The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-01-02

ried the mail from San Antonio to Ell Paso
through a bowling wilderness, but always
brought it safely through--h safely can be
called lying thirteen days by water hole
in the desert. waiting for braken leg to
mend, and living meanwhile on one prai-
RE wolf which he managed TO shoot.
Wallace was a professional hunter, who
fought Indians and hated ''greasers." He
belongs to the past, and has been "out-
spanned" under a civilization In which he
erty.
The civil war left Texas under changed
conditions. That and the Mexican war
mad determined its boundaries, however,
and 1t rapidly filled up with new elements
or population. Broken soldiers, outlaws,
poor immigrants, living in bull wagons.
poured in. Gone to Texas" had SIMS
ter significance in the late sixties. When
the railroad got to Abilene, Kan, the COW
men of Texas found a market for their
STOCK, and began trailing their herds up
through the Indian country Bands OF
outlaws organized under the leadership
OF desperadoes like Yves Hardin and King
tisher. They rounded up cattle regard
less of their owners rights 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 property right was estab-
lished by the six-shooter, and honest men
were forced to the wall In 1876 the prop
erty-holding class went to the legislature,
got 1t to appropriate $780, 900 year for two
years. and the Ranger force was reorgan-
i@Vu " garry the law INTO tne cnapdfral.
At this time many judges were in league
with the bandits sheriffs were elected
by the outlaws, and the electors were cat
tie stealers
The Rangers were sworn to uphold the
laws of Texas and the United States
Ehey were deputy sheriffs, United States
marshals-in fact, were often vested with
any ana every power, even to the extent
Of ignoring disreputabe sheriffs. At
times they were judge, jury and execu-
liOner, when the difficulties demanded ex-
tremes, When band of outlaws was To-
Gated, detectives or spies were sent among
them, who openly Joined the desperadoes
ana gathered evidence to put the rangers
on their trail.
Then, in the wilderness, with only tho
look on, the Ranger and the outlaw met
70 hight with tigerish ferocity TO the DEATH
Shot, and lying prone, they fired until the
palsled arm could no longer raise the six
shooter, and justice was satisfied as their
bullets sped. The captains had the selec-
ton or their men and the right to dis
honorably discharge a will. Only men Of
irreproachable character who were fine
riders and dead shots, were taken. The
the most prominent young men in the state.
ana to have been a Ranger is a badge OF
distinction in Texas to this day
The display of anything but perfect
Willingness to die under any and all cir
cumstances was fatal to 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
ammunition. grub" 81 day and extra
expenses. The enlistment was for twelve
months. A list of fugitive Texas criminals
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 handeuffs
their riding ponies and threaded their way
into the chaparral.