The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-01-13
SLEEPS ON HIS ARMS
Capt. Mcdonald, of the Texas
Rangers, a Fierce Man.
HAS FOUGHT MANY OUTLAWS
Nothing that Looks Human Can Bluff
omeer Made Famous by Texas Riot.
Has Been Pretty Well shot to
pieces Himself. But He's SIN ia
the Ring-Hus Killed His Man.

Capt William J. Mcdonald, who has
become famous through MAJ. Blocksom's
report on the Brownsville affair In which
he was characterized as so brave The
would not hesitate 20 charge - with
one bucket OF water" is the most noted
peace officer In the Southwest, says the
ST. Louis Post Dispatch He has been
commander of a company Of Texas
Rangers for nearly twenty years, and
during that period he has experienced
many thrilling encounters with desper-
ate men. Only few weeks ago he aud
three members Of his company were rid
ing along a road near Rio Grande City
when they were fired upon by Mexicans
in ambush.
Capt. Mcdonald and his men returned
the fire in the darkness, being guided
in their aim by the flashes Of the guns
of the attacking party. They killed four
Mexicans and wounded others. Capt.
Mcdonald has killed a number Of men
while in the performance Of his duty as
an officer of the law He is literally shot
to pieces but he is still as 1.-THE and
active as a boy. He is never unarmed.
Day and night he wears q big IS and
one of the latest improved automatic PTS
tolls. He sleeps with both these pistols
by his side. whether In d hotel in town
or "a camp IN some remote and danger
Gus locality Of the border region He
says that he never knows when he may
need them.
Practically all Of Capt. McDonalds life
has been spent upon the frontier He
trailcd Indians ana hunted buffalo upon
the plains Of Texas forty years ago He
has a record for coolness and bravery
that is almost unequaled.
Engaged In Pistol Duel.
Ten years ago Cap;. Mcdonald had o
pistol duel with Sheriff Joe Matthews, Of
Childress County. Tex. and two depu-
ties nc Qu1nah. He killed Sheriff Mat
thews and was himself wounded almost
10 death. The two men had trouble over
who Should have custody 81 "a prisoner
whom capt. Mcdonald had arrested lu
an adjoining county. Sheriff Matthews
and two deputies came % Quanah with
the avowCd intention Of killing Mcdonald.
The latter heard OF this threat ard was
prepared for trouble
Seven years ago john and George
Humphreys two white farmers who lived
in the Trans-Cedar country in the north
eastern part OF Texas. were lynched one
night by a party of unknown men. Gov.
Savers sent Can't. Mcdonald TO the scene
Of the crime with Instructions 10 discover,
If possible. the guilty parties and To arrest
them. Alone and unaided, Capt Nc
Donald arrested twelve Of the most des-
perate men Of that community and was
successful IN establishing the Euilt of
all of them. They were sentenced 10 long
terms Of Imprisonment
Il was through the individual efforts
IF Capt. Mcdonald that the notorious
Townsend lgud. which caused many
killings ia Colorado and Bastrop counties,
Tex, was broken up. on one occasion
when the members Of these opposing fac
tons. numbering more than IC0 men. were
drawn Up In fighting array a. Columbus,
Capt. Mcdonald walked up to them and
ordered them 10 deliver over their arms
20 him. The crowd demurred at arss.
and he had 20 knock one Of the more OBJ
streper0us DIRECTORS 90 his order down
with q gun. He searched every member
Of both factions and took al Of their guns
and knives away from them. At another
threatened outbreak Of these same feud-
!sts "a few months later, at Bsstrop. he
performed a similar service.
Hunted Down Robbers.
Capt Mcdonald has hunted down many
desperate robbers and smugglers along
the RIO Grande. lie was also stationed
In the Panhandle FOR several years. and
il was through his active work that part
Of the state got rid OF the bands of
cattle and horse thieves who formerly
made Il their rendezvous. lie had many
fights with these outlaws. lie left the
town OF Quanah one day on the trail
Of notorious criminal who was badly
wanted in different parts Of the state
for murder and robbery. lie followed
the outlaw for more than 500 miles.
stopping only an hour or two at Il
time 20 get "a little sleep and give his
horse its needed rest
lie finally overlook his man in what
was then known as no Mans Land"
which is now a part of Oklahoma He
found him in camp with four other
men. who also probably were outlaws,
but Capt. Mcdonald did not recognize
them. lie was after this particular
man, and he unhesitatingly dismounted
at the camp and walked to where the
men were sitting and told the fellow
that he was his prisoner. Capt. Nc
Donald says that he expected every
minute TO be shot before he sot away
from that remote camp. but he was
not molested, as he forced his prisoner
20 mount a horse and ride away with
him toward Texas.
Three or four years ago Capt. Nc
Donald had a fight with cattle thieves
To- De- Of
capped. and he followed them alone for
500 miles. finally rounding them up
near Norman, Okla, where he arrested
fhenn sin Gle arled and nIacnd HON in