The 1907 shootout between the Wofford brothers and the Milam family remains the most infamous event in Winnsboro’s history, marking the violent end of the city's "notorious" saloon era.

 

The Setting: "The Bowery"

In the early 1900s, Winnsboro was a rough town overrun with vice, gambling, and at least 18 saloons. Much of this activity was centered on Market Street, then known as "The Bowery". By early 1907, the streets were often a "sea of mud," and the atmosphere was tense as law enforcement attempted to "clean up" the town.

The Key Players

Character

Role / Description

Fate

Amos R. Wofford

City Marshal and Wood County Deputy Sheriff; age 35.

Died the day after the shootout.

John Wofford

Deputy Constable and City Marshal; age 33.

Died the day after the shootout.

R.O. "Dick" Milam

Owner of the Milam Saloon; age ~45.

Died 5 minutes after the shootout.

W.A. "Bud" Milam

Dick’s son and a Dallas fireman; age 24.

Died 9 days after the shootout.

 

 

The Conflict and Shootout

The Wofford brothers were hired specifically to shut down illegal operations, leading to "bad blood" with local saloon keepers like Dick Milam. On Saturday, February 2, 1907 (though some accounts cite February 3), the tension boiled over.

• The Prelude: Around 5:30 p.m., as country folks were finishing their Saturday shopping, the Milams emerged from their saloon on Elm Street and confronted the Woffords in front of a barber shop.

• The Spark: Words were exchanged regarding the Woffords' threats to close the saloons. One account states Bud Milam struck Amos Wofford with a loaded cane and shot the saddle horn off Amos's horse.

• The Gunfight: As the Milams and Woffords drew their revolvers, the street erupted in gunfire. Spectators fled into nearby hardware and retail stores for cover.

• A Final Stand: Both Milams were struck first and fell into the mud. Reportedly, a dying Dick Milam propped his pistol on his son’s limp body to continue firing at the lawmen until his weapon was empty.

 

Folklore and Alternative Theories

While the official story describes a face-to-face duel, local folklore suggests a more complex conspiracy:

• The Hidden Rifleman: One eyewitness account claimed the bullets that killed the Woffords actually came from a rifle fired from a second-story window of the old First National Bank building across the street.

• The "Bloody Hand": For years, locals pointed to a dark spot on the corner of the Perkins Bros. building, which was said to be where Amos Wofford placed a bloody hand as he collapsed.

The Aftermath

The shootout effectively ended the "roguish era" of Winnsboro. By 1910, all saloons in the city were closed by local option elections. The Wofford brothers were buried in the Union Cemetery south of Sulphur Springs, and they are still remembered today for giving their lives to bring law and order to the community.