The San Francisco call., 1905-02-04
TEXAS RANGER
SEEKS BANDIT
Wheeler of From
tier Police Here Trailing
Desperate From the South
HAS A FAMOUS RECORD
Quick With His Revolver. He
Assists in the Capture
of Many Border Outlaws

Trailing desperate border character
from Mexico, back and forth through
Arizona and then into California has
been the difficult task allotted to Lieu
tenant Walter Hiram Wheeler of the
Texas Rangers, who is now in this city
looking UP the doings of one of the
gentry that have made life miserable
for peaceful folk on the frontier.
escaped to British Columbia or has
taken refuge in the Antipodes. Yes
terday afternoon he was closeted with
the British Consul, Courtenay Bennett,
for half an hour, determining what had
best be done to overtake the criminal.
Lieutenant Wheeler, who has been
the guest of the local Police Depart
ment for two days and will be for five
days to come, Is one of the most in
teresting characters of the land on the
edge of the United States Small in
stature, courteous and soft spoken, he
does not impress casual observer as
being the game, efficient officer that the
detective forces of several big Ameri-
can cities know him to be. But there
is courage and quick determination in
his face
Il am here simply on a little matter
OF business" modestly explained the
dISSI MY ueduQudTleTS are dI
Globe, Ariz., but of course l have to
cover large territory in ferreting out
border crimes, as you are perhaps
aware. The ranger Is everywhere. We
are summoned at moments notice to
report at q given place and it is a
matter of getting into the saddle and
away without much reference to per-
sonal comfort or individual opinion.
My business here is to capture man
ln ie, -
Gently through this country. / cannot
go into particulars about the case now,
but / may later
Detective Tom Gibson, who met
Wheeler and his colleagues of the
rangers when he was in Arizona on a
criminal case, speaks in the highest
terms of the rangers prowess. Wheeler
is not the sort to boast of his exploits.
but Gibson says the little, unsophisti-
Gated fellow from the cactus and sage
brush is one of the best pistol shots in
all the Southwestern Territories. 1t
was Wheeler with another ranger who
captured the famous Stiles gang of
train robbers and outlaws after hard
journey over the bleak mountains and
desert of rough country. The out
laws were completely routed and
brought to justice.
Wheeler was once in little Arizona
place. While walking down the main
street he saw a boy break desperately
through the door of the '.joint.' Shout
ing to the lad, he asked:
What is the matter over there?'
They're holding up the faro bank, -
replied the youth, as he sped for safety
Wheeler entered the saloon. Two
men had the crowd at the gambling
tables covered" Without a moments
hesitation he addressed the outlaw
nearest him.
Here! What are you doing? Throw
up your hands,"
The desperate swung his pistol to-
ward Wheeler, but before he could pull
the trigger the ranger shot him dead
The other highwayman escaped and the
bank" was saved
Ranger Wheeler has hope of finding
the criminal whom he has been seek
ing before he leaves for the Businesses
of the Sierra Madres or the dusty
plains of Texas and the Arizona coun-
try.