Just a note: I found this little paper booklet and wanted to preserve it on here and share it with others who might be interested. It is a small little booklet and has some old age wear to it.
The Texas Rangers An American Legend
DAISY Since 1886 presents the story of....
Robert W. Stephens, author of THE TEXAS RANGERS was born in Dallas, is a graduate of Southern Methodist University, served in Navy during Korean War, has been a professional writer specializing in Texas Ranger history since 1970, and is also an avid collector of all types of Ranger relics for what has been termed one of the most extensive collections.
Stephens is the author of three books: Walter Durbin, Texas Ranger And Sheriff (1970}, Texas Ranger Sketches (1972) and A Texan In The Gold Rush (1972) as well as several pamphlets and magazine articles.
Copyright 1973 Daisy Division Comptometer Corporation. Rogers, Arkansas 72756
The TEXAS RANGERS An American Legend By Robert W. Stephens
Photographs used with permission Robert W. Stephens and Texas Ranger Museum, Waco, Texas
Colt 1856 "Texas Paterson" had folding trigger which dropped down hen hammer was cocked.
No more colorful body of fighting men has ever graced the pages of american history than the the Texas Rangers, our nation's oldest law enforcement body. Through the years its members have become legendary as a result of their long established traditions and today it is proud men who wear a Ranger badge.
Born of necessity in 1823, the first Rangers were employed by Stephen F. Austin as a private army of ten men to protect the early colonists from the constant danger of Indian attacks when Texas was a province of Mexico. Because these men "ranged" throughout a vast area, they became known as Rangers and soon established a reputation that still exists today. When Texas independence was declared in 1835, the
revolutionary body then in session provided for a force of Rangers and by so doing they became officially constituted as a state force that was to exist as an independent body for one hundred years.
The infant Republic of Texas, which won its independence at San Jacinto in 1836 and existed until statehood in 1845, depended heavily on Rangers to protect its broad frontier from hostile Indians. At a time when most Americans were far re-
moved from sch dangers, the early Texans were under the constant threat of the tomahawk and scalping knife. among the most difficult duties they assumed during that period resulted from the failure of the Congress of the republic of Texas to appropriate funds for the Texas army in 1841; they army was disbanded and it was Rangers under Jack Hays who assumed the responsibilities of a military force.
Albert Grimes, a veteran of many gunfights. In 1884 he prevented the robbery of a bank in Wichita Falls by killing the would-be robber with a double barrel shotgun.
After much conflict between Texas and Mexico over disputed territory, their differences led to war when Texas joined the American union in 1845. General Zachary Taylor formed troops to cross the Rio Grande in 1846and Texas Rangers became a part of his army. Most prominent among them were experienced frontiersmen under
Bill Van Riper, who served in Company C along the Rio Grande in the 1880's and was later a Deputy United States Marshal.
Jack Hays, who soon made history at Monterrey, where Rangers gained national prominence for the first time. Armed with Colt revolvers in addition to their rifles and Bowie knives, they were often engaged in hand-to-hand fighting where it was Bowie knives against enemy lances. Hays' Rangers
Colt .44 carried by Wood Saunders.
Bowie knife used by Ira Aten.
presented an unusual appearance for soldiers since they did not conform to army discipline, wore clothes of their own choice rather than uniforms and were heavily armed. Despite their appearance the Rangers proved to be the best troops in the American army.
Fort ten years following the end of the war in 1848, the task of protecting the frontier was assumed by United States troops and the Rangers saw little service until 1858. The companies of Rip Ford and Sul Ross became active and Captain Ross' men freed an Indian captive, Cynthia Ann Parker, in a battle with Comanches in 1860.
Gun belt worn by Eddie Aten . Chihuahua purs worn by Eddie Aten.
After Texas seceded from the union in 1861, the United States troops withdrew from the state, leaving the Western frontier unprotected. Soon Rangers occupied the abandoned military forts and furnished protection from Indian raids during the Civil War years. When the war ended the force was disbanded by the military authorities and corrupt politicians then in office, causing Texans again to be dependent on the scant protection furnished by army troops for the next nine years. As a result, the frontier became unsafe and civil law was unfairly enforced by military authorities, which lead to widespread outlawry. Mexican bandits, encouraged by the prospects of easy gain, raided across the Rio Grande to steal Texas cattle but the military troops did little to end the lawlessness.
1884 Winchester used by Eddie Aten. 1895 Winchester used by Billy McCauley. Colt .45 carried by Eddie Aten. Colt .45 carried by Carl Kirchner.
This condition existed until 1874, when the Texas Legislature, again controlled by responsible men, passed a bill creating six companies of Rangers to be known as the Frontier Battalion and at the same time authorized the formation of a Special Force of one company. Texans rejoiced at the news as the Range Captains enrolled men anxious to serve. The Frontier Battalion, commanded by Major John B. Jones, was formed to serve primarily against the Indians on the Western frontier while the Special Force, under Captain L. H. McNelly, was to rid South Texas of the many cattle thieves and outlaws in that area and reestablish law and order. Less than tow months after the Frontier Battalion was formed Major Jones led a small group of Rangers in a day long battle with Indians at Lost Valley, where casualties were heavy on both sides. The fist significant duty of McNelly's Special Force was in DeWitt County, where they took action in the bloody Taylor-Sutton feud.
Sam Pickett, one of several Rangers who were employed on the King Ranch after their service, became a cowpuncher.
The hardships and perils faced by the Rangers were many and the demands made of them were great, but, in spite of these difficult conditions, they received little pay. It has been said that satisfaction was their greatest reward and danger their constant companion. Both the Captains and their Rangers were bold men who put service to their state above personal safety.
Ranger Walter Durbin killed several outlaws but gained his greatest fame in 1887 when he killed the murderer of the Sheriff of LaSalle County, Texas. Walter Durbin, William Treadwell, George Clark, 1886
Jim Sedberry, whose adventures took him up the trail to Kansas with herds of longhorns after he had established a formidable reputation as a Ranger.
In a bold move in 1875, Captain McNelly actually invaded Mexico with a small but daring force of his Rangers in defiance of international law to pursue thieves who had stolen Texas cattle. Major Jones made an equally bold move in 1877 by going into Lampassas County, where the Horrell-Higgins feud had taken many lives. Ranger John Armstrong also gained fame that year by arresting John Wesley Hardin, Texas most wanted killer with more than forty notches on his guns. A year later, in 1878, it was Ranger Dick Ware who ended the outlaw career of Sam Bass with a shot from his Colt .45 in Round Rock. Although these were but a few of their achievements, it soon became apparent that the days of the outlaw and Indian raider were numbered in Texas.
E. A. Maddrey, who helped bring law and order to North Texas when the danger to lawmen was great.
Will Owen
Meanwhile, other Rangers on the frontier drove the last of the warring Indians from Texas by 1881 and from that time on the Texas Rangers became lawmen in the traditional concept. During the 1880's much of their time was spent in suppressing the activities of fence cutters. The fence cutting troubles arose when large landowners strung barbed wire to protect their grass and water from the cattle of small ranchers who did not own enough land to support their herds.
BIG...BOLD AND COMMANDING AS THE COURAGEOUS MEN IT HONORS
Daisy TEXAS RANGER
COMMEMORATIVE B.B. CARBINE.
This officially sanctioned, Daisy Texas Ranger Commemorative rifle is a must for every gun collector--novice and expert alike. The seal of the Texas Ranger Commission is mounted on the stock and a metallic replica of the Ranger badge appears on the receiver. The reverse side is coined with "1823 - The Texas Rangers - 1973". The receiver also has Daisy's unique case-hardened plating which creates an attractive iridescent coloring that varies from gun to gun with no two alike. Daisy's exclusive plating closely resembles the lost gunsmiths' art of case-hardening. Daisy's commemorative is a "spittin' image" model of the famed 1894 saddle gun. The BB carbine is extremely authentic, ideal for accurate shooting and is an attractive addition to any sportsman's collection.
TEXAS RANGER BB CARBINE MODEL 5694 SPECIFICATIONS
Stock: Molded. Straight western with mounted Ranger commemorative seal. Steel butt plate. Forearm: Molded, wood grain. Receiver: Exclusive case-hardened plating with replica of Ranger badge and coined on reverse side with "192--The Texas Rangers--1973". Action: Two-way lever.
Sights: Post=ramp front, adjustable open rear. Feed: Positive spring action. Side loading port, 40-shot capacity. Length: 383/8 inches. Packaging: Carrying case carton covered with montage of historic Ranger photos.
Authientic reproductions of famous Single Action Peacemaker...ideal for plinking or den decoration.
MATCHED COMPANIONS TO RANGER CARBINE
Daisy TEXAS RANGERS SET OF COMMEMORATIVE BB PISTOLS
OFFICIAL TEXAS RANGER COMMEMORATIVE SEAL.
Daisy's "spittin' images" of the famed Peacemaker in special Texas Ranger Commemorative issued sets of a matched pair - perfect to launch a collection as well as attractive additions to existing collections. A miniature of the official Commemorative seal is embedded on the grip with a small version Ranger badge mounted on the reverse side. The gun barrel is coined with "1823- The Texas Rangers - 1973". Frame has Daisy's unique case-hardened plating which is reminiscent of the lost, gunsmith-art of creating stronger steel. Ideal for short range plinking or as den decoration.
Walter Durbin
By the 1890's much of Texas enjoyed law and order but on occasion trouble developed in various towns that Rangers were sent to quell. When mob violence in the little town of San Saba during that period resulted in several murders, an appeal was made for Rangers to restore order. The four Rangers sent there soon found themselves in a dangerous position but they were so determined to enforce the law that they swore an oath to die together rather than fail in their assignment. Their determination was soon tested when a local man whose gun was on the side of the mob walked the streets of San Saba for the expressed purpose of killing a Ranger. The first of the lawmen he met was Dudley Barker, the youngest of the four Rangers in town, but he badly over-matched himself when he selected the youthful Barker as his intended victim. Before the gunman could fire a shot he was hit five times by bullets from Barker's .45 six-shooter. Because of such displays of courage and effectiveness, peace was soon restored to the troubled town.
Frank Schmid. In 1889 he received a serious wound while attempting to prevent a riot in Richmond, Texas and died as a result it four years later.
Henry McCulloch, a Ranger of the Indian War period. Both he and his famous brother, Ben McCulloch, served as early day Rangers and as Generals in the Confederate army.
As the activities of the Rangers of Frontier Battalion increased, so did their fame. Soon stories of the exploits of the fearless men with iron nerves and fast guns were known across the state but it was one unproven tale that caused the greatest interest. It centered around the mayor of a small West Texas town where a riot so serious had occurred that it could not be stopped. The mayor appealed to the Governor for assistance, then anxiously awaited the arrival of the train bringing the help he had been promised. When the train slowed to a stop only one Texas Ranger stepped from it. The concerned mayor, it is said then offended the Ranger by suggesting that he could not handle the tense situation alone but the Ranger's reply made history. "You only have one riot," he said and thus another legend was born - "One riot, one Ranger!"
When Ira Aten posed for this picture in Round Rock, Texas, about 1890, he had served as both a Ranger and Sheriff before he was thirty years old.
It is the Captains who have traditionally been considered the bravest of the brave and who have been chosen to command because of outstanding personal qualities. All were dedicated to their work, but it was Captain Sam McMurry who best demonstrated those qualities when a businessman whose life he had saved offered him a $5,000.00 reward. True to his nature, Captain McMurry declined the generous offer, saying "The State of Texas is paying me."
Texas Ranger Oliver J. "Ollie" Perry
San Sabo, Texas
The Special Force existed only until 1881, but the Frontier Battalion, which became the most famous of all Ranger units, made history until 1901, when it was abolished and the service reorganized as the Texs Ranger Force. The new force consisted of four companies, whose Captains all had served in the Frontier Battalion. One of these, John R. Hughs, had the distinction of serving longer as a Captain that any other old time Ranger, nearly twenty-two eventful years.
When violence was expected to result from a railroad strike in Temple, Texas, in 1894, Rangers were sent to enforce the law. Their presence prevented trouble.
Captain Frank Jones of Company D. One of the most famous officers of the Frontier Battalion. Captain Jones was ambushed and murdered near San Elizario, Texas, in 1893.
Watch presented to Captain Frank Jones by Rangers in his company in 1888.
For several years following the turn of the century Rangers saw considerable action along the Rio Grande but at the beginning of World War I the danger of German spies and enemy aliens crossing into Texas from Mexico made their task more difficult. The Ranger force was increased to approximately 1,000 men, whose duty was to protect the border.
Captain Frank Jones' Company D. 1888.
Prohibition followed the World War and liquor smugglers then became the most dangerous enemy. Large pack trains carrying illegal liquor crossed the Rio Grande at unguarded points and were often intercepted by Rangers on patrol. When this occurred, gun battles usually took place and many lives were lost.
1901 THE FRONTIER BATTALION ABOLISHED
World War One RANGER FORCE Expanded to 1000 Men
When the discovery of oil brought large numbers of criminals to Texas towns with dreams of immediate wealth at the expense of the oil field workers, the Rangers were called on to maintain peace. Little law was evident in most of the oil towns, where violence became commonplace, but Rangers successfully met the challenge. Most notorious of these towns was Borger, in the Panhandle of Northwest Texas, where murder and robbery were frequent and the lawless element operated openly until Captain Frank Hamer was sent there in 1927. So bold were the criminals that a notice offering odds that the Captain would not live thirty days appeared in the local newspaper of the town they thought was too tough to tame. Within time, however, law and order returned to Borger when the criminals were driven from town, and Captain Hamer and His Rangers tamed Borger.
Jim Barringer, who as a member of Company C participated in the arrest of many fugitives. The large Mexican sombrero he wore was typical of those seen in south Texas in the 1880's.
Dick Ware, the Ranger who killed outlaw Sam Bass in Round Rock, Texas, in 1878. Ware later served as the first Sheriff of Mitchell, County, Texas, and as a United States Marshall.
Captain Frank Hamer was sent to Borger in 1927 when the discovery of oil brought numerous undesirables to that town and murder became commonplace. Captain Hamer and his Rangers reestablished order in the town the criminals though was too tough to tame.
BORGER IS TAMED
Next, the oil fields in the piney woods of East Texas attracted criminals to Kilgore just as they had been drawn to Borger. Sent there in 1931, the Rangers required that suspicious men show proof of employment those whose hands did not show signs of honest labor were told to leave town. Not wanting to face Rangers in a showdown, few of them lingered.
It was in Gladewater that the last Texas Ranger to die in the line of duty, Dan McDuffie, was killed in 1931. Ranger McDuffie was buried under the Lone Star flag of Texas as a saddened state paid him tribute.
Throughout the years Rangers have been exposed to many dangers, yet they have standards of the force. Often they have been outnumbered, but never outfought. In 1935, when the Texas Department of Public Safety was formed by incorporating the Rangers and the Highway Patrol into a single law enforcement agency, the Texas Rangers ceased to exist as an independent body after one hundred years of service. During that century they had become an American legend unequaled in reputation and performance of duty.
Even today many of the eighty-two men comprising the Ranger service headed by Senior Ranger Captain Clint Peoples, chairman of the Texas Ranger Commission, are aware of their rich heritage, still follow the traditions of the old time horseback Rangers. Although some wear business suits, most still favor boots and Western hats. each has his own horse but they can use a Department of Public Safety helicopter and armored car if needed in their continuing fight against crime. The Rangers of 1973 are trained in the most up-to-date scientific methods of crime detection and are experts in the use of various types firearms. While some still carry the old fashioned six-shooter, they also have sub machine guns, tear gas guns and modern high powered rifles equipped with telescopic sights and can effectively use each of these weapons. Today's Rangers have four primary duties: to protect life and property, to suppress riots and insurrections, t investigate major crimes and to apprehend fugitives.
Many efforts have been made by radical groups to abolish the Teas Rangers but none have been successful and today the force is supported and respected by all public spirited citizens. So great is their fame that it can be said that there will be Texas Rangers as long as there is a Texas.
FORT FISHER
The Homer Garrison Memorial Museum
WACO, TEXAS
Brazos River and Highway 35
Early in 1837, a company of Texas Rangers commanded by Captain Thomas H. Barron at Fort Milam was ordered to establish a station at the nearby Waco Indian village on the Brazos River in central Texas, then a remote part of the frontier. There, on the banks of the Brazos, the outpost they constructed was named Fort Fisher in honor of William S. Fisher, the Secretary of War of the Republic of Texas who had ordered its establishment.
Today teh progressive city of Waco occupies the site of that early outpost and through the efforts of history-minded local businessmen Fort Fisher has been recreated to house the Homer Garrison Memorial Museum as well as the offices of Texas Ranger Company F. On display in the spacious building are mementos of Rangers both past and present that vary from Indian arrows of the frontier period to automatic firearms of the modern era, yet each is symbolic of their colorful history. Included among the displays are original paintings and bronzes by prominent Western artists, and other interesting items pertaining to Ranger history. The collection is considered to be the most extensive of its type in existence.
Resulting from the efforts begun in 1963, the museum was dedicated in 1968 in an impressive ceremony naming it in honor of the late Colonel Homer Garrison, Jr., long-time Chief of the Texas Rangers. In awareness of its significance, the ceremony was attended by dignitaries from across the state, many Rangers and ex-Rangers as well as other law enforcement personnel.
Constructed of native stone in an architectural style representative of early Texas, the modern facility at Fort Fisher today holds little likeness to the crude frontier structures erected by Captain Barron's Rangers in 1837. It is a major tourist attraction visited by increasing numbers each year and is located at Interstate Highway 35 and the Brazos River, within the city limits of Waco, Texas. Fort Fisher is supervised by the Parks and Recreation Department of The City of Waco.
Typical Ranger museum display case of historical relics and artifacts.
