The legendary Texas Rangers
The second oldest law enforcement organization in the U.S.
“A LARGE PROPORTION was unmarried. A few drank intoxicating liquors. Still, it was a company of sober and brave men. They knew their duty and they did it. While in town they made no braggadocio demonstration. They did not gallop through the streets, shoot, and yell. They were a specie of moral discipline. They did right because it was right.”
The Texas Rangers have been with us throughout Texas history offering protection and some
form of justice to the frontier. Along with a lot of myth and lore; Originally formed to provide
safety and protection to the foolish people who bought property in the Texas from Moses Austin;
it was his son, Stephen, who unofficially formed the Rangers in 1823, ‘to act as rangers for the
common defense. He paid for their services himself.
The Texas Ranger Myth There were Texas Rangers present at the fall of Goliad and at the massacre at the Alamo.
But they live forever in Texan hearts, and in the hearts of school kids across the Lone Star State.
And beyond. Their fame and legendary accomplishments eventually went national.
The media embraced them, and they captured the imagination of the country. As The Lone
Ranger spread their myth on radio then on television, the real-life Texas Rangers, were tracking
down and killing Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow…adding further to the legend.
Even the badge the Texas Rangers created and wore became famous as an icon for frontier
justice. The stoic emblem was originally made from an authentic Mexican silver cinco-pesos,
hammered by hand to remove the markings of the old coin.
Then the Lone Star shape is cut out and it’s made into the legendary Texas Ranger badge.
I found the gentleman in West Texas who makes them for the Texas Rangers to this day and had
this one below made to honor the launch of my novel, The HUNT for Frederick Douglass.
Looking on the backside of the badge you can still faintly see the old cinco-pesos
markings, proving it’s authentic. You can tell when things are authentic.
Like my book.
The HUNT for Frederick Douglass is authentic.
It is anchored in real historic events and dates; and captures the tenor and intensity of those
divided times. All seen from the perspective of a legendary gunslinging Texas Ranger.
Once you start reading, you embark on a ride through history that puts you there in the room
with Jeff Davis as they plan the attack on Ft. Sumter. Or with Lincoln and his ‘team of rivals’
cabinet as they struggle to prepare, and avoid a war, at the same time. The page-turning story
also includes over 23 authentic quotes from Frederick Douglass that will introduce the reader to
his profound wisdom and his relevant truths, so apropos for today’s times.
The HUNT for Frederick Douglass is the story of the heroic Texas Ranger, Thomas ‘Rip’
Gatlin, who as a young boy is sent out by Davey Crockett to scout on the final night before the
fall of the Alamo, missing the final battle. Rip then goes on to become a famous Texas Ranger,
who is assigned by Sam Houston to go up north and capture the more heroic and more famous
Frederick Douglass, in hopes of getting Lincoln to negotiate with the South and avoid a Civil
War. Their encounter is a history-challenging, life-changing event. An epic tale. A heroic myth.
A complimentary narrative that will add to both men’s legend.
So how true was the Texas Ranger myth? I am sure it was true in some cases, and not true in others.
But great myths, like great novels, serve an important purpose.
They inspire us. They set or represent goals we can aim for.
They make us want to be better as people. They demonstrate what being ‘better’ looks like.
And whereas we fall short all the time, they fell short as well.
But perhaps not nearly as often.
For they held themselves to a higher standard.
Thereby experiencing a lower rate of misses than most mortal men.
