The Rangers went to Goliad.

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The Goliad Texas Ranger history and display presentation was a very huge success. It was estimated approximately 450-500 individuals plus the local Ranger Tony DeLuna was also in attendance. Thanks to the Goliad County Historical Commission everything went without a hitch. A dvd entitled “A Pictorial History of the Texas Rangers” produced by the FBTRE.ORG was played during the reception and then a power point presentation was provided on the history of the Texas Rangers from 1823-2011. During the reception individuals who attended also viewed a large display of pistols, Winchester and Remington rifles, handcuffs, leg irons from the 1870’s and 80’s, a large badge display, Mexican Revolution items, Texas Rangers personal service items, photographs, and a selection of books.

We appreciate Texas Ranger Tony Deluna of Company “D” Sinton, Texas and his family for taking the time to attend and participate in the event.

One of the highlights was when a local citizen brought a hat with documentation showing that the hat was worn by Texas Ranger Frank Hamer. The hat has seen its better days but was very interesting to know the history of the item.

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The Frontier Battalion Texas Ranger Exhibit to be in Goliad, Texas.

The Frontier Battalion Texas Ranger Exhibit organization has been invited to present a program on July 9, 2011 by the Goliad County Historical Commission. Representatives of the FBTRE will attend dressed in period dress of the Frontier Battalion Rangers (1874-1901) and will have on display numerous items representing the Texas Rangers. Some of the items to be displayed will be a large badge collection, pistols and holsters, rifles, knives, leg irons, handcuffs, posters, and many photographs. Included will be a few items of the Mexican Revolution and Texas Ranger personal items. Along with the display the Ranger representatives will talk about the Texas Rangers during the Battalion period and about a couple of Ranger incidents that occurred around the Goliad area. We would like to invite anyone interested in attending the program to please do so.

The Hanging Tree North Courthouse Street in Goliad.

There are many stories in the old west about hanging trees. This is one of the few that is authentic. The Hanging Tree is on the north lawn of the Goliad County Courthouse with many sturdy, low branches. Between 1846 and 1870 criminals convicted of capital crimes inside the courthouse were immediately brought outside and their death sentence carried out at the end of a rope. It isn’t known how many people lost their lives here, but most estimates are between the dozens and the low hundreds. The practice was halted by the Texas Rangers. Oak trees are an essential part of the town of Goliad and are revered by the locals. In fact, there are a number of trees that exist in the middle of the city streets and traffic has to maneuver around them. Some are marked with low clearance signs because of their branches, but it is very easy for someone in a van or truck, or even a tall pedestrian, to get crowned by one of these twisted branches.

A plaque nearby reads:

“The Hanging Tree Site for court sessions at various times from 1846 to 1870. Capital sentences called for by the courts were carried out immediately, by means of a rope and a convenient limb. Hangings not called for by regular courts occurred here during the 1857 ‘Cart War’ – A series of attacks made by Texas freighters against Mexican drivers along the Indianola – Goliad – San Antonio road. About 70 men were killed, some of them on this tree, before the war was halted by Texas Rangers. (1864)”

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The Texas Ranger Association Foundation had its annual reunion this past June 17th & 18th 2011 in which there were about 600 in attendance. Also in attendance were representatives from the Frontier Battalion Organization. Texas Rangers both active and retired with invited guests were in attendance. Also in attendance was Senator John Cornyn from Texas who was the guest speaker for the association and foundation. The individuals in attendance were treated to a great dinner and were able to bid in a silent auction. The money generated by the association foundation will go into a scholarship fund to help young students who are either planning on going to a university or are already enrolled. It was a great time to visit with our old Ranger friends and with friends from the Ranger Association Foundation as well as the Waco Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum.

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A memorial for Benjamin Highsmith at the Jones Cemetery
Utopia, Texas.

Benjamin F. Highsmith born September 11, 1817, died November 20, 1905. Served in Army of Texas 1835 and 1836. Ranger under Captain John C. Hays. Was a member of Somerville Expidition in 1842. Born in Missouri. Elizabeth Turner Highsmith born March 22, 1836, died October 7, 1900. Wife of B. F. Highsmith, also born in Missouri.

A memorial dedication for Benjamin Franklin Highsmith and Elizabeth Turner Highsmith is May 21 at 10 a.m. at Jones Cemetery in Utopia. Friends and family are welcomed. The event is sponsored by Sons of the Republic of Texas, Daughters of the Republic of Texas, Alamo Defenders Descendants Association, San Jacinto Descendants Association and Former Texas Rangers Association.

Highsmith will be honored by the Texas Rangers by the placement of an iron cross with the Ranger circle and star near his grave.

A memorial dedication for Benjamin Franklin Highsmith and Elizabeth Turner Highsmith is May 21 at 10 a.m. at Jones Cemetery in Utopia. Friends and family are welcomed. The event is sponsored by Sons of the Republic of Texas, Daughters of the Republic of Texas, Alamo Defenders Descendants Association, San Jacinto Descendants Association and Former Texas Rangers Association.

The Frontier Battalion Texas Ranger Exhibit will be participating in the memorial in period dress representing the Rangers. The Frontier Battalion Rangers have been requested to be the ceremonies flag bearers.

Alamo courier and Texas Ranger, son of Ahijah M. and Deborah (Turner) Highsmith, was born in St. Charles District, Missouri Territory, on September 11, 1817. His father had been a scout and ranger during the War of 1812. Highsmith’s family traveled to Texas by wagon train and crossed the Sabine River by raft on December 24, 1823. They settled on the Colorado River near the site of present La Grange, Fayette County.

In 1830 Highsmith made his first trip to San Antonio de Béxar in a group of men that included William B. Travis, James Bowie, Benjamin McCulloch, Samuel Highsmith, George C. Kimbell, and Winslow Turner. At age fifteen he joined the company of Aylett C. Buckner and fought in the battle of Velasco on June 26, 1832. During that year Highsmith also settled in Bastrop, where he lived for the next fifty years. He took part in all of the major actions at the outset of the Texas Revolution: the fight for the Gonzales “Come and Take It” cannon, the battle of Concepción, the Grass Fight, and the siege of Bexar.

He remained in Bexar after the siege until February 18, 1836, when he was sent by Travis from the Alamo with an appeal for aid to Col. James W. Fannin, Jr., at Goliad. Upon his return to Bexar, Highsmith found the town already occupied by the Mexican army. He was spotted by the Mexican cavalry at Powder House Hill and pursued by them for some six miles. He rode to Gonzales and later served Gen. Sam Houston as a courier. He and David B. Kent, son of Alamo defender Andrew Kent, carried a message to Fannin from Houston ordering Fannin to abandon Goliad and join him at the Guadalupe River. Highsmith fought in the battle of San Jacinto as a member of Capt. William Ware’s company.

After the revolution, Highsmith had a long career with the Texas Rangers. He served in the Mexican War, fought in the battles of Monterrey and Palo Alto, and was wounded at Buena Vista. In 1853 he married Elizabeth Turner; they had thirteen children. In 1882 the family moved to Bandera County. Highsmith died in Uvalde County on November 20, 1905.

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The Former Texas Ranger Association based in Fredericksburg has annual meeting.

The Former Texas Ranger Association held its annual business meeting and bar-b-que this
May the 7th in Fredericksburg, Texas. There was a very nice turn out with retired Rangers and
wife’s, descendents of former Rangers, and many friends of the Texas Rangers. A lunch was
provided to all of those who attended. In attendance was former Texas Ranger Captain John Woods
who is the oldest living Texas Ranger. You can read about Captain Woods in our Rangers Remembered
section. The organization also had a drawing for many donated items helping the FTRA generate
funds as well as having ball caps, vests, jackets, and several other items on sale also.

Also the Old West Rangers a reenactment group presented a display showing Texas Ranger related items. The Old West Rangers headquarter in Houston, Texas. They currently are the official reenactment representatives for the Former Texas Rangers Association and their affiliate The Former Texas Rangers Foundation.

Captain Bob Bailey – Founder and President
(281) 787-9875
Bob.Bailey@OldWestTexasRangers.com

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More information click on museum icon and go to “welcome from Chief Whitman”

Rangers make changes and go back to six jurisdictions and drop company “G.”

…….Current Company Headquarter locations…….

Headquarters located in Austin, Texas. Company “A” located in Houston, Texas. Company “B” located in Garland, Texas. Company “C” located in Lubbock, Texas. Company “D” now located in Mc Allen, Texas. Company “E” now located in El Paso, Texas. Company “F” located in Waco, Texas and the Joint Operations Information Center being in Austin.

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Click on the Ranger Association Foundation icon for dates and times for the 2011 Annual Ranger Reunion.

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The first Hispanic to lead the Texas Rangers is retiring at the end of this month. 47-year-old Antonio “Tony” Leal is leaving to work in the private sector. He was appointed as Chief Texas Ranger in 2008.

Here’s the full news release from the Texas Rangers:

Texas Ranger Chief Antonio “Tony” Leal announced his retirement effective March 31. Leal was the youngest Ranger and first Hispanic to hold the Chief’s position. During his tenure, Leal was charged with overseeing the state’s most complex and major investigations, Border Security Operations, Public Corruption cases and Special Tactical resources, creating the Department’s first full-time SWAT team. Leal retires after 27 years of dedicated service to accept a job in the private sector, and he and his family look forward to returning to their home, family and friends in Houston The Director of the Texas Department of Public Safety, Steven C. McCraw, said, “Chief Leal was instrumental in bringing the highest degree of professionalism and leadership to the Ranger Division and he will be sorely missed by all members of the Department.” Governor Rick Perry congratulated Chief Leal on his distinguished career: “The Texas Rangers are a distinguished law enforcement group that have played an instrumental role in Texas’ history. Under Tony’s leadership, the Rangers have continued their vital duties and legendary service to the people of Texas, making public safety their top priority, defending our border and protecting our communities.” Chief Leal, 47, became a Highway Patrol trooper in 1984, stationed in Fort Bend County. While there, he received many letters and awards of recognition, led his area in criminal apprehensions and was awarded the Houston Area 100 Club Officer of the Year Award. He promoted to Highway Patrol Sergeant in 1991 and served in San Antonio. Leal was promoted to Texas Ranger in 1994 with Company A in Houston, and then Company D in San Antonio. During his time as a Ranger, Leal led many multi-agency task forces and major investigations that included serial killers, murder investigations and public corruption cases. In 2000, Leal was named one of the members of the new Unsolved Crimes Investigation Unit and successfully solved the unit’s first murder, involving a teenage girl whose case had gone cold after 11 years. In 2002, Leal promoted to lieutenant and then commander of the Ranger’s Cold Case Squad. In 2005, Leal promoted to Company Commander in Houston. In 2008, he promoted to the highest rank of the Rangers, Chief. Leal serves as a Director of the prestigious Texas Lyceum, Board Member of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Board Member of the Texas Ranger Foundation and is a member of many professional associations.

_________________________ Hank Whitman named as Assistant DPS Director
and Chief of the Texas Rangers.
(DPS RELEASE)

Hank Whitman has been named the DPS Assistant Director and Chief of Texas Rangers. Whitman had served briefly as interim chief of the Rangers and was the deputy assistant director for the Texas Rangers since Oct. 1, 2009. Before his position as deputy assistant director of the Rangers, he also served as the interim inspector general of the DPS.

“Hank Whitman has years of law enforcement experience and is uniquely qualified to lead the Texas Rangers, especially as our focus on the border intensifies. He has been instrumental in the creation and operation of the Ranger Reconnaissance team,” said Steve McCraw, director of the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Whitman joined the DPS in 1990 as a trooper trainee and served in the Texas Highway Patrol until 1996, when he promoted to sergeant/investigator in the Criminal Intelligence Service, now known as the Criminal Investigations Division. He was in the Criminal Intelligence Service until 2001, when he promoted to Texas Ranger sergeant. He was a sergeant until his promotion to Ranger lieutenant in 2005. He promoted to Ranger captain in 2008 and served as captain until his promotion to deputy assistant director in 2009.

“I’m humbled to have been selected to lead this outstanding group of men and women. I will continue to strive to maintain the tradition of the Texas Rangers, the oldest law enforcement entity on the North American continent,” Whitman said.

Whitman has a Bachelor of Science degree from Southwest Texas State University and a master’s degree in public administration from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.

The Texas Ranger Division includes 209 employees, including 150 Texas Rangers.

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Major Kirby Dendy takes on assignment as Deputy Assistant of the DPS and Assistant Chief
of the Texas Rangers.

Texas Ranger Major Kirby Dendy, who served as commander of Company “F” for more than 15 years, was promoted to Deputy Assistant Director of the Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Rangers Division. His position is that of second in command of the Texas Rangers. The Major also has the distinction of being the longest serving commissioned officer in Texas DPS.

As the commander of Company “F,” Major Dendy oversaw major criminal investigations in the Central Texas region, including State involvement in the Fort Hood shooting. Rangers conducted witness interviews and provided investigative assistance, helping ensure that witnesses were interviewed in a timely manner, as federal investigators were still arriving at the scene.

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MARCH 26,2011 Event

THE FRONTIER BATTALION TEXAS RANGER EXHIBIT joins with the Sabinal, Texas Lions Club
to provide a display representing the Texas Rangers from 1874 through current date.

The display will be available for the public to attend on March 26, 2011 at the Judge Roy Bean
Building located at the north end of the city park. The exhibit will be open from 10:00 am until
6:00 pm with all group members dressed in period dress of the 1880’s and 1890’s. Along with the Ranger Exhibit there will be a 1890’s Ranger chuck wagon present to provide samples of camp cooking.

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COWBOY CHRISTMAS at ENCHANTED SPRINGS RANCH
18 – 19 Dec 2010

EXPERIENCE THE CHRISTMAS SEASON “OLD WEST” STYLE:

10am – 5pm/Sat-Sun
General Admission:
Adults: $14 Military/Seniors:$12
Children (Ages 3-12): $7
Kids Under 3 Free
General Admission:
Adults: $14 Military/Seniors:$12
Children (Ages 3-12): $7
Kids Under 3 Free

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6th ANNUAL BOERNE WILD WEST DAY 23rd Oct. 2010, 10:00am – 5:00pm

The Frontier Battalion Texas Ranger Exhibit will be participating in the Boerne Wild West Days with a display of Texas Ranger
Frontier Battalion items as well as current Texas Ranger items. Weapons, photographs, leg irons, handcuffs, badges, and many more Ranger related items. Come by and visit us -- our display will be in our JUDGE ROY BEAN headquarter building. For all age levels.

Nineteen years of providing Texas Ranger living history approved by the Texas Rangers!

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“VISIT WITH ROBERT DUVALL AND HIS WIFE LUCIANDA”

There is a new movie in production staring Robert Duvall entitled “Seven Days In Utopia.” While working in the movie I had the opportunity to visit with Duvall 23 years after Lonesome Dove. During this time I presented Duvall with pencil drawings of his characters in Lonesome Dove, Broken Trail, Get Low, and others. Robert was kind enough to autograph several drawings and photographs. One special drawing was of him and his wife Luciana who is a super person and a special photograph of him in Lonesome Dove with Urich and Jones as Rangers Filming has taken place in Fredericksburg, Texas and in Utopia, Texas. Some of the drawings given to Duvall and his wife are shown below.

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“New Rank Structure for the Texas Rangers”

Changes to the Texas Ranger ranks mark a new era in their history. Previously the rank of “sergeant” replaced that of “private” for field Rangers. Recently an administrative decision was made to discard “Sergeant” and call field Rangers “Texas Rangers”-as they were for more than a century.

Effective July 1, 2010, all field Company Captains will now carry the rank of “Major/Company Commander.” This change brings the command structure of the Texas Rangers into line with that of the Texas Department of Public Safety as a whole. The five current ranks within the Texas Rangers now include Senior Captain/Assistant Director, Department of Public Safety (Chief), Captain, Major, Lieutenant and Ranger.

Historically, the rank of Major was conferred upon Maj. B.C. Walters, a Mounted Ranger commander in 1839, and the legendary Maj. John B Jones, commander of the Frontier Battalion from 1874-1879.*

Courtesy of the Waco Texas Ranger Museum

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Robert Duvall “Gus” of Lonesome Dove visits Waco Museum.

Courtesy of the Waco Texas Ranger Museum.

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Annual Texas Ranger Reunion on June 11th & 12th in Waco, Texas.

The Texas Ranger Association and Foundation’s 2010 Reunion took place on June 11th and 12th with a tremendous turnout. On the night of June 12th approximately 600 people attended the 6:30 afternoon dinner, auction, visitation, plus visiting with actor Todd Allen who was the main speaker for the occasion. There was a silent auction and a drawing for a saddle, 73 Winchester, Ranger boots, and a anniversary .45 cal. semiautomatic Thompson “Tommy Gun.” The Frontier Battalion group was able to visit with retired Rangers, active Rangers, and with actor Todd Allen.

During the reunion the Waco Ranger Museum and the City of Waco sponsored an open house for the
newly constructed Department of Public Safety Education Building and the new Company “F” Texas Ranger Headquarters Building. We had the opportunity to tour the hdq. building with Co. “F” Captain Kirby Dendy, Lt. Frank Malinak, and Sgt. Mark Leger. A beautiful building decorated “Ranger and Texas” style. During our visit we presented Capt. Dendy with pencil drawings of “Gus”, “Capt. Call”, and “Jake Spoon” all characters from the TV series Lonesome Dove. The drawings may be seen on our web page.

The Department of Public Safety building was also open for visitors and where the museum, city officials, and a representative of the DPS spoke to those attending the open house. During the program a pencil portrait of Capt. Bob Mitchell drawn by Jim Ryan was unveiled with Bob’s wife and family present. The portrait will be a permanent display item in the newly constructed DPS building. Bob Mitchell was a former Captain of Co. “F” and was a founding father of the Waco Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum.

As usual the annual Reunion was a great success because of the hard work put forth by the Texas Rangers, the Texas Ranger Association and Foundation, and the Waco Museum personnel.

We have included a number of photographs taken during the open house and the Ranger reunion and we want to thank the TRAF for the friendship and their support of the Waco Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum.

New buildings, Company “F” Captain’s desk, Texas Rangers Co. “F” emblem, Jim Ryan, Sgt. Mark Leger, and James Powell. james Powell and Jim Ryan Frontier Battalion Texas Rangers and the end photo of Jim Ryan presenting pencil drawings to Company “F” Captain Kirby W. Dendy .

Reunion photos

Actor Todd Allen and Jim

DPS open house Jim Ryan with Mrs. Mitchell, the Mitchell family, Jim Ryan and Sr. Captain Tony Leal, Jim Ryan, Executive Museum Diretor Byron Johnson, and Frontier Battalion Texas Rangers member James Powell. The last photo is of Joe Hinton, Chairman of the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame Board and Byron Johnson, Executive Director of The Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum.

Jim and James visit with John Aycock former Ranger Co. “F”

A visit with Theo Ratliff

Recently the Frontier Battalion assisted with the hosting for the San Antonio Spurs’ Season Ticket Holders’ annual “Appreciation Party” at Enchanted Springs Ranch. We were honored to provide our exhibit as a “Spurs Autograph” location. We had the pleasure to accompany the Spur’s reserve center “Theo Ratliff” while he met with fans for photographs and autograph signing. We met quite a few of the truly dedicated Spur’s fans, which filed patiently into our exhibit. We were even able to get a photograph ourselves with our distinguished visitor. Given the circumstances of our featured guest, “Theo” still took the time to browse through our exhibit. We appreciate his approving compliments. Thanks Theo, we appreciate having the opportunity to help out the fans also.

Exhibit Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

The Frontier Battalion Texas Rangers Historical Exhibit celebrated it’s Dedication and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony during Boerne’s 5th Annual Wild West Day on October the 24th at Enchanted Springs Ranch. Joining us on that historic occasion were Retired Texas Rangers Senior Captain Bruce Casteel and his wife Ruby, Senior Captain H.R. “Lefty” Block, and Sergeant Joe B. Davis, President of the Former Texas Rangers Foundation. We want to extend our deepest regards to those individuals for helping us make the event a great success.

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James B. Gillett (November 4, 1856 – June 11, 1937) was a lawman of the Old West, mostly well known due to his service as a Texas Ranger.

Born James Buchanan Gillett in Austin, Texas, Gillett was raised working as a cowboy on local ranches. He joined the Texas Rangers in 1875, in Menard, Texas. Gillett initially served under Captain D. W. Roberts with “Company D”, and later served with Captain N. O. Reynolds and Captain G. W. Baylor, whose daughter Helen would later marry Gillett. Mostly assigned to the West Texas border regions, Gillett found himself involved in numerous skirmishes with Kiowa, Apache, and Comanche Indians. He was involved in the July 21, 1878 killing of outlaw Sam Bass in Round Rock, Texas, when Bass was shot by Texas Ranger George Herold, and Gillett later took part in putting down both the Mason County War and the Horrell-Higgins feud.

He first came to notice when, in January, 1881, while under the command of Captain Baylor, his company pursued a hostile band of Apache which had attacked a stagecoach. The Rangers surprised the band, killing six of the Apache, scattering the rest of the band. Gillett also pursued outlaw Dick Dublin that same year, killing Dublin in a gunfight. His fights with Indians and several little known outlaws made him a legend in the Ranger organization. Gillett was known to wear a double Bridge Port Rig which gave Gillett the ability to draw his pistols either right or left handed a great deal faster than his adversary. There will be a Bridge Port Rig on Exhibit.

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The Former Texas Rangers Association and the Gillett family provided a memorial for James B. Gillett. The Former Texas Rangers Association provided a circle and star attached to an iron cross which is set near the headstone.

Descendants of Gillett’s family were present and provided stories about Gillett during his Ranger years. The Frontier Battalion Texas Rangers living history group James and Jim accompanied by their wives attended the memorial dressed in correct dress for the Battalion period of time.

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Jim Ryan donates a pencil drawing portrait of Ranger Captain Robert “Bob” Mitchell to the Waco Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum. Accepting the drawing is Amanda Bailey employee of the museum.

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Liz Ryan and Charlett Powell Attend Capt. James B. Gillett Memorial in Marfa, Texas. Descendants of Gillett were in attendance along with approximately 100 others. Read about Ranger J.B. Gillett in another section of our web-page.

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Texas Rangers attend a memorial for James Kiehl a fallen solder at Center Point, Texas. There are more Rangers buried at the Center Point Cemetery (32) than in any other location. If you are ever in CP make it a point to visit the famous cemetery. All the Rangers graves are marked with an iron cross provided by the Former Texas Ranger Association headquarted in Fredericksburg, Texas.

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