The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-03-18
RANGERS PATROL BORDER.
FIFTEEN PEACE OFFICERS TO
COVER 500 MILES.
Gov. Colquitt Orders Entire Force
Out To Protect Citizens From Cat
tic Thicves--Prcvent International
Complications.

Austin. Texas. March 15.-The en-
tire force OF Texas Rangers, totaling
at present 15 mounted men was as
signed to duty on the 500 miles of
Mexican border today with the ar
rival OF two rangers at Raymonds-
Vile. Texas, in response to an appeal
from SO persons there. for protection
against cattle thieves and marauders
Along with news of the rangers
disposition, Gov. o. Il. Colquitt made
public lengthy list OF the Texas bor-
der troubles on which his appeals for
more power to protect the boundary
have been based and which explains
the nature OF the rangers activities.
These incidents show the rangers
as peace officers. not as an armed
power which might cause the United
states government embarrassment.
Many OF these incidents are compare
lively petty crimes. not included with
in the scope OF neutrality laws and
outside the police paths of United
States troops on border patrol duty.
The records indicate that the rangers
sometimes stop crimes before 1t has
proceeded To the stage Of international
complications.
The timely arrest OF a cattle or a
horse thief before he has had time
TO escape into Mexico has warded Off
more serious consequences, such as
the killing OF Clemente vergara. the
American, which grew out of horse
stealing. The records also indicate
that while many OF the lawbreakers
have come across the international
line In raids from Mexico. some mis-
chief makers have been residents OF
American territory In sections where
the Mexican population is large and
have used Mexico as refuge.
One source OF extreme vexation has
been inability during the past three
years to secure extradition Of any Of
these marauders. whether originally
from Texas or Mexico. Gov. Colquitt
today estimated that in this period
there have been 200 to 800 sue cases
In which the State has made some
sort OF attempt to get the accused
back to Texas without success in a
single instance.
The safe refuge offered in Mexico
has tended again to develop the old
time Western bad man along the bor-
DIR.
The sending Of rangers to Ray
mondsville was based on "a petition as
serting that "for the past few months
cattle thieves have been depredating
and several murders have been COM
mitted." With this petition. another
signed by IS persons and making the
same charges. was made public to-
night from Texastian, Texas. Ranger
Capt ]. X. Hughes. who brought these
petitions to Austin three days ago
after personal investigation, said
that an American named Rowell had
Deem killed and that several Mexicans,
names unknown. were also slain the
Killings were alleged to have grown
out OF depredations by persons who
took refuge In Mexico and that the
petitioners believe more police pro-
lection would allay the trouble. Ray
mondsville and Sebastian are in the
Brownsville section. near I.yford.
Texas. where rangers were sent March
In response to an appeal signed by
~ persons. Each petition made the
charge OF several killings and each is
believed to cover the same incidents.