June 2018
Texas Ranger Hall of Fame Newsletter
Sponsored by the City of Waco
Official State Historical Center of the Texas Rangers
Home of Texas Ranger Bicentennial 1823-2023
Texas Ranger Rocking Horse
“ Return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear ” when generations of children rode the range on their trusty wooden rocking horses. 

Louis Nesby of Wimberley, Texas, generously donated his beloved childhood ‘Texas Ranger’ wooden spring rocking horse. Mr. Nesby rode the toy as a toddler in the early 1960s and passed it down for use by his grandchild before deciding it needed to be preserved in the museum.
Left to Right: Shelly Crittendon, Collections Manager, and Louis Nesby, Rocking Horse Donor
The 1950s was the era of radio and TV series such as The Lone Ranger and Tales of the Texas Rangers , that portrayed the American west and the ideals of the Texas Ranger. As part of the western cowboy craze, every cowboy and cowgirl from the 1930s to the 1960s wanted a horse. Businesses realized this and capitalized on the popularity of these figures to promote all kinds of products. This ‘Texas Ranger’ rocking horse is just one example of the wild popularity of all things Western in the 1950s and 1960s.
The bright red color and simple wood construction of Mr. Nesby’s rocking horse is reminiscent of many rocking horses manufactured in the 1950s. The spring rocking horse was a modern adaptation to the traditional rocking horse on bow rockers (like a rocking chair). It was thought that the spring rocking horse was safer because it was stationary and wouldn’t fall over (just don’t get pinched by the springs!).

We encourage you to come view this new acquisition, and other examples of the Ranger tradition in popular culture, in the Pop Culture Gallery.
Tony Sapienza Visits TRHFM
On May 2nd, Dr. Tony Sapienza of New Jersey, visited the museum with TRHFM board members, Bob Alexander and Steve Wharram. 

Dr. Sapienza grew up in the 1960s watching western television shows such as Gunsmoke and Bonanza . He developed a love of the American West and a lifelong appreciation for the Texas Rangers. He began collecting Ranger-related photographs, original documents and artifacts eventually amassing an impressive collection. 

Dr. Sapienza’s interest in Texas Rangers led him to contact author and historian Bob Alexander. The two developed a friendship grounded in their mutual interest in the history of the American West. He has graciously allowed Alexander to utilize important historic photographs in several of his books and even sent a large portion of his collection to Steve Wharram to aid in his research on Ranger Captain Tom Hickman.
Left to Right: Bob Alexander, Major Corey Lain, Dr. Tony Sapienza and Steve Wharram at Company "F" Headquarters in Waco
Dr. Sapienza has generously loaned a portion of his collection to the Museum for research and exhibit. There are more than a hundred individual items in the collection. Several standout items include: a Bowie knife that belonged to Ranger Maurice Moore, original letters from Captain John R. Hughes and a photograph* (right) of bank robber Yancey Story and his new wife on their wedding day with Captain Tom Hickman who had years earlier arrested Story.

We are grateful for his generosity.

*Note that the photograph is marked up in pencil from when it was cropped and published in the newspaper.
Ranger Promotions
Congratulations to the following Texas Rangers on their recent promotions:
Todd Snyder, Assistant Division Director
Todd Snyder has been promoted to Assistant Division Director and Assistant Chief of the Texas Rangers Division in Austin. Ass't Chief Snyder most recently served as the Major of Texas Ranger Company “C” in Lubbock.

Prior to beginning his career with the department, Snyder served four years with the Nolan County Sheriff’s Office, where his assignments included Jailer/Dispatcher, Assistant Jail Administrator and Patrol Deputy/K-9 Handler.

Ass't Chief Snyder has more than 23 years of service with the Texas Department of Public Safety entering the DPS Academy in 1996. After graduation he was posted to Stanton, Texas, as a Highway Patrol Trooper. His subsequent assignments during his career with DPS have included Texas Highway Patrol, Criminal Law Enforcement and the Texas Rangers – serving in multiple duty stations in West Texas and the Panhandle. 

Jamie Downs, Major, Company “C”
Major Jamie S. Downs proudly serves as Company Commander for Texas Rangers Company “C” in Lubbock, which encompasses 71 northern counties, to include the Panhandle. Major Downs oversees Ranger Division Operations in Region 5, including the Special Response Team, Crisis Negotiation Unit, Major Crime Scene Team, Unsolved Crimes and Public Corruption. 

Major Downs is a graduate of Sam Houston State University’s Leadership Command College and has over 26 years of law enforcement experience. A fifth-generation Texan, he was raised in Borger, Texas before enlisting in the Texas Army National Guard in 1989. Downs graduated from the Panhandle Regional Police Academy in 1992, served for six years and promoted to the Assistant Chief of Police in Dalhart in 1998.
Todd Snyder, Assistant Division Director

Jamie Downs,
Major of Co. "C"
Downs joined DPS in 2001 and served as a State Trooper in Dalhart and Stratford before promoting to Highway Patrol Sergeant in 2006. Major Downs promoted to the Ranger Division in January 2008 and was stationed in Brownfield and Amarillo before promoting to Lieutenant in Waco in 2014. In 2016, he promoted to Administrative Captain at Ranger Headquarters in Austin, and was appointed as the Company “C” Commander on May 1, 2018. 
Presentation in Mount Enterprise, TX
On April 27th, the Friends of the Library in Mount Enterprise, Texas, hosted a tribute to the Texas Rangers. Patrons enjoyed a baked potato dinner with all the fixin's. Christine Rothenbush of the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame spoke on Texas Ranger history from its founding in 1823. Texas Ranger Stephen "Chris" Baggett, Co. "B" in Tyler, spoke on the modern duties of the Texas Rangers. We appreciate the hospitality of the Friends during our visit.
DPS Warns of Dangers of Leaving Children and Animals in Vehicles
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) reminds driver that summer heat can cause injury or death to children and pets left unattended in a vehicle.

Texas DPS Director Steven McCraw urged the public to call emergency personnel at 911 if they witness a young child left alone or in distress inside a vehicle – regardless of the weather conditions.
Even with an outside temperature of 60 degrees, the temperature inside a car can reach 110 degrees in a half hour in direct sunlight. Children are particularly at risk since their bodies heat up faster than an adult.

DPS offers the following tips for preventing vehicular heatstroke deaths and injuries:
  • Never leave your child unattended in the vehicle even for a brief time.
  • Call 9-1-1 if you see a child or pet alone in a car. 
  • Teach children not to play in vehicles; secure your keys.
  • Always check the back seats or cargo areas of your vehicle before walking away.
  • Use reminders that help ensure you remove children from the vehicle. For example: leave your bag, lunch or cell phone in the back seat with the child’s car seat.
  • If a child goes missing, obtain help and open the doors and trunks to every vehicle in the area. Many heatstroke deaths occur when a child accesses a parked car unnoticed.

Please click here for additional information on preventing child heatstroke in cars. (The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services also provides related information.)

Additionally, animals are also susceptible to heat-related injury or death – don’t put your pets in these life-threatening conditions. 
Gift Shop Feature: Wine Tumbler Set
Wine set includes two small tumblers (4”1/4” tall) and one large tumbler in the shape of a wine bottle (11” tall). Navy blue with white Texas Ranger badges and silver metal trim.

$74.95 + Tax

Matching small tumblers are sold individually.

$21.95 + Tax
Sales from the Gift Shop benefit the preservation and education activities of the Museum. Please call (877) 750-8631 or email [email protected] to order. Thank you!
Gift Shop Feature: TRHFM Logo Items
New rubber magnet is made in the U.S.A.
3.5" tall
$6.95 + Tax
New enamel on silver metal lapel pin
1" tall
$6.50 + Tax
Sales from the Gift Shop benefit the preservation and education activities of the Museum. Please call (877) 750-8631 or email [email protected] to order. Thank you!
Education Center
The following groups utilized the Education Center for programs in May:

Texas Rangers
Texas Ranger Association Foundation
NAACP
ENJOY
$2.00 OFF
Expires: July 31, 2018
Save $1.00 off regular adult admission for up to two adults. Coupon not valid on discounted senior or military admission. No cash value.
 
The museum is open 9am to 5pm with the last guest admitted at 4:30pm. The museum is located off I-35 and University Parks Drive in Waco, Texas. For more information, call (254) 750-8631 or visit www.texasranger.org .
Newsletter Compiled by:
Christine Rothenbush, Marketing & Development Coordinator