Texan Magazine
The Legendary Texas Rangers Celebrate 200 Years Of Service • 1883-2023
By Bill Dante
Captain and Chairman Of The Board,
Former Texas Rangers Foundation
It has been said that if it wasn’t for the Texas Rangers, there would be no Texas. Today, the elite law enforcement agency conducts investigations involving major violent crimes, public corruption, cold case and officer involved shooting incidents and oversees the department’s border security and tactical and crisis negotiation programs.
Wondering how it all started?
Stephen F. Austin, first assembled just ten men to patrol different ranges to protect settlers which included the 100 families that he brought to Texas.
All kinds of bad guys were roaming around Texas looking for easy targets. There were banditos from the south and most of all there were Comanche Indians from the north.
By the year 1826 there were approximately 300 volunteer Rangers, helping to protect lives, farms and livestock.
The 1830s brought the Texas Revolution and the battle at the Alamo.
The Texas Rangers had a reputation of being fearless with tireless determination.
Many counties in Texas are either named after Texas Rangers, defenders of the Alamo and early politicians of the state. I’m sure you will recognize Texas Rangers Jack Hays (Hays County, San Marcos) Texas Ranger, Samuel Walker of course and his best friend Texas Ranger Gillespie.
It was Walker who traveled to New York and met with Samuel Colt to develop the Colt six-shooter. “A gun that would drop a horse,” was the request. That weapon changed the entire frontier. One of the first times the Colt was used in a fight was between Hays and about fifteen of his men against eighty Comanches outside the town of Sisterdale.
You can read all about the battle on line. The title is, The Battle of Walker Creek. Unfortunately, Walker and Gillespie were killed not long after in Mexico fighting in the short Mexican- American war. Their bodies were brought back and supposedly buried on the same spot, in San Antonio, that also bore some remains of the defenders of the Alamo.
A little known but true fact is that all the remains were moved in 1823, to make room for the cities expansion. They were buried in one of the first city cemeteries just east of the train station. Both graves have tombstones next to each other, with some of the remains of the Alamo defenders buried between them. The interesting thing is that their graves are on a hill looking down directly in line with the Alamo. I have dropped by many times and it’s always an emotional visit.
Back to the 200th Anniversary, the Civil War came and went with the Texas Rangers still dealing with major fights against the Comanches. In 1874 the state of Texas approved the first Ranger force. Although with the Civil War ending, there were a lot more people moving to Texas. Most towns had their own law enforcement with local sheriffs. So by 1900 the need for the past type of Texan Rangers was diminishing.
Things were relatively quite until 1910 when the border between Mexico and the United States exploded. Major violence between Anglos and Mexicans caused the Governor to send at least 100 Texas Rangers to the border and a separate force of private Rangers….which was not a good idea. Hundreds of Mexicans were executed or killed without any legal protection. In 1919, the special Rangers were finally disbanded.
The Texas Rangers organization was reformed with the leadership of great men like Thomas Hickman and Frank Hamer. They took the reins and led the Texas Rangers to once again be highly respected. By the way, Texas Ranger, Frank Hamer, along with other Rangers and Louisiana law enforcement are the ones who followed and ambushed Bonnie and Clyde on May 23rd 1934, bringing their reign of terror to an end.
If you haven’t seen the most recent Bonnie and Clyde movie it’s on Netflix and is called “The Highwaymen,” starring Kevin Costner and Woody Harrelson. It shows the true story of the young infamous duo of killers. Bonnie and Clyde were responsible for 14 deaths and most of them were law enforcement who didn’t stand a chance. Check it out, two great actors and a very enjoyable movie.
I wanted to mention that in 1935 the Department of Public Safety was created and the Texas Rangers have since been under that department.
Colonel Homer Garrison, a legend, was responsible for managing, molding and raising the Texas Rangers status to where it is today.
In the last few decades the Texas Rangers have built one of the top crime labs in the United States, solving thousand of cases with some of national and world prominence. One example was the “Railroad Killer” who was riding from coast to coast on a killing spree. Then of course there was the horrific University of Texas sniper and lets not forget the “Killer Nurse” Genene Jones.
Today, the Texas Rangers, men and women, are stationed all over the state. In South Texas there are several places you can go to see Texas Ranger memorabilia. The first is the Texas Ranger Museum on Houston street in downtown San Antonio. You will see stories, pictures and items that belonged to just a few of the legendary lawmen. The museum is connected to the Buckhorn saloon which has its own museum, restaurant and something cold to drink. Both located a block from The Alamo and right around the corner from the famous Riverwalk.
If you’re in the mood for fresh air and open skies, featuring stunning, lifesized bronze sculpture displays, then head to the gorgeous, scenic Texas Hill Country in the city of Fredericksburg. You’ll find the Texas Ranger Heritage Center, located right next to Fort Martin Scott which was one of the first frontier forts. Together you will find 25 acres with free parking and free admission and the opportunity to meet some Rangers and a pleasant knowledgable staff to show you around. The Heritage Center is on the east side of town on Hwy 290 heading toward Luckenbach or the LBJ Ranch in Johnson City.
Hard to believe there’s been 200 Hundred years of Texas Rangers. We salute the over 500 Texas Rangers who have lost there lives in the line of duty starting in 1823. We salute the former Texas Rangers, we also salute the active Texas Rangers who someday will be in the Former Texas Rangers Association.
Stand up and tip your Stetson to the men and women of the Texas Rangers.
The Former Texas Rangers Foundation, a non-profit organization based in Fredericksburg, Texas, will be celebrating the 200th anniversary with a spectacular gala on November 4th in the picturesque town of Kerrville, Texas.
The gala is open to the public and will be held at the Inn of The Hills Hotel and Conference Center. Entertainment will be the Jamm Band with members of GEORGE STRAIT’S ACE IN THE HOLE BAND with special guest BUBBA STRAIT.
Grab your hat and boots and join us for a spectacular night!
