Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1907-12-03
CAPTAIN DECLARES
The RANGERS ARE
NOT CUT-THR0ATS
Wheeler Says TenderfOOt De-
ScriptionS of Arizona Force
Have Done Much to Produce
False Impression.

Among the visitors to the city yes
terday afternoon was Captain Harry
Wheeler, Of the Arizona Rangers, who
made a trip to Bisbee on matters of
official business. He returned to his
headquarters at Naco last evening,
says the Bisbee Review.
The captain stated that reports
from his men in the north are to the
effect that there is comparatively lit
tie breaking Of the law in that Sec
ton: that several cases of cattle rus
Ting have been reported by men work.
ing in the mountains of the south,
near the boundary line. Information
Of a somewhat definite character has
been obtained In regard to the law
breakers. and there is no doubt thai
a part of the force will be detailed on
the work.
In referring 10 articles written con-
corning the ranger force by various
magazine writers, some of which have
lately been reproduced locally, and
which, among other things. describe |
the appearance of the members OF the
company as being that OF careless
c~ut-throats." Captain Wheeler said;
Il can assure you that neither my
self nor my men appreciate any such
description. We use our best efforts
to uphold the laws Of the territory.
but | do not think a be accused or
staggering around with the air OF a
desperate. IL is unfortunately true
that in the course Of official duty 1t
has been found necessary by mem
bers of the company to kill outlaws.
but duties of this kind have always
been performed with the greatest re-
gret by the rangers. | ave not the
slightest hesitation in saying tina the
rangers are honorable officers. and do
resemble careless ~cut-throats' in
any particular
10 anyone acquainted with the men
composing the command of the ranger
captain. the absurdity of the descrip-
ton OF the magazine writer's IS APP
parent. but unfortunately these arti-
cles are read throughout the United
states. and help to keep Arizona
branded as being A typical home OF
the wild and woody
II can be said without fear of denial
that there is no more polished gentle
men anywhere than the captain him
self. and il would take a most vivid
Imagination 10 picture him as a care
less c~ut-thr0at."
Although his personality IS strik-
ing. his mode Of dress would never at
tract attention Tor any VIII 49,
STYLE" and there Is nOt a mar VINO
would hin he had a stakeholder on
his person, unless he knew he was an
officer.
Including the captain Of the rang
crs there arc nine men in the organ
ization who never touch liquor OF any
Kind. aud drunkenness Is a cause TOT
immediate dismissal.
The rangers never ~cungregate lh
the large cities OF the territory eN-
cent when absolutely necessary.
spending the greater part OF the
time riding the angcs rounding up
lost strayed or stolen cattle. or uac-
ing some criminal. u is true they are
a ABSOLUTELY fearless. and are marksmeh
Of high caiiber. which Wacts. accoun
for their being alive. But with u all'
they are 4 modest set 81 men VINO
say little. aud try to avoid the tender
foot" magazine writer. who insists ih
maIirning them. and hiackening the
name Of Arizona.
The DAYS OF the wild west arc
aone. and the territory now ranks
vrifh Inc foremost pf the union Win
her EDUCATIONAL facilities. churches
modern cities and pretty homes ~
tha CITY Of New fork horse Gers arc
sin in vogue hut in Arizona This an
fiousted mode Of transportation nas
given way 20 most maHferu eiee'ii-
SYSTEM