WHAT DO YOU KNOW about the Texas
Rangers?
In 1886, the state legislature officially
recognized the Texas Rangers but their revered reputation was established
earlier. Many young men drawn to danger and adventure came to Texas. They were
Indian fighters and fought Mexico for Independence with Sam Houston in the
Battle of San Jacinto and later they fought alongside the U.S. Army in central
Texas.(1) They participated in the last great Indian Battle of Palo Duro Canyon
when Comanche Chief Quanah surrendered. Rangers, training with Teddy
Roosevelt’s Rough Riders in San Antonio, went with him to Cuba for the Spanish
American War.(2)
As
early as 1835, Indian fighters called a “Corp of Rangers” provided security for
the early colonies. They were paid by the provisional governments. Extra money
was earned by trading horses and plunder. They rode with no baggage, no tents and
they ate what they shot. They were skillful and resourceful but rough and
undisciplined. Dressed in skins and buffalo coats, they usually had facial hair
and wore slouched hats and a belt and holster with five shot Colt pistols. Later
their choice of guns was the improved Patterson that shot a 36 caliber ball, or
perhaps the 44 caliber weapon. Rangers were great marksman who easily could
drop a buffalo with a shot between its eyes.
The
well established reputation of the Texas Rangers has endured. During
Prohibition Governor Pat Neff called on Rangers to join other state and federal
law officers destroying 153 illegal distilleries located in the hills near Glen
Rose, Texas (1922-23). An extensive moonshine syndicate was supplying the
thirsts in Dallas and Ft. Worth as well as those of the locals. (3)
Later
Governor Price Daniels and his Attorney General Will Wilson attempted several
times to arrest members of the Maceo family that reigned in Galveston
(1950-60). However Rangers discovered that the Balinese Room was raid-proof. (4)
Dr.
Tom Staley, retired director of
the Harry Ransom Center became aware of a missing 6 x 8 foot painting belonging
to the University of Texas. It had been restored, cleaned and exhibited first
at the Waldorf Astoria in New York then in the Metropolitan Museum (early 1990).
The important Mexican painter, Siqueiros had been commissioned by George
Gershwin to paint “George in an Imaginary
Concert Hall” in 1936, A few months later George moved to Hollywood leaving
the painting with his brother Ira who is credited with leaving it in his will to
the University’s H.R.C. Gershwin collection.
Tom
informed the museum that several Texas Rangers would arrive in New York City on
a certain date, to see to the return of the painting. The large painting, of
George Gershwin playing a piano on stage with family and friends in the front
row, was summarily returned to the University Texas. (5)
I
was too young in 1940 to accompany my mother on visits with her friends. However “Cap” Molesworth’s Ranger adventures
on the plains of Texas and Kay Molesworth’s long career in the consulate’s
office in London, provided my mother with many contrasting and entertaining
stories for her to bring home to share. Carole
Sikes copyright
(1)
The
Battle of Plum Creek, referenced in both in the Harrigan and Fehrenbach Texas
histories. (2)The Battle of San Juan Hill ref. Ken Burn’s TV special. (3) Laws against the consumption, production
and transportation of liquor: 18th Amendment to the U.S.
Constitution, 1919; a stricter Dean Law passed by Texas Legislature, 1919. (4) Coming
in later Banner columns: stories of Glen Rose and Galveston (5) New York Times
article, Aug. 30, 1998.
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