The Penn's Grove record., 1885-10-10
Ths rs1as Rangers.


1t was on Ell Paso street. in Ell Paso.
Texas, that l remarked to a friend that
! desired to know how the state of
Texas, that Lone Star state of lone
things and wild romance, came to pos.
sess an armed force of state troops ever
In the Geld He replied: 81 know but
little of it, but there is a man who can
tell you all, " said he pointed to a young
fellow standing near the door of the
large butchei store of Mundy Bros, on
Ell Passo street. "Who is he2n l in
quired. "Why, who is he? Why. he is
j. b. Gillett, now our assistant mar
shall, but ono one of the best rangers
in the frontier battalion that ever put
spurs to a horse OF made q horse thief's
heart go right down in his boots. I'u
introduce you"
When, after being introduced, ! STA
ted the desire | bad to know all about
the rangers, in the interest of The
| Globe Democrat, Mr.. Glllett said:
10 tell all about the Texan rangers
worth telling would fill a good sized
volume, so You will have to be content
with an outline. The history of the
state in the southwest, from the days of
the Lone Star republic to the present
hour, has been one of continued strug-
gle with savage and seml-savage foes,
and the state had from time to time
since the war to raise troops to stand off
the Indians and help the authorities in
upholding the law. 1t vas IN 1874,
however. when Governor Richard Coke
was In office, that the present organi-
cation of rangers was effected. The
legislature appropriated 100000 to
protect the border counties, and o suit
able police, under the control of the
state and Adjuant General Steele, was
Immediately formed.
ut consisted then Of six companies
of ~seventy-hve men each. Each COM
pdny was commanded by a captain, two
l~ieutenants, three sergeants and four
corporals. 1t was soon found that the
appropriation would not be sufficient 10
support this establishment, and Ieduc-
tons had to be made from time to
time, so that at present the companies
are only twenty-five strong, and have
but n captain, n lieutenant, one
sergeant and two corporals each.
"What would be about the present
strength of the force2"
about $50 men, which is ample just
now. In 1882" continued the marshal,
CONGRESSMAN Upson introduced a bill,
| which passed both houses and was ap-
proved by the president, refunding to
the state 81, 1900 expended for
frontier defense, but the money has not
yet been received by the state"
what is the present pay or q ran.
gerPn
swell, a captain gets 500 a month,
rations and allowance for two horses; a
lieutenant $75, same rations and allow
ance for W horses; a sergeant $50, "a
tons and allowance for one horse; a cor.
poral S35, rations and allowance for one
horse. and a private $50, and allowance
the same as corporal. Privates used to
receive $40 a month when the battalion
was first organized"
what does the allowance for horse
amount to ?n
"a little over 81 a month. The men
provide their own horses and arms, but
they require"
Are the men all Texansp"
"No, the rule Is the reverse. They
are from every state in the Union, and
many of them are young fellows most
respectfully connected. Very few of
the old hands except officers are nov in
the service. Capt. l.. P. SEEKER is the
| veteran of the battalion. He joined iD
May, 1874, and has served without los
ing a day ever SINCE. He is now cap.
Tain of company ID, which he entered az
a private. This company killed more
Indians and rustlers than any other in
the service"
.'What are the usual duties of 0
ranger ?"
HE Is a state police officer and a
soldier at the same time. In the one
capacity he performs the duties of a
deputy sheriff ami is in addition en-
powered to arrest without warrant all
fugltives from justice in the state. A
list of these fugifiyes is furnished from
the Office of the adjutant general from
time TO time for the information of the
rangers. Like to see 1t 2"
The scribe said he would, and Mr..
Glllett produced a %pondeTous roll of
closely written foolscap containing the
names aud descriptions of fully 5000
criminals whom the state was DESTROYS
to renew acquaintance.
but times ale changed now,o said
MIR. Gillett in conclusion; s'the rail.
roads are cutting the country up in all
directions, the Indians are dead or
rounded up, the scout Is a thing OF the
past, and in the neal future even the
ranger may follow. There will soon be
no frontier, and the frontiersman will
be a relic of the past. We can't put
the breaks IN the wheels OF progress.
Perhaps it is as well that it is No."