The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-12-11
THE oLD-7IME TEXAS RANGER.
Only a Few OF the Old Type still Re-
manning.
Frederic Remington in Harper's Maya
zine.


manning
Frederic Remington in Harpers Maya
zine.
This type of the ranger is all but gone.
A few may yet be found in outlying
ranches. one Of the most celebrated re-
sides near San Acknowledgment Wal
lace" by name He says he doesn't mind
being called big Foot" because he is six
feet two in hight and is entitled to big
feet. His face is done off in a nest of
white hair and beard, and is patriarchal
in character. In 1886 he came out from
Virginia to take toll Of the MeXicans
for killing some relatives of his in the
Fannin massacre, and he considers that
he has squared his accounts; but they had
him on the debit side for while. Being
captured in the Meir expedition he walked
as a prisoner to the City of Mexico and
did some public work for that country
with ball and chain attachment for two
years. The prisoners overpowered the
guards and escaped on one occasion, but
We're overtaken by Mexican cavalry while
dying of thirst in a desert. Santa Anna
ordered their defamation" which meant
that every tenth man was shot, their lot
DelnR determined by Ine drawing OF d
black bean from an earthen pot contain
ing a certain proportion of white ones.
"Big Foot drew a white one. He was
also a member of Capt. Hayes company,
afterward a captain of rangers, and a
noted Indian fighter. Later he carried the
mails from San Antonio to
Ell Paso through bowling
it safely through-if safely can be called
lying thirteen days by water hole in
the desert waiting for a broken leg to
mend and living meanwhile on one prai-
RE wolf, which he managed to shoot. Wal
lace was a professional hunter, who
fought Indians and hated "greasers;" he
belongs to the past, and has been "out-
spanned" under civilization in which he
has no place and is to-day living in pow
erty.
The civil war left Texas under changed
conditions. That and the Mexican wars
had determined its boundaries, however,
and it rapidly filed up with new elements
of population Broken soldiers, outlaws,
poor immigrants living in bull wagons,
poured in. Gone to Texas" had a sinister
significance in the late COS. When the
railroad got to Abilene, Kan, the cowmen
of Texas found a market for their stock,
and began trailing their herds up through
the Indian country. Bands of outlaws or
ganized under the leadership of desper-
QOeS ike yves t1dIulH ana hlnR FISHER.
They rounded up cattle regardless of their
owners right, and resisted interference
with force. The poor man pointed to his
brand in the stolen herd and protested. He
was shot. The big owners were unable to
protect themselves from loss. The proper
ty right was established by the six
shooter, and honest men were forced to
the wall. In 1876 the property-holding class
went to the legislature, got 1t to apprOpri
of for w and the
ranger force was reorganized to carry the
law into the chaparral. At this time many
judges were in league with bandits; sher-
lifts were elected by the outlaws, and the
electors were cattle stealers.
The rangers were sworn to uphold the
laws of Texas and the United States.
They were deputy sheriffs, United States
marshals-in fact. were often vested with
any and every power, even to the extent
of ignoring disreputable sheriffs. At times
they were judge, jury and executioner,
when the difficulties demanded extremes.
When a band of outlaws was located, de-
tectives or spies were sent among them,
who openly joined the desperadoes, and
gathered evidence to put the rangers on
their trail. Then, in the wilderness, with
only the soaring buZzard or proving CO.
vote to look on, the ranger and the outlaw
met to fight with tigerish ferocity to the
death. Shot, and lying prone, they fired
ulAn ADt pdAsAth arm tDdiu tlO AOASEi idAat
the six-shooter, and Justice was satisfied
as their bullets sped The captains had
the selection Of their men, and the right
to dishonoraby discharge at will. Only
men of irreproachable character, who were
fine riders and dead-shots, were taken.
The spirit of adventure filled the ranks
with the most prominent young men in the
state. and to have been a ranger is a badge
Of distinction in Texas TO this day. The
display of anything but a perfect willing
ness TO die under any and all circumstan-
ces was fatal to a ranger and in course
of time they got the moral on the bad
man. Each one furnished his own horse
and arms, while the state gave him am
munition, grub" 81 a day, and extra ex-
penses. The enlistment was for twelve
months. A list of fugitive Texas criml
nails was placed In his hands. with which
he was expected to familiarize himself.
Then, in small parties, they packed the
bedding on their mule they hung the
handouts and leather thongs about his
neck, saddled their riding-ponies, and
threaded their way into the chaparral.
Nov Johnny" said Miss spriggins.
the schoomistress, as she poised the CAD
above the bad boys back for a moment.
Il want you TO remember that when
whip you, It Is not because / enjoy be-
slowing punishment on you. but because
honestly desire to do you good" "Huhy'
retorted Johnny Squanch, in the weary