July 2019
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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Upcoming Talks by Texas Rangers
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Modeled on the popular
Astronaut Encounter
at the Kennedy Space Center
,
the museum will host a series of informal
Texas Ranger Talks!
on select Saturdays throughout the summer. Each presentation will last approximately 30 minutes followed by 15 minutes for Q&A. Presentations occur at 10am and 2pm and are included with regular admission to the museum.
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Texas Ranger Lt. James Thomas speaking at the Texas Ranger Talk during Spring Break Round Up
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July 6th
July 20th
August 3rd
August 17th
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Matt Cawthon, Retired
Matt Cawthon, Retired
Captain Richard Sweaney, Retired
Texas Ranger Jake Burson, Co. "F"
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*Please note:
Dates and speakers are subject to change.
Keep an eye on our
website
and
Facebook page
or call 254-750-8631!
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Library-Museum Admission Pass Program
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We are pleased to participate in the Library-Museum Admission Pass Program. A library pass allows a local family to visit a variety of Waco museums and attractions.
- Mayborn Museum Complex (2 adults/4 children)
- Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum (2 adults/2 children)
- Texas Sports Hall of Fame (2 adults/2 children)
- Dr Pepper Museum (6 admissions)
- Waco Mammoth National Monument (2 adults/2 children)
- Cameron Park Zoo (2 adults/2 children)
Check it out just like a book with your FREE library card! You can keep the pass for 7 days. Take it to the museum or attraction and enjoy everything that Waco has to offer. You just leave the pass at the museum and they will return it to the library.
Passes are available at both the Waco-McLennan County Libraries and the Hewitt Public Library.
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Making of
The Sutton Collection: Feuds and Family
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From extensive early research to the careful handling of objects on install day, a lot of hard work goes into each and every exhibit in the museum. Here is a little more information about
The Sutton Collection: Feuds and Family
and pictures of the finished exhibit.
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In 2017, the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum received a gift from donor Cynthia Salm including photographs, artifacts, and archival materials associated with the Sutton family, of the famed Sutton-Taylor feud. Ms. Salm is a descendant of the Sutton family, and has conducted genealogical research into her family’s history and the heirlooms passed down to her. Along with earlier gifts from Salm, the collection paints a picture of their family life and relationships in late 19th century Texas.
The collection is featured in the new exhibit,
The Sutton Collection: Feuds and Family
, in the Armstrong Research Center at the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum. The exhibit presents the story of the violent Sutton-Taylor feud, including its connection to the Texas Rangers. When William Sutton was killed during the feud in 1874, he left behind his then pregnant wife Laura Sutton. When Laura gave birth to a daughter, she named her William after her husband, but affectionately called her “Willie”. The exhibit goes on to explore the life and family relationships of Laura and Willie in the aftermath of the feud.
The exhibit displays a wide variety of artifacts, including William Sutton’s traveling trunk, the Sutton family Bible, Laura Sutton’s mourning dress, and photographs and other family heirlooms. You may have seen some of these in the photographs of install day. The exhibit
The Sutton Collection: Feuds and Family
is available for viewing Monday through Friday when our library staff is in the Research Center. If you are interested in coming to see the exhibit, please ask the front desk staff in the Museum’s lobby and they will point you in the right direction. We hope to see you there!
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Discovering the Legend
: Major Corey Lain
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Discovering the Legend
is a series of programs about Texas Ranger history, artifacts and art, and modern Ranger duties. It is produced in cooperation with the Texas Rangers, City of Waco, historians, and donors, as part of our mission to disseminate knowledge and inspire an appreciation of the Texas Rangers.
This episode features an interview with Texas Ranger Major Corey Lain of Company “F” in Waco. He discusses his career in Texas DPS, his specialized skills and training, and his daily duties as the Major of Company "F".
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Family Marks Third Generation of Texas Ranger Service
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Service in the Texas Rangers has been a proud tradition in some families for generations. Recently, the Dendy family marked its third generation in Texas Ranger service.
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John W. Dendy (1930-2016) was a Navy veteran who joined the Texas Dept. of Public Safety in 1956 and entered the Texas Ranger service in 1973. He worked in Canyon and Stephenville, retiring in 1992.
His son, Kirby W. Dendy, entered Texas DPS in 1971, served in Highway Patrol and Narcotics and was promoted to the Texas Rangers in 1987. He worked in Ft. Worth, Midland, Waco and Austin in all ranks from Private (a now obsolete rank) to Chief. In 2014 he retired after 43 years of distinguished law enforcement service.
Travis Dendy, Kriby Dendy's son, was promoted on July 1st from the Criminal Investigation Division and will be stationed in Temple. Like all modern Texas Rangers, he graduated from the Texas DPS Academy and served in the Texas Highway Patrol. He then began service with Criminal Investigation Division in 2013. We congratulate him for this achievement and the continuation of his family’s service to a Texas Rangers.
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Recap: Home on the Range Event
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On June 8th, visitors to the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum experienced life as a Texas Ranger from the 1870s to the modern day. Home on the Range went off without a hitch and we had record attendance for the event! Thank you to everyone who came out. A big thank you to the Texas Top Guns and Major Corey Lain for making this event possible. We couldn't do it without you!
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Top to Bottom:
Major Corey Lain gives a Texas Ranger Talk. Texas Top Guns set up an 1800s frontier camp in front of the Museum. A family from Hawaii tastes biscuits made in a Dutch oven. Joshua Bryant and family learn a saddle stitch for sewing leather goods.
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Please click here to see more
photographs
and
a
video
of Home on the Range from the City of Waco.
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Welcome to the Board: Doug Dukes
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Douglas M. Dukes of Liberty City has joined the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame Board. He retired with the rank of Lieutenant after a distinguished career of 28 years with the Austin Police Department.
Since retirement he has devoted his attention to studying and writing about frontier law enforcement. Doug’s articles have appeared in historical publications, such as the
Wild West History Association Journal
,
Wild West
, and
True West Magazine
. He has appeared as a guest on television documentaries about the history of the West. He has completed the manuscript for a book about firearms used by the Texas Rangers from their founding in 1823 to today. His 2010 book,
Ben Thompson: Iron Marshal of Austin
,
spotlighted the career of gambler and gunfighter Ben Thompson and his tenure as Austin City Marshal.
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New Book:
East Texas Troubles
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East Texas Troubles: The Allred Rangers’ Cleanup of San Augustine
by Jody Edward Ginn, Norman, University of Oklahoma Press.
Available in mid-July.
Between 1931 and 1934 San Augustine County saw at least three murders in broad daylight, the latest developments in the decade‐long rule of the criminal McClanahan‐Burleson gang. Armed with handguns, Jim Crow regulations, and corrupt special Ranger commissions from Ferguson administrations, the gang racketeered and bootlegged its way into power in San Augustine County, where it took up robbing and extorting local black sharecroppers as its main activity. In 1935, Governor James V. Allred sent a team of qualified Texas Rangers to San Augustine County to investigate organized crime.
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The author tells of their year‐and‐a‐half‐long cleanup of the county, which was the inaugural effort in Governor Allred’s transformation of the Texas Rangers into a professional law enforcement agency. a multifaceted history of the reform of the Texas Rangers and an alliance between the legendary frontier lawmen and black residents of the Jim Crow South.
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Gift Shop Feature: Tea Towels
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Need a "southern" gift? Tea Towels are a throwback to simpler times. The towels feature a gray Texas Ranger badge emblem on the front of a white towel. Brand is Marshes Fields & Hills. 100% cotton. Made in India.
$14.00 + Tax
To shop more items, 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 (877) 750-8631 or email
thestore@texasranger.org
to order. We ship worldwide. Thank you!
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Texas Ranger Bicentennial
TM
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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Education Center
The following groups utilized the Education Center for programs in June:
Texas Health and Human Services
Texas Rangers
DPS Highway Patrol
Texas Ranger Association Foundation
Baylor University School of Education
Texas Education Region 12
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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
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