How The Most Famous Texas Ranger Got His Start. Part 5

Howdy folks and greetings from the Great Plains of North Texas!

We're on a short series about Frank Hamer, who was one of the best Texas Rangers who ever wore the badge, perhaps THE best Ranger.

Recap

In yesterday's post we talked about the role of the Rangers in Texas law enforcement and about a murder which was committed in the small town of Del Rio and the Rangers were called in by the local Sheriff.

Two local ranchers were missing originally. One had been found dead, presumably shot to death by a man called Putnam.

Putnam had met with one of the ranchers who'd purchased a flock of sheep for $4,500. The other rancher was feared to have met the same fate.

Today's story

Captain Rogers and Frank Hamer couldn't find Putnam's trail so they figured he must have doubled back toward town. They thought he'd try to get far away by taking the train.

The Del Rio train station in the early 1900's:

source

The Rangers and Sheriff's men were staking out the train station when the Sheriff received a tip that Putnam was at the brothel which was close by...so of course everyone went over there.

They never thought to look in the brothel

Because it weren't logical. But Putnam was a nutjob.

After committing one for certain, and most likely two murders, the lawmen thought Putnam would be desperate to get out of town. But instead of going back to town to board the train he went back to live it up with whiskey and women!

I reckon all that cash was burning holes in his pockets. The boy wasn't too bright. He should have at least gone to another town to celebrate his cash windfall!

The Sheriff had 7 men in front of the building while Rogers took Hamer and another Ranger to cover the back.

When the Sheriff ordered all the girls out of the building they all came out front. They confirmed that Putnam was inside.

Dead man walking

The Sheriff yelled to Putnam that they knew he was in there and that he had no choice but to surrender. Putnam didn't answer.

One of the ladies was the brothel owner's daughter, I guess she was in charge. The Sheriff sent her back in to talk to Putnam.

When she came back out she said “He won’t come out".. “He’s got a funny look in his eyes and says he won’t give up.”

It don't look all that rosy for Putnam does it? We'll talk about what happens to him tomorrow and what part Frank Hamer plays in it.

Thanks for reading folks, God bless you all!
-jonboy
Texas