The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1885-05-22
THE TEXAS RANGERS.
HOW THE LONE STAR STATE KEEP
PEACE ON THE BORDER
An Efficient Corps of SoIdier-Sheriha-
Bow the Present Organization Of
Rangers was Efected-The
Strength of the Force.
lei PasO Cor. Globe-Democrat.l

IL was on III Paso street, III ii FaSo,
Texas, that remarked to a friend that I
desired 70 know how the state of Texas,
that Lone Star state of lone things and
wild romance, came to possess an armed
force of state troops ever in the reid He
replied: Il know but little of it. but there
is man who can tell you ALL and he
pointed to a young fellow standing near
the door of the large butcher store of
Mundy Bros, on FL Passo street Who
Why, he is j. 3. Gillett, now our assist
ant marshal, but once one of the best
rangers in the frontier battalion that ever
put spur to a horse or made horse thief's
heart go right down in his Doors. I'll in
troduce you
When, after being introduced 1 stated
the desire l had to know all about the
rangers, in the interest of The Globe
Democrat, Mr.. Gillett said:
10 tell all about the Texan rangers
worth telling would fill a good-siZed vol
umn, 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 struggle with
savage and semi-savage foe and the
state had from time to time since the
war to raise troops to stand off the
Indians and help the authorities in up
holding the law. 1t was in 1874, however,
when Governor Richard Coke was in of
fee, that the present organi. alton Of
rangers was effected. The legislature ap-
propriated $500, 900 to protect the border
counties, and suitable police. under the
control of the state and Adjutant General
Steele, was Immediately formed
1t consisted then of six companies of
seVenty-five men each. Each company
was commanded by captain, two lieu
tenants, three sergeants and four corpor-
ais 1t was soon found that the appro-
priation would not be sufficient to support
this establishment, and reductions had to
be made from time to time, so that at
present che companies are only twenty five
strong, and have but one captain, one lieu
tenant, one sergeant and two corporals
each.
what would be about the present
strength of the force?"
About 100 men, which is ample just
now. In 1882, continued the marshal,
Congressman Epson introduced a bill,
Whic' passed both houses and was APP
proved by the president, refunding to the
state 81 900. 600 expended for frontier de-
Tense, but the money has not yet been re-
ceived by the state
What is the present pay of a ranger?"
@Well, captain gets 800 month,
rations and allowance for two horses; q
lieutenant SO, same rations and allow
ance for two horses; q sergeant $50, rar
tions and allowances for one horse; q cor
poral $35, rations and allowance for one
horse, and a private $50, ard allowance the
same as corporal. Priyasas used to re-
ceive $40 a month when the battalion was
first organized.
what does the allowance for horse
amount t, 2"
"A little over $11 q month The men
provide their own horses and arms, but
the state furnishes all the ammunition
they require.
"Are the men all Texans?"
mo, the rule is the reverse They are
from every state in the Union, and many
Of them are young fellows most respect
ably connected. Very few of the old hands
except officers are now in the service.
Capt. L. p. SEEKER is the veteran of the
battalion. He Joined in May, 1874, and
has served without losing a day ever
since. He is now captain of company D,
which he entered as a private. This com
pany killed more Indians and rustlers
than any other in the service.
What are the usual duties of a
ranngerf"
der at the same time. In the one capac-
ity he performs the duties of a deputy
sheriff and is in addition empowered to
arrest without warrant all fugitives from
Justice in the state A list of these fugi-
tives is furnished from the Office of the
adjutant general from time to time for
the informe ton of the rangers. Like to
see it?"
The scribe said he would, and Mr.. Gil
lett produced ponderous roll of closely
written foolscap containing the names and
descriptions of fully 5000 criminals whom
the state was desirous to renew aequaint-
ance.
"But times are changed now, said Mr..
Gillett in conclusion; "th railroads are
cutting the country up in all directions,
the Indians are dead or rounded up, the
scout is thing of the past. and In the
near future evfn the ranger may follow.
There will soon be no frontier, and the
frontiersman will be a relic OF the past.
We csn't put the breaks on the wheels of
progress Perhaps it is as well that it is