October 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

Women in DPS/Texas Rangers

The Collections Department, along with Historian/Collections Volunteer, Jan Devereaux, is currently researching and developing an exhibit that will feature women in the Texas Rangers, as well as the other divisions in the Department of Public Safety. On September 2, Captain Wende Wakeman and Rangers Laura Simmons and Veronica Gideon met with the Collections team at the museum to discuss the exhibit. The Rangers brought several artifacts and shared stories—both comical and serious—that will be featured in the exhibit. Captain Melba Saenz was unable to attend the meeting but will also be contributing artifacts to the exhibit.

Left to Right: Helen and Jeff Sandlin with Historian/Collections Volunteer Jan Devereaux. Mr. Sandlin holds Highway Patrolman Ed Wheeler’s pistol and badge that were carried by his mother Doris Wheeler during her time as a Petticoat Ranger.

The Women in the Texas Department of Public Safety exhibit will also tell the little-known story of the 1930s “Petticoat Rangers”. Doris Wheeler, the 23-year-old widow of Highway Patrolman Ed Wheeler, was hired by the Texas Highway Department after her husband died in the line of duty. She eventually became one of four Petticoat Rangers during Governor James Allred’s crackdown on illegal gambling. Director L.G. Phares commissioned four female DPS employees as Special Rangers, giving them full police powers and permission to carry firearms. The ladies would accompany male undercover DPS agents to infiltrate gambling houses as a couple out for a night on the town. Doris carried her late husband Ed Wheeler’s Colt Texas Highway Department pistol while she worked as a Petticoat Ranger. 

Doris’s son, Jeff Sandlin, has generously loaned the pistol and badge of Highway Patrolman Ed Wheeler for this exhibit. The Women in the Texas Department of Public Safety exhibit is scheduled to open by the end of November 2022.

1836 Committee Presentation

On Monday, August 29th the TRHFM was invited to present in front of the 1836 Project Advisory Committee at Austin Capitol by the Texas Education Agency (TEA).  The 1836 Committee with TEA’s assistance is planning the 200th anniversary celebration of Texas in 2036 and was interested in learning about the resources available at various partner institutions.

Presentations were also made by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission as well as the Texas History Trust. On behalf of the Museum, Audrey Ladd, Educations Program Manager, with Dr. Jody Ginn, Director of Development, led a presentation and discussion about the historical, preservation and educational mission of the Museum.

The Horse Museum

On Saturday, September 24th, Audrey Ladd, Education Programs Manager, visited the Waco Central Public Library to talk about horses and art. She read Dr Seuss’s The Horse Museum, a book that teaches about different kinds of art and art styles while focusing on just one subject—the horse. People have been painting, sculpting and drawing horses as long as we can remember. The kids then were able to create their own horse art with a variety of materials. Many people do not know that the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum has a large collection of fine art and this was a great opportunity to showcase some our own horse art. 

Featured in NewsExplorer

We made the top “21 Things to do in Waco” article by NewsExplorer. The 21 Things are:

·        Magnolia Market at the Silos

·        Waco Suspension Bridge and Riverwalk

·        Baylor University

·        McLane Stadium

·        Cameron Park

·        Cameron Park Zoo

·        Waco Sculpture Zoo

·        Dr Pepper Museum

·        Historic Waco Foundation house museums

·        Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum

·        Waco Mammoth National Monument

·        Mayborn Museum Complex

·        Armstrong Browning Library and Museum

·        A day on Lake Waco

·        Waco Tours River Cruise

·        Shopping at Spice Village

·        The Amazing Fixer Upper Tour by Brazos Tours

·        Waco Downtown Farmers Market

·        Hawaiian Falls Waco Waterpark

·        Heart O’ Texas Speedway

·        Waco Wine Tours

Read the full list at https://newsexplorer.net/21-top-things-to-do-in-waco-texas-s3709017.html

Captain Miller Receives DPS Award

At the August Public Safety Commission meeting, Texas DPS had the honor of recognizing Captain John J. Miller, Texas Ranger Division – Headquarters, with the Adolph Thomas Distinguished Service Award. Please join us in congratulating Captain Miller on his recent award.

Captain Miller joined the department as a Texas Highway Patrol Trooper in Yoakum in 2014. In 2021, Miller promoted to Lieutenant in SWAT. Miller’s knowledge, passion, leadership and devotion to duty have led to significant professional enhancement of the Special Operations Group and their ability to better serve our employees and the citizens of this state.

New Gift Shop Product: Ornaments

New limited edition navy blue glass Christmas ornament balls. Celebrate the historic Rangers on one side and the modern Rangers on the other. $16.99 + 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 (877) 750- 8631 or email [email protected] to order. We ship worldwide. Thank you! 

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