few times, the fighters would begin to slash at each other. The goal was to cause many cuts and stabs. The duel would continue until one person became too weak from their injuries to fight. Crowds of people would watch this intense spectacle. They would even place bets on who would win.
Why Helena Became a Ghost Town
Helena became a ghost town because of a powerful rancher named Colonel William G. Butler. He lived from 1831 to 1912. Colonel Butler was very angry at the town. He blamed Helena for the death of his son, Emmett Butler. Emmett was killed by a stray bullet during a saloon fight on December 26, 1884.
A few days after his son's death, Colonel Butler went to Helena. He brought a group of cowhands with him. He demanded to know who had shot his son. However, no one in the town was willing to tell him the truth. Colonel Butler became very upset. He reportedly shouted, "All right! For that I'll kill the town that killed my son!"
Colonel Butler was serious about his threat. He was a veteran of the American Civil War. He used his influence to make sure the tracks for the San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railway were built far away from Helena. The railway was built about 7 kilometers (or 4.3 miles) away. This meant that Helena would not get the benefits of the new train line.
Then, in 1894, there was a very competitive election. The people voted to move the county seat from Helena to Karnes City. This was the final blow for Helena. Without the railway and no longer being the county seat, Helena quickly lost its importance. The town soon became empty and died out, turning into the ghost town we know today.
