Beyond the Badge: The Work and Records of the Texas Rangers
In This Exhibit: Collections of Interest | Legal Authority | Family Ties | Supply and Demand | What's in a Name? | Work Detail | Reading About Rangers | HOME
Legal Authority
Documents containing general orders and legislation show how the rangers evolved over the years from loose bands of volunteers into a more formal military structure. The Texas Secretary of State kept records that shed light on the acts establishing the various forces of rangers and help answer the common questions about how the Texas Rangers were created and where to find laws about them.
General Order No.3, August 3, 1870. Adjutant General Department, Ranger Records, Frontier Forces Correspondence, 401_1156_15_01aac. Click or tap on image to view larger version.
General Order No.3, August 3, 1870. Adjutant General Department, Ranger Records, Frontier Forces Correspondence, 401_1156_15_01bac. Click or tap on image to view larger version.
This act authorized the governor of Texas to establish 20 companies of Texas Rangers for the “protection of the northern and western frontier.” These companies became known as the Frontier Forces. The act specified the number of men, officers, pay, terms of service, and deployment of forces to the frontier.
Joint Committee of the Senate and House to investigate charges against the State Ranger Force, proceedings, January 31, 1919. Harbert Davenport Collection, 2-23/199. Click or tap on image to view larger version.
Excerpt of a copy from the proceedings of the Legislative inquiry of the Texas Rangers, also referred to as the “Canales Investigation” after state representative José T. Canales of Brownsville, who launched a review of the conduct of the Texas Rangers during the border wars.
Ranger laws, undated. Printed matter, Ranger Force records, Texas Adjutant General's Department Ranger records, 401-1184. Page 1, Page 2, Page 84, and Page 89. Click or tap on links and images to view larger versions.
Excerpt of a typed volume of laws which relate to governing the Texas Rangers.
Fountain pen, 1908. Artifacts collection, ATF0344. Click or tap on image to view larger version.
Pen used by President Theodore Roosevelt when he signed the Act of Congress granting pensions to Texas Rangers of 1855-1860. Date of the signature: May 30, 1908.
House Bill 52, 27th Legislature, Regular Session, March 29, 1901. Texas Secretary of State legislative bills and resolutions filed (General and Special Laws), Volume 2-13/40. Page 1, Page 2, and Page 3. Click or tap on links and images to view larger versions.
Signed law “Relating to providing for the organization of a 'Ranger Force' for the protection of the frontier of marauding and thieving parties, and for the suppression of lawlessness and crime throughout the State."
Senate Bill 28, 35th Legislature, 1st Called Session, May 25, 1917. Texas Secretary of State legislative bills and resolutions filed (General and Special Laws), Volume 2-13/61. Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, and Page 4. Click or tap on links and images to view larger version.
Signed law "Relating to providing for the organization of a State Ranger force for the protection of the Texas border, etc."