El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1917-03-22

= JNE 80 OF This year VIII be the Sotn
anniversary OF the killing Of Capt
Frank Jones. Of the Texas rangers
In the spring OF 1892 Capt. Frank
Jones who was in command OF the
company OF rangers stationed at
Yslets- discovered that people living
on the Island were rustling cattle
along the border from San Elizario TO
Sierra Blanca and he went 70 work 20
discover the identity OF the rustlers.
Finally he tracked them 10 the
Island" and found that the Oiguln
brothers were the leaders OF the gang.
Then Capt. Jones laid his plans 20 cap
ture the O1giuns. who made their head
quarters at house on the Island"
The Island" comprises about II, 0Go
acres OF land lying between the old
river bed and the present channel OF
the Rio Grande, ana as the interna-
tio1al boundary commission made the
old dry river bed the boundary line,
the Island" Ia IN the United States
About half 2 mile across the line in
Mexico, opposite the Island" is a small
Mexican Settlement-Tres Jacals-so
named because the original settlement
consisted OF three small adobe houses.
Make Raid on "IsIand-7
1t o'clock in the morning on June
80, 1882. Capt Frank Jones, accom-
panied by four Of his men. Sergt Carl
kirchner. Ed Bryant, Ed Eten and Tom
Tucker. left Ysleta for the 'Tsland"
accompanied by one Of the Lujan boys,
who was - show the rangers the
house in which the Olguins made head
quarters The rangers rode direct 10
the house, quietly surrounded il and
then closed IN to find only the women
At home.
After eating breakfast. Capt. Jones
led his men up the river. As they
III inc al
can riders came around bend in the
road ahead At sight OF the rangers,
the Nexicans wheeled their horses and
started on their back track at full
speed
Capt. Jones called OF the men to
halt. but they paid no attention TO the
order, and being confident he wouio
ride big game down, the ranger cap
tain instructed his men not to shoot
Rangers Get Into Mexico.
Before the rangers knew 10 they
had crossed into Mexico and were
dashing into Tres Jacals. where the
two men lesped from their horses and
darted behind the house. Instantly a
rain Of bullets pound into the rangers
from men concealed In the houses, and
capt Jones, who was in the lead. was
unseated by = bullet which shattered
his left knee. Capt. Jones fell on his
face, but quickly pulled his broken
leg from under him and drawing his
rifle threw IL to his shoulder shout
=
Captain Is Shot Down.
Just then another bullet struck the
captain in the center of his chest up
near the collar bone. and as he fell
forward. he called to his men. Get out
OF this boys. I'm killed"
The four rangers Withdrew to their
horses and rode for their lines to the
American side.
they could shoot only at the windows
and walls OF the buildings. but when
they turned from the storm OF bullets.
20 escape. MeXicans swarmed out OF
the houses. shooting as they came and
followed the rangers to the boundary
line.
Sergeant Kirchner went to Clint and
telegraphed sheriff Frank Simmons,
who al once summoned = posse and
loading men and horses on a special
train hurried to the assistance Of the
rangers. Among those IN the posse. as
remember. were win Davis. PeytOn
RayuOr, the writer and half a dozen
others At san EliZariO they were
Joined by O. !. Larrazolo. then district
attorney. and major TeeL
Eager TO Recover Body.
The rangers did not know for GER
tain that their captain was dead. Il
was just possible they thought that
he might be badly wounded and in the
aid, 50 they wanted to 20 right across (
the line. fight their way TO Tres
Jacals. and recover Capt Jones dead !
or alive. The posse was IN the same
temper.
But sheriff Simmons. knowing the
men would ride into an ambush and ,
be slaughtered. without ever getting = I
shot at their assallants. ordered the /
members Of the posse 10 remain on the 4
side while he and Larrazola !
rode over TO Tres Jacals under 4 flag
OF truce and demanded the surrender /
OF JOnes's body.
II was hazardous undertaking, for I
the outlaws were not inclined 10 re-
spect q flag OF truce as Mai Teel
had already tried one On them and I
been warned 10 clean out But with a :
white handkerchief in view. Simmons |
and Larrazola made the trip and re- /
turned TO report that Capt Jones was
dead, but that the Mexicans would not I