Category Archives: Texas Rangers

“I done took it up.”

Posted on January 17, 2022 by Mustang

A look at straight-shooting Texas Ranger Captain Bill McDonald ___________ Introduction In order for stories to become popular, whether based on fact or smothered in myth, they have to reflect the society that takes stock in them.  Texas society has … Continue reading →

Posted in American Frontier, American Southwest, Civil War, Corruption, Feuds & Rivalries, History, Justice, Politicians, Society, Texas, Texas Rangers, U.S. Marshals | 8 Comments

God made man — but Texas made Texans

Posted on January 3, 2022 by Mustang

Introduction In 1820, Tejas (Texas) was a province of New Spain.  In that year, the population of Hispanics living in Texas was around 1,700 — mainly concentrated in San Antonio, but with a spattering of people also living in Nacogdoches … Continue reading →

Posted in American Frontier, American Indians, American Southwest, Antebellum Period, Civil War, History, Indian Territory, Indian War, Mexican Border War, Mexican Revolution, Missouri, New Spain, Outlaws, Pioneers, Society, Texas, Texas Rangers | 1 Comment

The Frontier Regiment

Posted on November 22, 2021 by Mustang

Background There was some interest in the United States for migrating to Texas in the mid-1830s — but not much, mostly because the fate of Texas and the people who lived there was uncertain.  But in 1850, with the issue of statehood out … Continue reading →

Posted in American Frontier, American Indians, American Southwest, Civil War, History, Indian War, Pioneers, Texas, Texas Rangers | 1 Comment

An Old Texas Fort

Posted on November 1, 2021 by Mustang

Age of Discovery Spain began its age of discovery and conquest with the voyage of Christopher Columbus in 1492.[1]  From that moment when Columbus accidentally stumbled into the American continent, Spanish explorers and conquistadors began building an empire so large that … Continue reading →

Posted in American Frontier, American Indians, American Southwest, Antebellum Period, British Colonies, Civil War, Colonial America, History, Indian Territory, Mexican American War, New France, New Spain, Pioneers, Revolution, Texas, Texas Rangers, Westward Expansion | 2 Comments

Jeff Davis Milton

Posted on September 27, 2021 by Mustang

His parents named him Jefferson Davis, which should tell us something about the politics of his father, John Milton.  John was a capable attorney, a wily politician, and a proud Floridian who, as Florida’s fifth governor, guided his state through … Continue reading →

Posted in American Frontier, American Southwest, Civil War, Gunfights and such, History, Old Florida, Outlaws, Texas, Texas Rangers, U.S. Marshals | 2 Comments

Consequences

Posted on July 12, 2021 by Mustang

A Texas Ranger could ride like a Mexican, track like an Indian, shoot like a Tennessean, and fight like a devil. McMullen County, formed in 1858 from Béxar, Atascosa, and Live Oak counties, sets around 74-miles south of San Antonio.  … Continue reading →

Posted in American Frontier, American Southwest, Feuds & Rivalries, Gunfights and such, History, Justice, Outlaws, Society, Texas, Texas Rangers | 2 Comments

A Tale of Southwest Texas

Posted on June 7, 2021 by Mustang

Texas was always — and remains today — a place best suited to Texans.  You can visit Texas, of course, and many people do enjoy a family holiday along San Antonio’s River Walk and visiting the Alamo (which looks nothing … Continue reading →

Posted in American Frontier, American Southwest, History, Indian Territory, Justice, Society, Texas, Texas Rangers | 2 Comments

Charles Edward Travis

Posted on December 7, 2020 by Mustang

I would be surprised if anyone in the United States hasn’t heard of William Barrett “Buck” Travis (1809-1836).  I find his story quite interesting, if short — and perhaps somewhat typical of Americans in the early to the late nineteenth … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Texas, Texas Rangers | 2 Comments

Ethnic Lawmen in Texas

Posted on November 16, 2020 by Mustang

Most Americans have a misperception about the old west lawmen.  I did too for many years.  It wasn’t our fault, though.  With scant exceptions[1], all liberal Hollywood ever presented to us in the cinema was white lawmen, wearing white hats, … Continue reading →

Posted in Society, Texas, Texas Rangers | 8 Comments

The U.S./Mexican Border

Posted on September 28, 2020 by Mustang

As U.S. law enforcement continues its struggle against Mexican smugglers and murderers, (popularly referred to as the drug cartels), it may be useful to note that this struggle has been going on since around the mid-1800s.  If practice makes perfect, … Continue reading →

Posted in American Southwest, Gunfights and such, Mexican American War, Mexican Border War, Texas Rangers | 5 Comments