I haven't posted any tall tales or Ranger stories in the last several months, so here goes.

Been convalescin' from a few hospital stays and after the last battery of tests I decided I need a break.
So, we went down to the place south of the Red River for a few days (more like weeks) to recoup and just chill for a spell.

Had a little business to tend too down toward Austin, stop by the Ranger Museum in Waco for a short visit and to make a few photo of anything new.

Always like the old leather and firearms and seeing photographs of men from my generation as well as my elders.

So here goes, the first installment of the thread...




Two Gun Rangers


Captain Manuel T. Gonzaullas





Ranger Jim Geer



Capt. James Frank Rogers
(standing in middle)


Capt. Rogers Colt Commanders,



Ranger Walter Russell





Capt. J. M. Fox's 44


Ranger Glenn Elliott's pistols and revolvers...


Captain Bob Mitchell,


Hamer Revolver,



Ranger Marvin 'Red' Burton,





Ranger Captain James A. Wright,




Capt. Hardy B. Purvis,




Ranger John Dudley White Jr.,





Ranger Dan Westbrook,






Colonel Homer Garrison,



The Colonel's 1911 pistols


Ranger Harrison Hamer,





Capt. William L. Wright




Colt Commanders,




The four pistols were presented by the McNiel family to;
Rangers John Dendy, Howard Alfred, Captain Bob Mitchell and Sheriff Eddie Boggs.




To those who were killed in the Line Of Duty in the 20th Century;

DOHERTY, BOBBY PAUL--- Ranger in Co B
Shot by Gregory Ott during a narcotics raid in Argyle, Texas, February 21, 1978.

GUFFEY, STANLEY KEITH --- Sgt. in Co F
Shot by Brent A. Beeler while rescuing 3 year old Kara Lee Whitehead, February 22, 1987.
Guffy’s partner Sgt. John Aycock shot and killed Beeler.

NORDYKE, CLARENCE R.----Ranger in Co E
Killed in a car/train accident, October 4, 1955.

WHITE, H. A.---- Ranger in Co A
Killed in a car/train accident near Richmond,Texas, December 8, 1961. DPS polygraph operator, Oscar B. Brett was also killed.

ALSOBROOK, WILL M.---Pvt. in Co I
Died December 9, 1919 "In the Line of Duty." Shot on the 8th, died on the 9th.

BUCHANAN, JOE BEN ---- Pvt. in Co A
Record noted "Killed in Action", December 25, 1921.

BURDETT, ROBERT L.---Pvt. in Co B
Record states "Killed in Action", June 7, 1915.

CARNES, QUIRL BAILEY----Pvt. in C D
Shot from ambush by Mexican Bandits near San Benito, Cameron County, Texas, July 31, 1910.

GOFF, TOM J.----Pvt. in Co C
Killed by his prisoner, Augustine Garcia near Terlingua, Texas, September 13, 1905

HULEN, EUGENE B.--- Pvt. in Co C
Shot from ambush by Mexican Bandits May 24, 1916. Also killed was U.S. Mounted Customs Inspector Joe Sitters, a former Ranger.

HUNT, R.E.----- Pvt. in Co L
Died of Spanish Influenza, October 15, 1918. He had been ordered to El Paso to assist the health inspector with the quarantine and as a result contracted the disease and died.

McDUFFIE, DAN L.--- Pvt. in Co C
Shot at Gladewater, Texas, record noted "Killed in the Line of Duty", July 7, 1931.

PENNINGTON, BEN L.----Pvt. in Co L
Record notes "Died of Spanish Influenza" October 12, 1918. Sent to El Paso to assist the quarantine officer and contracted the disease.

PERKINS, T.E.P. ----Pvt. in Co L
Reported as shot and mutilated by Mexican bandits November 7, 1918.

RANSOM, HENRY L.----Capt. of Co C
Shot in a hotel in Sweetwater, Texas, April 1, 1918.

ROBUCK, EMMETT----Pvt. in Co C
Shot from ambush by Mexican bandits near Brownsville, Texas, September 9, 1902.

RUSSELL, SCOTT---- Pvt. in Co A
Shot at a smelter near El Paso, Texas, June 23, 1913.

SADLER, L.T.--- Pvt. in Co G
Record notes "Killed accidentally on Devil’s River", September 15, 1918|.

SHAW, JOE R. ----Pvt. in Co G
Record notes killed, August 21, 1918.

STILLWELL, W.P.----Pvt. in Co F
Record notes killed on the Rio Grande River near Santa Helena, April 3, 1918.

THOMAS, H.M. ‘DOC’--- Pvt. in Co A
Killed in Amarillo, Texas, January 6, 1909.

TIMBERLAKE, DELBERT---- Pvt. in Co F
Shot from ambush by Mexican smugglers near Brownsville, Texas, October 11, 1918.

TURNER, H.R. LUCK----Pvt. Co C Died
Died of a heart attack while investigating the murder of a Baylor coed, July 11, 1933. She was the niece of Capt. Hammond, Co. C Texas Rangers.

WHITE, EMMETT--- Pvt. in Co C
Record noted Killed. He was run over by a oil field truck on "Pistol Hill" near Kilgore, Texas, August 8, 1933.

WHITE, HOMER---- Pvt. in Co A
Shot on the RR Depot platform at Weatherford, Texas by E.S.Clark, February 4, 1908.

WHITE, JOHN DUDLEY---Pvt. in Co B
Killed by draft evaders in San Augustine County, July 12, 1918.



To be continued....

Su Amigo,
Dave

__________________
"IN GOD WE TRUST"

Dave, thanks for posting, I always enjoy Texas Ranger pictures and "lore" and try to stop at Waco everytime I get even kind of close. Have you been to the "Buckhorn?" tavern in San Antonio? I understand the "Former Texas Rangers" have a display there. Dave, as always, all my very best, Joe.

I love these pics.....thanks so much and keep posting...I need to go see that museum one day

Thanks for posting! Great to see a bit of history from the Republic's early days =)

Very impressive weapons.
From a "Street Cop's" view those weapons must have cost several months Rangers wages.

Style and class, nuff said.

__________________
Fidelis Ad Mortem

Thanks for sharing that. Can't wait to see more.

Sir, glad to see that you are up and feeling well enough to start adding stories to the forum again.

Thanks for the pictures and the history of some really interesting weapons used by some, I'm sure, interesting old time lawmen.

__________________
Always Stay Strong!

Wow, I love it!! Thanks a bunch!!

__________________
Go big or stay home

Dave,with your continued adding of neat pictures, it just gets better and better,Thanks again and keep'um coming, Joe.

Very interesting that so many of the rangers kept pairs, very interesting.


Cat

__________________
Think for yourself.

What a great thread!

__________________
Pace

I stopped by the Ranger Museum this past spring on my way through Waco and spent a WHOLE LOT longer time than I first expected. Wonderful museum. Thanks for the revisit!

Jerry

Dave,

Now them old boys had some style.

This thread really adds to my appreciation of the rigs you have made for me and the others on this fourm.

Thanks for posting this thread. Hope you do well in your upcoming meetin' with the "cutter"

Really like this thread. Please continue.

__________________
Mighty 90's,Trying 4 a 100!

I'm impressed. It's great to see the pride the old gentlemen had in their equipment. I'm completely dazzled by the leatherwork!

Great post. Thank you...

Gracias Amigo.

__________________
Living a dream - S&WCA #2364

Great pics...thanks for taking those and sharing. I'm loving those 1911 Colts. Going to go back and look at them again now.

__________________
C & L

Very cool. The age of iron men with steel guns...

__________________
Proud anachronism

My sister lives in Austin and if there is one thing I mean to do before I leave this earth is see that museum.
Next time I make a trip to see her, she and my wife will just have to do without me for a day!
A big "Thank's" for sharing this with us.

__________________
Danny A.

Captain Manuel T. Gonzaullas' 45's with the trigger guards cut away made me smile. The Lone Wolf had ta' keep the safety ON and the finger OFF when he re-holstered or he'd be the Limpin' Wolf!

Get yourself squared away and come back to see me in Louisville - me & Burg and Doublesharp ain't done with you yet!

Gail

Hey Ol Pard,

I'm still kickin...Just not as high!

I pack one without a trigger guard purty often, now and again...

"Not recommended for children or them fellers that's a squatin behind a piece of plywood
and a shootin at sum imaginary foe or 'em urban commandos types neither."

Ol Gonzaullas had a pair of Smith's with the guards cut away as well...It tain't so much about equipment as it is 'bout comin back alive.

Heard one of them Kentucky boys had to shoot an armed one off'n the hood of his crusier the other day...

I'm lookin forward to the next show...
Mabee we can all get together and visit fer a spell. Sure hope so.

Su Amigo,
Dave

__________________
"IN GOD WE TRUST"

Seems to me that this Dave Keith feller kinda fits the mold.. After visitin' with him a couple of times, I'm sure of it.

Wells Iggy,

Ya know the deal on them 'two gun' fellers...We don't have to carry all them extra mags.

As one ol hand sez, "If'n I can't get 'em in sixteen shots, Boys theys can't be had!"


Su Amigo,
Dave

__________________
"IN GOD WE TRUST"

Seems to me I've watched you shooting two guns from the hip.
You ain't gonna git no argiment from me.

Those are some great pictures and guns, but Wendy's favorite is the one of Dave.

keith44spl,

I hope your health is good. Thanks for the pics. I too want to see the Texas Ranger museum some day.

As to the previous question, yes the Buckhorn Museum (last located in downtown San Antonio) has a small "Ranger Museum" located in it.

It's interesting to note that even though Patton said what he said several Rangers (and other SW lawmen) liked pearl grips.

__________________
Have guns...will shoot'em.

Thanks Ken for the kind words...Hope this finds ya'll doin well

Please give Wendy my best wishes.

Regards,
Dave




SF71,

Yup,

G.S. Patton's remark not withstanding, a lot of them ol fellers had MOP stocks.

Especially on their BBQ or parade pistols.

Just for what it's worth, I'd venture to say several of them fellers had been in more gunfights up close and personal than the good General.

I've never been one to judge a man by his 'handle', but more on his grip and stock.

Su Amigo,
Dave

__________________
"IN GOD WE TRUST"

I was always impressed with the old Ranger from the day that they were Cowboys riding the Range to protect folks from Indians and Mexican Banditos. Or the Rangers who were the best in LE that had been Great Investigators or Great Sherrifs or Chief of Police and were appointed Rangers.

The Rangers changed a lot in the late 1960s when the DPS took Control of the Rangers and only Sergeants from the DPS could be appointed Ranger. Most had no to very little investigative experience and training.

Rule 303

I believe your correct in your general statement.
Used to be a really good Sheriff or other agency officers could be appointed to the Rangers...
Like Ranger Ray Martinez, Ranger Red Arnold and others.

Or those that promoted up through the ranks within the Highway Patrol...Men like Capt. Bob Mitchell, Ranger Glenn Elliott, Howard Alfred,
Max Womack, Jim Ray and all the other fine men to serve the folks of Texas.

As of right now, Ya'd have to single handedly save the life of someone purty high up to get
a commission if'n you were from outside the DPS.

Su Amigo,
Dave

__________________
"IN GOD WE TRUST"

Most welcome Dave. We are doing great here still in the honeymoon stage after a year and a half, and I know she will appreciate your best wishes like I do. She is still moderating over there, and now on two forums.

Great thread, Dave. Thanks.

__________________
Wayne
Torn & Frayed

Thanks for sharing the photos and history of the Rangers. Every time I go through the museum, as I get near the end of my tour, I get a lump in my throat. Blessings to those men who so gloriously served the great State of Texas, and to their families as well.

Hog
Texan by the Grace of God
Okie by choice (was chasing a job!)

__________________
Isaiah 55:8-9
Phil. 4:13

Dave....I just found this thread while doing some other research.
This morning I had a conversation with Homer Garrison's grandson regarding some of Garrison's old guns. It was a pleasure just talking to him about Garrison and the early days of the Highway Patrol and the Rangers.
Thanks for posting!

What a wonderful thread. Some awesome history there!

Thanks for sharing it Dave

__________________
Take your time..quickly.

Dave,
Very nice post.
True American heroes.
Thanks for sharing and hope you're on the mend.

Chuck

__________________
They hold no Quarter

Ol Tequila Trail.

It was a moonlit night in February, of Nineteen Hundred and Twenty-Five.
The Eighteenth Amendment, Prohibition, the “noble experiment” was the order and law of the day. The international boundary of a mere river was not an overwhelming obstacle.
With great profits to be had, and a hero’s status south of the border as a smuggler, many sought to ply their trade.

A U.S. Mounted Inspector of Customs and other local Lawmen were a few miles north of the River watching and waiting, for the pack train of illicit liqueur laden mules they knew would cross into their jurisdiction at any time now.

The leader of this band of smugglers was none other than infamous Pancho Patino. Traveling with these loads were armed guards, men that had swore an oath to kill all and sun dried that tried to stop them. Patino was well armed and having survived several gunfights, had stated he would shoot it out with any opposition.

Patino was at 45 years of age in the prime of his life, tall and strong with dark eyes and black mustache, he was a hero to his people and fellow tequileros. Mounted on the legendary Iron Grey stallion, they were a formidable pair. This horse and rider was well known to Lawmen and folks on both sides of the river.

In addition to being a rum-runner, Pancho was a horse thief as well. Often times stealing several head of good Texas horse flesh while making his return run south,
back down the 'Tequila Trail'.

Horse theft was a felony and wasn’t tolerated. As Wm. Sydney Porter put it, “On the Border if you take a man’s life you sometime take trash; but if you take his horse, you take a thing, the loss of which renders him poor indeed and enriches you not…If you are caught.

Old traditions died hard in Texas and often, so did horse thieves.

Not only were the smugglers bring in illegal liquors, but were spreading ticks north as well. Ranchers were dippin’ livestock every fourteen days as it was…the tick infestation was a battle by it’s self.

Two respected lawmen of the South Texas country, Harrison Hamer (the younger brother of Frank Hamer) and S.P. Witt waited that night to intercept the smugglers and their loads. Their wait would not be a long one, as sound carrying well at night, the approach of the riders was soon heard.

The bright moon light silhouetted the band as they came into range of the riflemen concealed in the thick brush.
The horse, Iron Grey was well known to be able to smell out the hated Los Rinches [the Rangers] would let-out a snort, then wheel to escape with his rider.

Orange flames erupted from both sides, the big grey stallion fell and before the rider could take cover behind his fallen mount, Pancho Patino lay dead.

Patino was buried in the Brackettville City Cemetery by his brother Simon.
A fellow smuggler killed in the short fight was buried in a pauper’s grave by the county.

As for the carcass of the famous horse ‘Iron Grey’ it may have been left to the buzzards and coyotes,
as sometimes the remains of Tequileros did not fare much better.

As Ranger W.W. Sterling, while serving at an inquest recalled,

One of the boys wrote an impromptu epitaph:

"Here lies a rum running stranger.
He tried to kill a Texas Ranger."

It seems only the ‘loads’ have changed over time…


.

__________________
"IN GOD WE TRUST"

Now see, I always thought Harrison was Franks son. I didn't realize they were brothers.

Great story as always, Dave.

__________________
James L. "Jim" Rhiner

That was interesting. Looking forward to the next issue. Thanks for posting.

__________________
Mighty 90's,Trying 4 a 100!

Thanks for bringin' the thread back Dave, I got a chance to enjoy it all over again! Nicely told story, as always.....

__________________
Even older, even crankier....

Jim,

There's as many Capt. Frank Hamer stories as Carter's got Lit'l Liver Pills..........

But, this one is my personal favorite;

1948 U.S. Senate election

During the 1930s Hamer worked for various oil companies and shippers....Commisioned as a Special Ranger.
(Hamer, as well as most the other Rangers of substance, quit the Service when Miriam A. 'Ma' Ferguson was elected Governor.)

Hamer was called again to Ranger duty in 1948 by Governor Coke Stevenson to help "check" election returns in Jim Wells
and Duval counties during that year's U.S. Senate race.

In Duval county, Parr's men were armed and station near the bank where the election results were being held,
in an attempt to prevent any scrutiny of the ballots by Coke, Hamer and other officials.

Hamer led the way and advise those that tried to block their way, to "Get!" And from what I understand, theys did.

Yet despite Hamer's efforts, Stevenson lost to Lyndon Johnson. Due to the rampant fraud in the 1948 election,
the media sarcastically named Johnson "Landslide Lyndon" for his victory by just 87 votes.

Jim Wells County is known as the home of "Box 13", the infamous ballot box which gave Lyndon Baines Johnson a
hand full of votes to edge out the popular former Governor Coke Stevenson in the Democratic primary election.

It was later demonstrated that these 200 votes were "stuffed" into the ballot box after the polls had closed.
And Johnson went on to win the election.

*Duval County is historically notorious for corrupt politics, particularly during the mid-20th century,
when it was largely controlled by the political machine headed by George Parr, known as the "Duke of Duval".


.

**This here ain't meant to be political.....It's just a Historical thing.

__________________
"IN GOD WE TRUST"

My dad was a deputy US Marshall in the late 40s. He told me that when he had business in Texas he generally dealt with the Rangers and they were always efficient and fun. He liked his whiskey and he said the Rangers always seemed to have time to have a drink in a local spot with him. He especially liked the area around Plano, TX, but I'm not sure why.

Black Hills Leather of Laredo, TX made me a nice Threepersons holster and mag carrier for my Para 1911 with a Texas Ranger Star on it...I'm thinking of one for my S&W Model 15.

Attached Images

Black Hills Holster 2.jpg (94.8 KB, 69 views)

__________________
USAF AMMO!

Dave, I just gave you a bunch of "likes" on a thread you started in 2011!!

This is a great thread, and I hadn't seen it before. Some colorful history here.

Thanks for sharing with us...

Best Regards, Les

__________________
SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

I too had never seen this thread. What a delight! I have wanted one of The Pictorial History of the Texas Ranger books for years. Just could not pull the trigger on the price. I am now rethinking my previous decision.
Dave you have been very kind to me, sharing your leather artistry with me by making the best of my wearing gear. The BIG favor you helped me with over the last year is now off to Fords. Thanks for all you have shared and done for me. I am SO glad to wander on to this thread. Billy

Great images and wishing you a speedy recovery. During my 35 years of law enforcement in Texas, I had the privilege of knowing some of these men and was able to hunt the south Texas brush country with them and listen to their stories around a big Texas mesquite fire on crisp cold evenings. They are some times a bit gaudy with their bbq guns however they are dead serious about their jobs and after looking a few of them in the eye, I knew they would take a bad guy out in a heart beat if required. I was proud to have made their acquaintance and share in their stories.

I'm glad you linked this thread from the holster thread. Good stuff. Very much enjoyed that.

I'm privileged to call a couple Rangers friends of mine. Some of the finest cops I ever knew.

Favorite Ranger story in brief.
I called down to TX looking for some help on a case a few years ago. Needed a warrant to search a house in a N. Dallas suburb. Being an out of state cop, I certainly couldn't do that myself and the locals were being of zero assistance. Fella I was talking to said, if anyone can swing that for you, it would be Ranger..... I tell him, that's the guy I want to talk to then. He put me in touch, I explained the scenario, and he secured the search warrant . Judge signed it on the hood of pickup outside a bar on Friday night. Rangers get stuff done!

He did me a good turn. Still friends today. Hoping I can return the favor in some way one of these days.

__________________
America First

An old but very interesting thread,glad I saw it!

__________________
Hue 68 noli me tangere

Thanks Dave.

I'm am enamored with Harrison ' s hat.

Dave, I've always been interested in the Texas Rangers, not only in their weaponry but also in the many cases in which they've been involved.

I was especially interested in Ranger Jim Geer's brass knuckles and his work-worn sap.

No doubt about it, some of those ol' boys were pretty tough old birds.

__________________
Pack light and cinch tight.