20th Century Rangers (pictorial) With A Story Er Two....Post 39&43

[A10]

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

 

[keith44spl]

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

Great story as always, Dave.

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.

 

[Critch]

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.

 

[les.b]

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

 

[Lee's Landing Billy]

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

 

[usmc2427765]

I knew a few

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.

 

[okiegtrider]

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.

 

[vonn]

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

 

[model70hunter]

Thanks Dave.

I'm am enamored with Harrison ' s hat.

 

[Mule Packer]

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.

 

[Joe Kent]

I very much continue to enjoy this thread and will visit Waco in about a month and we always stop at the Ranger Museum. Always enjoy Texas.