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If you're ever near Waco Texas, the Texas Rangers Hall of Fame and Museum is a great place to stop, learn, and marvel about the history of the Rangers, the original lawmen who date back to 1836 when Texas was a republic.

Men had been assigned to range the wide lands of Texas ever since the Americans under Stephen Austin settled in the Mexican province of Tejas. At first they served as a defense against marauding Comanche Indians who thought the land belonged to them. But President Sam Houston formally established the Rangers as the military of the short-lived Texas Republic. Since that day the Texas Rangers have been considered the "Marines of Texas Law Enforcement" and do their level best to live up to the compliment and challenge this represents.

The Texas Rangers Museum will introduce you to tough men like Bob Crowder, whose definition of Ranger, went like this:

"An officer who is able to handle any situation without definite instructions from his commanding officer or higher authority. This ability must be proven before a man becomes a Ranger."

Bob Crowder also exemplified the most often lauded quality of the Texas Rangers when he responded solo to a prison riot, thus prompting the famous saying,

"One riot, one Ranger."

Certainly heroes have not been scarce in Texas, but the Rangers have singled out thirty who have given exemplary service to the Republic and State by giving them special honor with individual shrines at the Hall of Fame.

Men like "Jack" (John Coffee) Hays, from the Comanche fighting days through the Mexican War; Samuel H. Walker, who served under Hays with distinction, and is credited with helping Samuel Colt design the improved holster pistol that became known as the Walker Colt; steely-eyed John B. Armstrong who single-handedly went up against gunslinger John Wesley Hardin and three gang members, yet prevailed. All of these larger than life characters and more you can become acquainted with on your visit to the museum.

What would law enforcement be without weapons to enforce the law? The museum has a fine collection of weapons covering the entire lifespan of the organization. The history of Texas seems inextricably bound with Colt firearms and many fine Colts including the Texas Paterson of 1836 and Whitneyville Walker Colt of 1847 used by Rangers are to be found within the museum's collection.

It seems that when a Ranger retires the tradition has been established to display their badge and gun in the museum. The more recent guns that Rangers have donated to the collection include many Colt Government Model 45 Automatic pistols, apparently one of their favorites. Quite a number of the guns are professionally engraved, reflecting the tastes of Texas' premier lawmen, making a real feast for the eyes. The badges, of course, reflect the various times they were issued, usually a lone star surrounded by a circle and often made from a silver coin in years past, according to the displays.

(From George_Chabot's Full Review: Texas)

Tags: Texas, rangers

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