Texas Ranger John B. Jones and the Frontier Battalion, 1874-1881

8. Gallant and Untiring

119 GALLANT AND UNTIRING 8 LEAVING THE MASON COUNTY VIOLENCE behind him for the time being in November 1875, Jones began another inspection tour, arriving first at Foster’s Company E, which he found “in good condition and doing good service.” The people in the area credited the presence and vigilance of Lieutenant Best and his men for stopping Indian depredations against them.1 He next rode to Jack County and Lieutenant G. W. Stevens’ Company B.2 Here, as part of the retrenchment, Jones issued a special order accepting Stevens’ resignation, effective November 30, as Stevens cited a need to be home during the winter. Jones turned the temporary reins of the company over to First Sergeant C. H. Hamilton.3 Given that the company would remain small, Jones decided that it was not immediately essential to have a commissioned officer in command until the next spring. “In the meantime [I] wish to test the fitness of Sergt. Hamilton for the position.” On November 13, Jones and his escort started back down the line toward Mason.4 While Jones was en route, Dan Roberts received information that Scott Cooley had recently been in Menard, where he quickly had his horse shod and then immediately left town. Roberts was able to track him in the direction of Llano, but could not overtake him.5 However, the 120 TEXAS RANGER JOHN B. JONES AND THE FRONTIER BATTALION, 1874–1881 attention of the state was taken temporarily away from Mason County by the actions of Captain Leander McNelly and his Special Troops on the Rio Grande border. A party of Mexican cattle thieves had crossed the river, and then returned to Mexico with a stolen herd. In the early morning hours of November 19, 1875, with federal troops standing by on the Texas side, McNelly and thirty-one of his men crossed the river in pursuit, violating international law. His force attacked the wrong ranch, killing over a dozen men in the resulting battle. They then rode on to the town of Las Cuevas, but finding themselves outnumbered, retreated back to the river. The Mexicans attacked them but were driven back by fire from both the Rangers and American troops across the river. That afternoon, under a flag of truce, the Mexicans offered to return some of the stolen cattle, and McNelly finally crossed back to the Texas side of the river.6 Needless to say, this event kicked off an international squabble, subsequently leading Congress to call for hearings in Washington that necessitated the presence of McNelly and others.7 Jones briefly visited Mason, where on November 30 he sent out orders to all company commanders to do as much scouting during the winter as possible, having due regard for the health of the men and the condition of the horses.8 By December 4, he was in Fredericksburg purchasing corn and arranging its delivery to Lieutenant Long at Mason.9 At the same time, Coldwell with Company F in Gillespie County reported an unusual situation. In October, Lieutenant Pat Dolan of Coldwell’s company had been sent with a warrant to arrest one E. S. Gillcrease for horse theft. Dolan made the arrest, but the evidence was determined to be insufficient to bind the man over to court and he was released. Gillcrease promptly filed a lawsuit against Coldwell for $5,000, alleging false imprisonment. Coldwell insisted on a trial in the matter, but Gillcrease withdrew the lawsuit, leaving Coldwell with a personal expenditure of forty dollars for a lawyer and board for witnesses. Steele agreed to reimburse Coldwell for that amount.10 In mid-December, Company F was ordered to Oakville in Live Oak County to help the civil authorities cope with an outbreak of lawlessness there.11 In response, Coldwell was concerned about how long the Gallant and Untiring 121 company would be away from his home turf near Kerr County. “If we are to remain there until Spring, I will be forced to tender my resignation as I do not feel justified in leaving my family for a lengthened period without a protector, as they will be left and I am not able to take them with me.”12 On November 30, perhaps as part of the retrenchment, Jones’ good friend, Doctor E. G. Nicholson, was mustered out of the service of the Frontier Battalion.13 But the retrenchment also led to Jones ordering Ira...