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November 2022
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
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Welcome New Chief of the Texas Rangers | | |
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Jason Taylor is the new Chief of the Texas Rangers. Taylor previously served as Regional Director of DPS Region 2 in Houston from April 2018, which consists of 35 counties in Southeast Texas. Before that, Taylor was the Company Commander of Texas Ranger Company “A” in Houston. | Taylor began his more than 20+ year career with DPS as a Texas Highway Patrol Trooper in 1998. He also served as a Sergeant/Investigator with the Criminal Investigations Division in the Special Crimes Service in Garland, and the DPS Criminal Intelligence Service in Houston. | |
Taylor was then accepted into the Texas Rangers Division – his first assignment was with Company “F” - Waco and later with Company “A” - Houston. He promoted to Ranger Lieutenant in 2011, Captain in 2014, and was subsequently assigned to oversee the Public Integrity Unit (PIU) at Austin Headquarters before promoting to Ranger Major in Houston. | |
Taylor earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Sam Houston State University, and is a graduate of the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command. He volunteers for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, where he serves on the Emergency Response Team. He is a four-time recipient of the Houston 100 Club Officer of the Year Award and has received other awards and commendations, including a DPS Regional Commander’s Award and a Ranger Company Commander’s Award. He is married and has two children. | |
Colt Single Action Army Revolver Once Belonging to Outlaw Alvin Odle | Joseph Trobaugh II has generously donated his great-grandfather Cal Aten’s revolver to the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum where it will be preserved for future generations of Texans and visitors to the museum. | The engraved Colt Single Action Army revolver has a truly unique story behind it. A small, handwritten note was once concealed in the grips. Written by Ranger Cal Aten, the note reads: "Taken from hand of Alvin Odle as he lay dying at the East Fork of Bullhead Mt. Edwards Co., TX. Xmas night 1889". | Gift of Joseph Trobaugh II/ 2022.028.001 | |
Calvin Grant “Cal” Aten (1868 – 1939) | |
Calvin Aten was born on December 7, 1868, in Abingdon, Illinois and came to Texas as a young child with his family in 1876. Following in older brother Ira’s footsteps, “Cal” Aten enlisted in Company D of the Texas Rangers on March 24, 1888, under Captain Frank Jones. Aten’s service with the Rangers was one of adventure and danger and included time working along the border in far south Texas and the Big Bend region. One of the most electrifying episodes of Aten’s Ranger career unwound in the Texas Hill Country near present day Rock Springs. There, on Christmas night 1889, while accompanied by Rangers John R. Hughes and Bazel Lamar “Baz” Outlaw, Aten was involved in a fierce gunfight with brothers Will and Alvin Odle. The Odle brothers were killed, and as Alvin Odle lay dying, he gave his engraved Colt .45 six-shooter to the young Ranger comforting him. Aten kept the revolver under his mattress the remainder of his life. |  | Cal married Mattie Jo Kennedy in Round Rock on May 2, 1894, and they had eight children. Following his tenure with the Texas Rangers he became a cowboy on the XIT Ranch, later acquiring a cattle ranch of his own near Adrian, Oldham County, where he registered the 8N brand. During WWI, he patriotically served as a Loyalty Ranger. Aten relocated for the last time after buying a ranch at Lelia Lake, Donley County. He died on April 1, 1939, and is buried in Citizen’s Cemetery in Clarendon, Texas. | |
Uncommon Firearms Exhibit | |
Located in Taub Hall, this new exhibit features some of the uncommon firearms in our collection. The display includes a cane gun, a palm pistol, a tear gas gun, and more! The most unique firearm in the exhibit is the Stockholm Pursuit Gun. This electric machine gun was intended to be mounted to the hood of law enforcement vehicles to help in high-speed pursuits. Come by soon to see this fascinating new exhibit. | |
Pictured here is Collections Assistant Eric Richard, who curated the exhibit, installing the labels and artifacts. | | |
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Book Launch: "Texas Secessionists Standoff", Donna Marie Miller
On Friday, December 30th join us for a book launch, signing and panel discussion on the Republic of Texas Standoff.
Marking the 25th anniversary of the event, Donna Marie Miller has written Texas Secessionists Standoff: The 1997 Republic of Texas "War" and will be on site to discuss the book. Buy your copy at the TRHFM gift shop. Miller will be here from 10am to 1pm in the Hall of Fame. The presentation will begin at 11am. Event is included with museum admission.
For a synopsis of the book, please click here.
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Heart of Texas Readers' Choice 2022 | | |
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From Automotive to Tree Service, readers of the Waco Tribune Herald nominated winners and favorites for the 2022 Heart of Texas Readers' Choice Awards. In the category of Museum, the TRHFM placed in the top three.
Mayborn Museum - Winner
Dr Pepper Museum - Favorite
Texas Ranger Hall of Fame & Museum - Favorite
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We have our own QR Code! A special thanks to Susan with Waco Convention and Visitors Bureau for generating this artwork. Scan with your phone's camera and see where it leads. Then let us know what you think. | |
Crimes Against Public Trust Conference | |
Photograph of Texas Ranger personnel at the Crimes Against Public Trust Conference held in Waco at the Texas Ranger Museum on October 11 – 13, 2022. | |
In Memoriam: Roscoe Davis | | |
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It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Retired Texas Ranger Roscoe Davis, Company "A” in Jasper.
Roscoe was born near Morgan Mill, TX, and later served our country in the U.S. Army. Roscoe attended the Texas Department of Public Safety Academy in 1962 and served our state in the Texas Highway Patrol. He later joined the ranks of the Texas Rangers in 1979 and retired in 1988. Roscoe was 89 years old.
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New Gift Shop Product: Cologne | |
New cologne fit for the Duke himself. $35.00 + Tax | |
To shop more items available for purchase, please visit our Gift Shop online or in person 9am to 4:30pm daily. You never have to pay admission to shop. Sales from the Gift Shop benefit the preservation and education activities of the Museum. Please call (254) 750- 8631 or email [email protected] to order. We ship worldwide. Thank you! | |
Texas Ranger BicentennialTM Partners Program | |
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Be part of the Texas Ranger Bicentennial! The Texas Rangers will commemorate their landmark 200th anniversary in 2023. With a $100 contribution, you will receive:
- A limited-edition enameled bronze pin featuring the official Texas Ranger Bicentennial™ seal
- A certificate signed by an active or distinguished retired Texas Ranger
- Your name or family name on the online roster of Bicentennial Partners™
- A one-time-use family admission ticket (admits 4) to the Museum.
$90 of the contribution qualifies as a charitable contribution. The Texas Ranger Hall of Fame is a 170(c) government-owned nonprofit.
Please click here to learn more about the program.
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Official Texas Rangers Bicentennial Pin
Trademarked by the Texas Dept. of Public Safety Designed by the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum
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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.
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Newsletter Compiled by Christine Rothenbush, Marketing & Development Specialist | | | | | |
