TEXAS RANGER ....  "A reporter did a human-interest piece on the Texas Rangers. The reporter recognized the Model 1911 the Ranger was carrying and asked him 'Why do you carry a 45?' The Ranger responded, 'Because they don't make a 46.'"

 

William Lee (Will) Wright, famed captain of the Texas Rangers and sheriff of Wilson County, son of L. B. Wright and Ann Tumlinson, was born in Lockhart, Texas, on February 19, 1868. after 1935. 

 

Four rangers-the "Big Four"-had an enormous impact on this change: M. T. (Lone Wolf) Gonzaullas, F. A. (Frank) Hamer, Thomas R. Hickman, and Wright. Wright's belief that there should be less political interference and patronage in ranger affairs became one of the axioms of the new order. A talkative, bespectacled man who resembled Theodore Roosevelt, Wright took part in ranger operations in an intermittent way for nearly four decades. 

 

In his early life he became a cowboy on the Eckhardt Ranch in DeWitt County and the Rutledge Ranch in Karnes County. He served as a justice of the peace and in 1892 as a deputy sheriff of Wilson County. Then in 1898 Wright joined the Texas Rangers and ultimately became part of the company commanded by John M. Rogers. In 1902 he left the rangers and was elected sheriff of Wilson County. He was later elected president of the Texas Sheriffs' Association. He served in this post for fifteen years. 

 

In 1917 Governor William P. Hobby appointed Wright a ranger captain. He served in this capacity, except for a period of time between 1925 and 1927, until the end of the administration of Governor Ross S. Sterling in the early 1930s. Wright, called el capitán diablo (the devil captain), and the rangers under his command guarded the border during World War I, intervened in the railroad strikes of 1922, chased liquor smugglers, and brought law and order to such oil boom towns as Wink. 

 

Wright rejoined the rangers in 1935, served during the era of the Department of Public Safety, and left the service in 1939. So many relatives of Wright joined the Texas Rangers that they came be called, as one writer noted, "The Wright Family Rangers." Wright married Mary Ann (Molly) Brown in 1892; they had one daughter and six sons, two of whom were Texas Rangers. Milam H. Wright, a brother, also became a well-known ranger. Will Wright died on March 7, 1942, in Floresville.

 

BIBLIOGRAPHY: 

Ben H. Procter, Just One Riot: Episodes of Texas Rangers in the 20th Century (Austin: Eakin Press, 1991). William Warren Sterling, Trails and Trials of a Texas Ranger (Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1968). Walter Prescott Webb Papers, Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, University of Texas at Austin. Walter Prescott Webb, The Texas Rangers (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1935; rpt., Austin: University of Texas Press, 1982).

 

Text from the Texas Handbook Online.

 

Thanks to all who continue to research and send in these great historic photos.

 

Texas Ranger Captain William Lee Wright (left) on horseback with two other rangers in this great photo.

Historic moments in Wilson County
Wilson County News, November 14, 2018
Wilson County Historical Society
By Rev. H.G. Horton

Nath Davis, Old Ranger, born in Alabama May 4, 1840, died in Stockdale, Texas, October 22, 1913, aged 73 years, having been bed-ridden for two years suffering intensely from rheumatism; his rugged and honest soul finally at peace with God. His wife and neighbors nursed him faithfully and at the end, gently laid his body away in the Stockdale City Cemetery and covered the grave with flowers.

 

The following was written by Rev. H. G. Horton of Seguin about the life of his friend, Nathan Davis: "I first met Nath in 1858 on the Hondo, below the old stage road, when the bishop sent me out there to preach to the few settlers who had risked their lives to make cabin homes in that Indian country. Nath was a rough but big-souled cowboy, always armed for Indians. He had few if any educational advantages but he knew enough to let his neighbors' cattle alone and was brave enough to charge a band of red-skins when the lives of women and children were in peril. He was a deadly shot and taught me how to aim my dragoon pistol so as to at least frighten myself. My appointments were far apart and Indian country between. In leaving my old home father told me the Indians would scalp me; I had the down of youth on my cheek and did not want to die young, so Nath would go with me on my dangerous rides. He did not have much religion, did not pray loud and long, but what religion he did have was the right stuff. He has allayed a many quake in my soul by his keen and practiced eye convincing me that the Indian I saw was only a badly scared wolf. He rode and fought with Big Foot Wallace and Captain Henry. When the light of the moon came and the Indians with it, Nath was first on horseback with his trusty rifle swung to his side. In a terrible Indian fight at the entrance of Sabinal Canyon, about the beginning of the Confederate War, Nath was badly wounded, but recovered, carrying his scars to death. Nath did not build railroads and amass wealth and enrich the country, but when civilization and the people advanced into the west, and the Indians would check their coming, Nath Davis threw his rough body between the blood-thirsty red man and the imperiled women and children. In the latter years of his life he lived in Guadalupe and Wilson counties, and in my travels his home and hospitality were mine. At last, old age and infirmities got the best of him. Farewell Old Comrade!"

 

NOTE: In October of 1969, Mr. Charlie Davis erected a Confederate marker at the grave of his father, Mr. Nathan Davis. Nathan was a member of Co. I, 32nd Texas Cavalry, C.S.A. The marker was secured through the Wilson County Historical Survey Committee.

 

This article was taken from the Floresville Chronicle-Journal December 3, 1913, contributed by Shirley Grammer for the Historic Moments in Wilson County, Texas

*********************

 

COURTESY / Wilson County News

Wilson County Historian, Shirley Grammer wrote about Texas Ranger Wade Lorenz and the Dedication ceremony
-Wilson County News, 2016

 

Retired Texas Rangers, friends, and relatives gathered in the historic Stockdale City Cemetery on May 20, 2016 to honor and remember former Texas Ranger Wade Lorenz, by unveiling the Texas Ranger Cross at his gravesite.

 

Clay Lorenz of Seguin, grandson of the honored Ranger, spoke lovingly and affectionately about the grandfather he never knew. Wade Lorenz died in 1930 at the young age of 35. Clay exhibited photos of his grandfather and revealed information from articles he had read about his grandfather's service as a Ranger on the Texas-Mexico border. Clay inherited his grandfather's pistol and holster, which were also exhibited.

 

Other participants included former Wilson County Judge Marvin Quinney, who led in the pledge of allegiance; Keith Johanson offered a prayer, and Jerry Hogue of Floresville played "Amazing Grace" on his bugle. Commissioner Larry Wiley and County Judge Richard "Dickie" Jackson also attended. Rick Rutland and members of the Stockdale Masonic Lodge recognized Wade Lorenz as a former member of their Lodge. Former Texas Ranger Ray Martinez of New Braunfels spoke on behalf of the Former Texas Rangers Association and Foundation. The Ranger Cross was unveiled by Clay Lorenz and Betty Bird. Taps was played by Jerry Hogue. A cannon was fired three times by Mike Young and Patricia Jackson, and a rifle salute was carried out by Greg Gillespie and Michael Covington in memory of a Texas Ranger. Afterwards, everyone retired to Sylvia's Restaurant, where they were treated to lunch by Shirley and John Grammer.

 

The event was sponsored by the Grammers and Maurine Liles, members of the Wilson County Historical Society. Thanks go to Alene Quinney for serving her delicious cookies and blueberry bars.

 

A full life

 

Royal Wade Lorenz was born Feb. 10, 1896, in Stockdale to William Adam and Lenora Smith Lorenz, a very prominent family in that section of the county. Wade grew up in Stockdale and attended Stockdale schools. He was a young man of splendid character and was held in high esteem by those with whom he was acquainted.

 

Wade was serving as a deputy sheriff of Wilson County, employed by Sheriff W.L. Wright, and was also in the cattle-raising business when he voluntarily enlisted into Ranger service Dec. 21, 1917, as a private. He signed his papers before the Honorable E.D. Mayes, county judge of Wilson County. Wade was fully commissioned as a Texas Ranger Sept. 10, 1918, and was authorized as a Texas Ranger to serve anywhere in the state of Texas. The authorization was signed by James A. Harley, adjutant general of the state of Texas. Wade was 21 years of age and stood 5 feet, 9 inches in height. He was single at the time of enlistment. He was assigned to Company "K" under the command of Captain W.L. Wright. The Floresville Chronicle-Journal reported on Jan. 4, 1918, that the new Ranger Company left Wilson County for border duty. The paper reported that Captain Wright had been very busy getting things in shape for his new organization to do service on the Mexican border. On Dec. 28, the advance guard of his company left for Laredo, where they were to make headquarters. The paper stated: "It was an interesting sight as they passed through the streets of the city. There was a new wagon with the chuck box and all equipment, several head of splendid horses and mules and all the rangers mounted on fine steeds that seemed to catch the spirit of the men. They were raring to go." They were to arrive in Laredo New Year's Day. Following is a list of the men signed by Captain Wright for his company. They were all competent, experienced men, physically fit to give a splendid account of themselves: Dionicio Acosta, W.B. Butler, Marvin Butler, Tom Connally, S.S. Hutchinson, Rex Holloman, Wade Lorenz, G.C. Oliphant, T.N. Pullin, Paul Perkins, Sanders Peterson, Munroe Wells, and W.C. Wells.

 

Wade was involved in raids along the Rio Grande or Texas-Mexico border and served honorably in the Ranger Force. He was discharged March 12, 1919.

 

Wade married Bernice King Sept. 15, 1921, the daughter of W.H. and Onie Page King. Bernice was the granddaughter of Wilson County pioneers John Rhodes King and wife Ruth Eliza Wheeler King of Stockdale. Wade and Bernice had one son, R.W. Lorenz Jr., who married Pat McCloud. Pat Lorenz was one of Stockdale's great historians. R.W. Lorenz Jr. and Pat McCloud Lorenz had one son, Clay Lorenz, who graciously provided information and supported the application for the Memorial Cross for his grandfather's gravesite.

 

Wade went to work for the Gulf Refining Company in Stockdale and was also engaged in buying and selling oil leases. He was a member of the Stockdale Masonic Lodge. The Masonic symbol is etched into his gravestone.

 

On Feb. 12, 1930, Ranger Wade Lorenz was murdered. The people of Stockdale were devastated over the death of their Texas Ranger. His funeral was held at the residence of his parents. He was laid to rest in the Stockdale City Cemetery.

 (Thanks to Wilson County Historian Kevin Wagenfuehr)

 

(https://www.wilsoncountynews.com/articles/former-texas-ranger-receives-long-awaited-dedication/)

J. Marvin Hunter's Frontier Times Magazine, December, 1929  ..... THE FOLLOWING account of the Loss Valley Fight was related by Walter M. Robertson of Austin, Texas, who with his comrade, William W. Lewis, of Menard, were members of Maj. John B. Jones' escort detailed. from Co. D. Frontier Battalion. Beginning with the story of the Adobe Walls Fight which took place in June 1874, as related to Mr. Robertson by Jesse Cass and Tom Woolery, who took part in the fight. Cass and Woolery were buffalo hunters and personal friends of Mr. Robertson and both were Travis county men whom he often met and they talked of their experiences on the frontier.

 

During the summer of 1874 there were more buffalo killed by the buffalo hunters in the Staked Plains of Texas than any year before or after. A party of Apache Indians were seen by the hunters, presumably on their way from New Mexico to the Indian Territory. The Indians stopped and got some of the meat from the carcasses of buffalo killed by the hunters and proceeded on their way to the Indian Territory. Hundreds of carcasses were actually seen by the Rangers as they rode through the country. There were so many that the wolves and buzzards could not eat them and they were left to rot and dry up. When the party of Apaches reached the Territory they reported to their friends the terrible slaughter and waste taking place on the plains and the Indians, becoming enraged, banded together and started to Texas to punish the buffalo hunters. They were led by the Indian chiefs Quanah Parker, Comanche, and Lone Wolf, the Kiowa chief. The band was made up of Kiowas, Comanches and Apaches, numbering about one thousand men or more.

 

The Indians came upon the buffalo hunters, who numbered only about thirty-five men, near the Adobe Walls and the hunters retreated to that place for protection. They drew up their wagons, which were filled with meat and hides, forming a half circle. The mules and oxen were placed within the circle and the hunters who were equipped with long range, high powered buffalo guns, withdrew to the protection of the Adobe Walls, and as the Indians made one charge after another they were literally whipped to a frazzle by the small party of men and their powerful guns. It was an all day fight and the Indians soon found out that they could not dislodge the hunters for as they retreated the long range guns in the hands of the white men continued to pick them off long after they thought they were out of range. They gave up the fight and the band separated, Quanah Parker taking as many of his band of Comanches as would go with him back to the Indian Territory, and Lone Wolf taking the remainder of the band, about three hundred men, among them Kiowas, Comanches and Apaches, coming on down into Young County, where they met the Texas Rangers. The Rangers had received word that the Indians were in Texas on a raid and Major John B. Jones and his escort of about twenty-five men were about sixty miles from Captain Stephen's company on the morning of July 11, 1874. They made a forced march, traveling all that day and up until about ten o'clock that night to reach Capt. Stephens' company, which was camped on Salt Creek near the line of Young and Jack counties. On the morning of the 12th, at day-break, the scouts were started out of find the Indian trail.

 

Lieutenant Wilson of Stephens' company, with four men, two from Maj. Jones' escort, Walter M. Robertson and Ross James, and two men from Stephen's company. Traveling east for about four miles they found the Indian trail, which was very plain, showing that the band consisted of several hundred mounted men. Lieut. Wilson sent one of the men back to in form Maj. Jones and Capt. Stephens that the Indians were in force and to come at once and bring every available man. The detail remained where they were until Maj. Jones and Capt. Stephens arrived, in about an hour and a half. The entire party of only about thirty-seven men started out at once on the trail of the Indians, following it in to Loss Valley, where the fight took place. On the way the Rangers passed within sight of the monument erected by the U. S, Government in memory of the government wagon train and soldiers who were killed and burned by the Indians a few years before. Following on into the Valley the Rangers were ambushed by the Indians, who were hidden in the woods and behind the boulder.

 

The Indians charged the white men, who were on the prairie, and if it had not been for the cool-headedness of Maj. Jones and Capt. Stephens, who commanded the men to stay together and not to be separated, they would have probably, all been killed.

 

Capt. Stephens said to Maj. Jones, "Major we will have to get to cover somewhere or all be killed." The Indians having completely surrounded the white men, cutting them off from the creek and water, Maj. Jones replied that they would charge the Indians where they were thickest and get to the timber. The charge was successful, the Indians were routed and the Rangers got to cover, from which they fought the balance of the day.

 

It must be understood that Maj. Jones' escort was composed of men from each of the six Ranger Companies, seven men from each company. During the ambush at the beginning of the fight Lee Corn of Coldwell's Company, was badly wounded in the shoulder, his arm being nearly shot off. George Moore of Maltby's Company, was also severely wounded below the knee and remained a cripple the rest of his life.

 

Being cut off from water, after several hours of hard fighting in the hot July sun, two young men, Bailey and Porter, of Stephens' Company, undertook to get to the creek for water. Bailey was killed, but Porter escaped by abandoning his horse and getting into the creek bottom. In the meantime the Indians, becoming troublesome from the rear, Maj. Jones asked for volunteers to hold the Indians back from the rear, while the rest of the men fought them from the front. William W. Lewis, now of Menard, and Walter M. Robertson of Austin, volunteered to go about one hundred and fifty yards up on a ridge, which was bare with the exception of one oak tree about two feet in diameter. Maj. Jones went with them to see that they were in the right position to hold the Indians hack, and as he left them he said, "Boys stay here until they get you or until the fight is over." After the fight was over and the Indians had retired it was found that the tree behind which the two men had stood for five hours was literally riddled with bullets and the bark was all torn away on the side next to the enemy, while some of the smaller limbs were lying where they had fallen. It was near this tree that Robertson's horse was shot and killed.

 

Sometime after Robertson and Lewis had taken their position, during a lull in the fight Lieutenant Wilson came up to see how they were getting along. When he came up to where they were he was swearing at the Indians in a strenuous manner. He was carrying his hat in his hand and sat down behind the tree with the other two men, Lewis said, "Lieutenant you ought not to swear like that. Don't you know that you might be killed at any minute? Wilson who was fanning' with his hat said, "That is so boys," and became very quiet. Just about that time the Indians fired a volley cutting a good sized dead limb from the tree overhead. It descended with great force right on top of Wilson's bare head. He put his hand quickly to his head and bringing it away covered with blood he said, "By God, boys, I'm shot, sure as hell." He got up and went down the hill to where the other men were still thinking that he was shot until Dr. Nicholson told him better. During the evening John Holmes from Company D. and a man from Stephens' company were detailed to go to Jacksboro for relief. However, the relief did not arrive until the next morning. It was then too late, for the Indians had withdrawn during the night. Robertson and Lewis remained in their position on the ridge for about five hours, until night came and the Indians withdrew, After the Indians retired the Rangers prepared to leave the battleground. There were only two men killed and two seriously wounded during the fight. Billy Glass and Bailey mentioned before, were killed and George Moore and Lee Corn were wounded.. The Indians' loss was figured at about twenty-one dead and a number of men and horses wounded. Nine dead Indians were counted by the Rangers during the first part of the fight. Some years later Grooms Lee, who was in the fight, was with a party of surveyors who were laying out the route for the railroad which runs within a mile or a mile and a half of the Loss Valley battleground. They were, told by some cowboys that there were graves on the mountain where the fight took place.

 

When the party investigated they found eleven graves placed in a circle, presumably with their heads together and feet pointing outward to form a circle. Several other skeletons were found in crevices nearby where they had been covered with rocks. Counting the nine that were seen to fall and the fourteen discovered later made a total of twenty-one. During the ambush at the beginning of' the fight Robertson's horse had been shot from under him leaving him afoot. When the Rangers left the battle-ground his saddle was put on a captured Indian pony. Grass's body was strapped in the saddle and carried back to Loving's ranch, with Robertson walking and leading the horse. Glass was buried at Loving's ranch the next day, the Rangers taking boards from the smoke-house to make the coffin. The next day after the fight Maj. Jones and relief returned to the battleground and found Bailey's body. It was a terrible sight, he having been horribly mutilated, and he had been scalped. Fourteen or fifteen arrows were taken from his body. Lee Corn after he was shot, and a man from Coldwell's company named Wheeler, and Porter, had taken refuge in Loss Creek, where they were found by Maj. Jones and party. They were taken to Stewart's ranch and Dr. Nicholson of the escort attended them. Bailey's body was carried to Stewart's ranch and was buried near the grave of a young cowboy named Heath, who had been killed by Lone Wolf and his band the day before the Loss Valley fight. After burying Glass at Loving's ranch the thirteen or fourteen Rangers who had been left afoot by having their horses killed during the fight put their saddles in a wagon and were driven to Stewart's ranch by a man named Reed.

 

Lee Corn and George Moore were carried in the same wagon to Jacksboro and put in the Government hospital there.

 

While in Jacksboro the men in the escort who had lost their horses bought new mounts, but the men from Stephens' company returned to their camp on Salt Creek, where they got new horses. Walter M. Robertson who tells of his experiences during the Loss Valley fight was born in Austin, Texas, July 26, 1853, at the Old French Embassy. He is a member of an old Texas family, his father coming to Texas in 1837. His father, Dr. Joseph W. Robertson, was a member of the Congress of the Republic of Texas, during President Lamar's administration, was Surgeon of the U. S. Army post during the Mexican War of 1846, and took active part in the life of the Republic and State of Texas until his death. Major Jones, who commanded the Texas Frontier Battalion, composed of six companies of Texas Rangers with seventy-five men to each companty, was a cousin of Walter Robertson. In 1872 or 1873 the Indians became a serious menace to the settlers in their raids into Texas murdering and stealing during the light of the moon almost the year round. In 1873 Gov. Coke asked the Legislature to appropriate enough money to organize the Frontier Battalion to be used as a protection for the whites, stop the depredations and rid the frontier of the Indians. Up to that time the Indians had been making raids to within twenty-five or thirty miles of Austin, the state capital. When the Texas Frontier Battalion was organized in 1874, Major John B. Jones was made commander with the privilege of selecting the captains of each company, which he did.

 

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Standing, left to right—S. P. Elkins, Tishomingo, Oklahoma; H. E. Conn, Floresviile, Texas; W. W. Lewis, Menard, Texas; J. M. Harkey, San Saba, Texas. Sitting, left to right—J. L. Bomer, San Saba, Texas; Walter M. Robertson, Austin. Texas; Captain Dan W. Roberts, Austin, Texas; James B. Hawkins, Montana. Photo taken at Texas Ex-Rangers Reunion, San Saba, Texas, July 4, 1929.

 [From J. Marvin Hunter's Frontier Times Magazine, December, 1929]