, 1886-11-04
THE TEXAS RANGERS.
HOW THE LONE STAR STATE KEEP
PEACE ON THE BORDER.
An Efficient Corps of SoIdier-Sherifs-
How the Present Organization OF
Rangers was Efected-The
Strength OF the Force.
LEI Paso Cor. Globe.Democratl ]

II was On FL Paso street, in El Paso
Texas, that remarked TO friend that
desired to 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 field. He
replied: Il know but little of it, but there
is q man who can tell You all, and lie
pointed TO q young fellow standing near
the door of the large butcher store of
Mundy Bros, on Ell Passo street who
is hef" inquired. why, who is he?
Why, he is J. b. Gillett, now our assist
ant marshal. but once one of the best
rangers in the frontier battalion that ever
put spur to horse or made horse thief's
heart go right down in his Doors. I'll in
trOduce you.
When. after being introduced. I stated
the desire had to know sll about the
rangers, i'll the interest of The Globe
Democrat, Mr. Gillett said
ITO tell all about the Texan rangers
worth telling would fill 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 foes, and the
state had from time to lime 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
flee. that the present organization 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 the 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 force2"
About $50 men, which is ample lust
now. In 1882" continued the marshal,
congressman Upson introduced bill,
which passed both house, and was ap-
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 ranger2"
wen, captain gets 800 month,
rations and allowance for two horses; a
lieutenant $75, same rations and allow
ance for two horses; a sergeant $50, ra-
TONS and allowance for one horse; cor
poral $50, rationS and allowance for one
horse. and a private $50, and allowance the
same as corporal Privates used to re-
ceive $40 month when the battalion was
first organized.
What does the allowance for horse
amount to?"
A little over $11 month. The men
provide their own horses and arms. but
the state furnishes all the ammunition
they require. !"
Are the men all Texans?"
No. 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.. Z. SEEKER is the veteran of the
battalion. He joined in May, 1874, and
has served without losing a day ever
since: lie is now captain of company D,
which he entered as private. This com
pany killed more Indians and rustlers
than any other in the service
What are the usual duties of
ranger?"
He is state police officer and SOL.
aler at The same time. In the one capac.
lty 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-
uVeS Is furnished from the Office of the
adJutant general from time to time for
the Information of the rangers. Like to
see it?"
The scribe said he would, and Mr.. Gil
lett produced ponderous roll of closely
written foo!scap containing the names and
descriptions of fully 1000 criminals whom
the state was desirous to renew aequaint-
ance.
But tipes are changed now" said Mr..
Glllett IN conclusion; the railroads are
cutting The country up in all directions,
the lnliiais are dead or rounded up, the
scout is thing of the past and in the
near future even the ranger may follow.
There will soon lie no frontier, and the
frontlcrsnan will be q relic of the past
We cant put The breaks on tie wheels of
progress Perhaps it is as well that it is