The Elbert County tribune., 1914-04-24

On Friday, February 49, Vergara
was invited to cross the border into Mexico. init
nations having been made to him that he could
learn about his lost property. He went at the
invitation of federal troops.
He did not return, but for time there
little uneasiness about him. He knew the
country thereabouts and his friends thought he
could take care OF himself Finally. as the time
OF his absence grew longer investigation
started. first by Texas and then by the American
government Not much came of II except that
Mr.. Garrett, consul of Neuvo Laredo. reported
that he believed the American had been muir
dered.
Reports began to drift across to the United
States side of the river that man answering
the description of Vergara had been hang
ing by the neck the outskirts OF Hidalgo,
little Mexican town five miles from vergara's
ranch Later. Mexicans told that they knew
where Vergara's body had been bured-in the
old cemetery at Hidalgo.
No definite action having been taken to procure
the body in far either government was
concerned the friends of Vergara grew somewhat
'irritated. Gov. O. b. Colquitt OF Texas asked
the American state department for permission to
send company of his rangers the border
to make more rigid investigation.
Mr. Bryan notified Governor Colquitt that such
action could not be taken by stare-that 1t
strictly in the province of the federal govern
ment to undertake such deeds. And the federal
government did not undertake the matter.
On the morning of Sunday, March 8. at three
o'clock. the body of Clemente vergara was
Americans and placed on American soil. Consul
Garrett notified and went to the place where
he had been told the body lay. 1t there.
No one seems to- know who brought tho body
back from the Mexican cemetery. All Governor
ColQuitt would say
I'VE wanted vergara's body and have ~
All deny that the rangers recovered it-but no
offer a reliable reason for thinking others
did 1t. according to those who have watched the
incident closely.
This Incident has served to bring into the pub
lie eye what undoubtedly Is the most picturesque
body OF legalized fighting in this country.
The Texas Rangers have no counterpart In the
world Only forty in number, they equal to
almost any emergency that may arise when 1t
comes to putting 10 test real fighting qualities
The presence of solitary ranger upon scene
OF disorder and threatened lawlessness has in
innumerable instancec been sufficient to quickly
restore peace and uphold the dignity of tho law.
The ranger organization created about
forty years ago and was established primarily for
the purpose of frontier protection. But Texas no
longer has frontier The ragged edges OF civili-
zation which once existed along the Rio Grande
border and in the vast plains country of western
Texas have disappeared. And the conquest OF
this formerly turbulent region, infested with va
rious and divers bands OF outlaws, must be at
tributed largely to the exercise of unexcelled
the part OF the brave bands of men who have at
different times comprised the ranger organization
In the old days the rangers had the distinction
OF being the real gunhghting men Of the world
and this distinction still belongs to them. Their
methods of operation different todLy. how
ever. although the little army of men now in
the states service is just brave and expert
In the use of the rife and pistol as in the time
when their chief occupation fighting bands. OF
deprsdating Indians running down the bandits
of the borders
A movement started some months ago to
disband the rangers the ground that their
services are longer necessary and that they
are used chiefly to perform the duties that prop
erly belong to the peace officers of the different
count1es But the fact that they were the first
to be called upon when protection was demanded
fu connection with the Mexican misunderstanding
has probably, put an end to this movement for
all time Besides. Texans. as whole, have such
"a sentimental pride in the wonderful deeds OF
valor oY their rangers that 1t is doubtful II such