A bronze sculpture commemorating Mexican cowboys and their role in Texas ranching will keep its gun.
The Fort Worth City Council on Tuesday agreed not to tamper with the design. The 10-foot tall artwork called "Vaquero de Fort Worth" is expected to be installed this spring.
Council members also agreed to pay nearly $31,000 to the artists and a foundry, plus $5,000 toward legal fees.
Manuel Valdez with the Vaquero Project Core Committee had objected to including a gun. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports the group's initial research found no illustrations of vaqueros with guns.
Sculptors Tomas Bustos and David Newton of Dallas worked on the project, which includes a bullet belt and a holstered pistol. Bustos says the revolver is accurate to the period.
The artwork was approved by the Fort Worth City Council in 2004 using public art funds. The sculpture will be placed at the Vaquero Sculpture Plaza along North Main Street at Central and Ellis avenues.
