The obelisk at the grave of Charles
H. Fusselman, one of a handful of markers in the Lagarto Cemetery, Live
Oak County, Texas. Photo by Chuck Parsons.
Charles H. Fusselman
(1866-1890)
By Chuck Parsons
Like too many
young Texas Rangers of the Frontier Battalion, Charles H. Fusselman
is best remembered for his early death. He was killed in the line
of duty by rustlers near El Paso, Texas, on April 17, 1890. Although
nothing could compensate his family and friends for his untimely demise,
they could find some satisfaction at least in knowing that justice
was ultimately served in the legal hanging of his murderer.
Charles Henry Vanvalkenburg Fusselman was born July 16,
1866, in Greenbush, Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, the son of carpenter
John and his wife Abbie. [1] Naturally, he became known to all as Charley.
There was one older brother, John, born about 1859. [2]
During the 1870s, the Fusselmans located to Texas. Perhaps
John’s brother, Sam, had convinced him of the opportunities there,
because by 1880, his family was in Corpus Christi, Nueces County, where
Sam was raising stock with his wife and three children as early as 1870.
[3]
Not long after the 1880 census, John Fusselman moved his
family to Lagarto in southeast Live Oak County. At that time, it was
a thriving community which boasted the Lagarto College, a newspaper,
two churches, two hotels, a steam cotton gin and gristmill, a school,
and several general stores. Today, however, it is a ghost town where
only the cemetery remains—and where Charley Fusselman is buried.
[4]
Why Fusselman joined the Texas Rangers is unknown, but
he became part of the elite Company D as a private on May 25, 1888,
at Realitos in southwestern Duval County. One of the most famous Texas
Ranger photographs is of this company and was made the year Fusselman
joined. Several of the Rangers shown, such as Baz Outlaw, became famous
or notorious. Some who kept the Ranger star shining bright included
J. Walter Durbin, Jim King, and Captain Frank Jones.
The name of C. H. Fusselman first appears in Ranger records
on the May 1888 muster roll of Captain Jones, commander of Company D.
The company was then stationed in Duval County. As 1st sergeant, Jones
had Ira Aten, a Ranger who would later make a name for himself by recording
his memoirs. J. Walter Durbin was 1st Corporal. Captain Jones received
$100 per month, a 1st sergeant received $50, and a corporal got $35.
The eleven privates in the company each earned $30 per month, while
teamster John Lott received a scant $20.

One of the most famous Texas Ranger group photos,
made at Realitos in 1887. Standing from left: James W. King, Baz L.
Outlaw, Riley Barton, Charles H. Fusselman, Will “Tink”
Durbin, Ernest Rogers, Charles Barton, Walter Jones. Seated from left:
Bob Bell, Calvin G. Aten, Captain Frank Jones, J. Walter Durbin, James
R. Robinson, Frank Schmid. Photo courtesy the late Ed Bartholomew.
Charley Fusselman was mustered in on May 25. The other
privates were Cal G. Aten, Ira’s younger brother; A. Dillard;
John R. Hughes, who would later become known as one of the four great
captains; Gerry “Walter” Jones, a brother of Captain Jones;
James W. King; W.W. Jones; Baz L. Outlaw; Ernest Rogers; J.W. “Wood”
Saunders; and Frank L. Schmid. [5]
Fusselman is first highlighted in the records in October
when the company was stationed at Rio Grande City in Starr County. On
the 27th, Private Fusselman and one other Ranger were sent to Roma to
oversee county elections. Their presence alone apparently prevented
the contending parties from causing any disturbance, as nothing more
is noted in the return. The pair was gone from camp two days and marched
a total of thirty miles. [6]
Any specific duties and activities performed during the
next few months have not been recorded. Perhaps Fusselman was one of
the privates who were part of a scout, never identified by name, rather
than being in charge of one. In any case, the returns make no mention
of him by name.
For a while at least, Fusselman and Privates Ernest Rogers
and Cal Aten were on detached service with Captain James A. Brooks in
Rio Grande City. [7] He may have been one of the five men scouting in
late October in Roma, where they arrested five men. Another man surrendered
peacefully, as he felt he was as guilty as those who had been arrested!
After being delivered to jail, the six prisoners were all “bailed
out the same day.” More exciting perhaps was the news that the
stage between Rio Grande City and Pena had been held up by a single
highwayman. [8]
In March 1889, Fusselman and Corporal Durbin scouted to
Zavala County to resolve a dispute between two former partners over
ownership of a herd of cattle. When the joint venture had dissolved,
one partner, instead of dividing the cattle, took the entire herd. His
empty-handed partner charged the man with theft. The two Rangers caught
up with the thief but could not immediately locate the herd. Fusselman
delivered the bandit to jail in Uvalde, Uvalde County, while Durbin
searched for the stolen cattle. He ultimately located them in a pasture
near Cotulla, La Salle County. [9]
Affairs were going from bad to worse in far West Texas,
and a detachment was sent to Alpine. In the early seventies when the
Frontier Battalion was first created, a detachment might number fifteen
or twenty men. Now in a much slower economy, the state reduced the number
of Rangers drastically. Walter Durbin was in charge of the detachment
composed of B. L. Outlaw, Charles Barton, John Hughes, and Fusselman.
Durbin had gone on ahead by train, and the detachment, going by horseback,
did not reach Alpine until May 11, having made the long trek of 400
miles. Fusselman and two of the men arrested a trio of roughs on the
25th: Antonio and Casimer Beveles for rape, and Tonadolo Morales for
assault to murder. They were delivered to Brewster County Sheriff ex-Ranger
J. T. Gillespie. [10]
Captain Jones’ brother-in-law, William O. Grady,
worked at the Fronteriza mines in Coahuila, Mexico, and requested several
tough men to guard mining shipments. Durbin, Outlaw, and Hughes were
eager for the work. On May 16, Outlaw resigned, with Durbin and Hughes
leaving the service the following day. With the resignation of Corporal
Durbin, an opening was in the ranks; Fusselman was recommended to fill
the vacancy. Captain Jones, who greatly respected Durbin’s opinion,
made Charles H. Fusselman corporal of Company D to be effective on May
18, 1889. The captain may have had some reservation about his choice
to replace Durbin, as he wrote to Captain L.P. Sieker: “Fusselman
is a good man but is somewhat lacking in experience, he having been
in the service only a year.” [11]
We know of one mano a mano gunfight in which Fusselman
emerged the winner. He faced down and killed Donaciano Beslanga on June
4, 1889, at Maxon Spring, near Marathon, Texas. Fortunately, he was
able to relax in Sheriff Gillespie’s office afterwards. There
he left a detailed account of the incident. On Tuesday, June 5, he penned
the following account:
[Y]esterday morning while in discharge of my duty
as Ranger I killed one mexican name Donaciano Beslanga. I will explain.
Sunday eve as I road [sic] in to Alpine I met Capt
Gillespie who had a telegram from Haymond station, stating that the
now deceased had the town terorized[.] he had shot one man a bad flesh
wound & was riding through town shooting & all was endanger
of their lives. Capt Gillespie asked me to go with his Deputy &
make the arrest. well we took the 8.52 train & when we arrived
at Haymond the now deceased had gone to Maxon Springs[.] we got a
hand car & went down but did not find him & was informed over
the wire that he was at Haymond[.] we returned on 3.20 train &
the Deputy gave up & returned to Alpine[.] I stayed to try &
find some other trace of him & found that he was at Maxon Springs
& we had missed him by the [inadequate] description [so] I borowed
a mule & went again to Maxon Springs found he had left at sun
rise[.] I lay & watched his wife until 10 at night when a heavy
storm blew up which drove now deceased in to camp his home for shelter[.]
I run on him but he sliped [by] me as it was so dark
I followed his course to watter tank & as I
was looking under the tank for him lightning flashed & he shot
at me at about 100 yards I did not see where he was until he fired
second shot then I run toward him & returned the shot[.] lightning
flashed & he was down on [the] track & fired several shots
& run & I lost him as it was so dark & raining so hard.
next morning I got a rifle & took his trail at daylight when about
3/4 mile from Station I heard him cough[.] I went toward him &
the instant I saw him he saw me & sprang up to his knees[.] I
could see there was no chance of his giving up as he had a bad expression
on his face so I fired as he did both at same time[.] witnesses said
that the two shots were so near together that they could just be distinguished
then about 15 shots were exchanged all this happened in about 20 seconds
I emptyed my gun run in on him grabbed his gun & shot him once
with pistol before he would give up. he was hit 8 times 5 shots were
fatal he would of fought 10 minutes longer if I had not grabbed his
gun & took it away from him I then wired Gillespie who came at
night with Justice & held inquest & we returned to Alpine[.]
the officers all say I am justifyable in the killing as it was in
self defence in the Discharge of my Duty please excuse this long explanation[.]
J.R. Dawson, justice of the peace of Precinct No. 1,
recorded that “the deceased came to his death by gunshot wounds
at the hands of Charles H. Fusselman while in the legal discharge of
his duties as an officer that said Homicide was clearly Justifiable
under the evidence.” [12]
Captain Frank Jones, seated center
L to R: Ira Aten, Walter Jones, Charles Fusselman, James R. Robinson,
Wood Saunders (directly behind Captain Jones), John Hughes (the future
Border Boss), Walter Durbin, Bass Outlaw, Will “Tink” Durbin,
Ernest Rogers, Unknown.
This gunfight certainly contained elements that would
make a great action scene in a western movie. It began on one day and
continued the next, a torrential storm preventing clear visibility.
One officer left the other to face the desperado alone. Shots were fired
so close together they almost sounded as one. Flashes of gunfire - lightning
flashes – and guns emptied. Fusselman established himself with
this gunfight as a lawman to be taken seriously in spite of his brief
Ranger experience.
Corporal Fusselman was at Fort Davis when he penned a
letter to Captain L.P. Sieker requesting a copy of the Fugitives from
Justice booklets. These were pamphlets providing the names and description
of wanted men from all counties in the state. He obviously intended
to make good use of these lists, anticipating that wanted men would
try and lose themselves in the sparsely populated regions of West Texas.
Wrote the corporal: “Will you be so kind as to forward me a Fugative
[sic] list as it may proove [sic] of some benefit to me[.]” [13]
Parts I, II and III were sent out on June 17 to Fusselman.
Fusselman was eager for the hunt. On the 14th, he and
one other Ranger went on a scout into Buchel County [14] after cattle
thieves. This time he was not successful: he had no gunfight or arrests.
They were out eight days and marched a total of 175 miles.
No sooner had the pair returned than on the next day,
June 23, Fusselman and one other scouted into Reeves County. This time,
they were successful: they arrested Manuel Trevino, charged with murder.
This scout lasted three days and covered a total of 65 miles. They brought
the prisoner back to Alpine and delivered him to Sheriff Gillespie.
[15]
Additional responsibilities had been placed on Fusselman
during this month of June. On the 19th, U.S. Marshal Paul Fricke appointed
him as a deputy. He believed the young Ranger could do good work in
tracking down smugglers and “mescalleros,” those who dealt
in illegal alcohol. Initially, Captain Jones wanted Fusselman to reject
the appointment. Fusselman did write out a letter of resignation, but
Fricke was not satisfied: “I have declined to accept it [the resignation
letter] until I can communicate with you . . . [as] the two positions
dovetail.” Ultimately, Jones allowed Fusselman to maintain his
deputy marshal commission. [16]
Even with the presence of a handful of Rangers, the citizens
of this area of the state wanted more protection. On June 29, a petition
was prepared and forwarded to Governor L.S. Ross. The petitioners “most
respectfully represent that a force of rangers is absolutely necessary
for the protection of the lives and property of the citizens of Presidio
County.”
The citizens’ main concern was for the residents
of the towns of Presidio, Pulvo, and Ruidosa. The petition contended
that “stock is daily being stolen by lawless bands who have their
rendezvous in the Sparsely settled sections of the Republic of Mexico.”
Recent anecdotal incidents were related. Ignacio Goodman, on June 21,
was with another man when they were halted by masked men and robbed
of $450. About May 31, Francisco Vasquez was robbed of forty head of
horses. A short time before this, Messrs. Norman and Morgan lost fifty
head of horses and mares to thieves, and R.C. Daly lost sixty-five.
Small ranchers “are continually being depredated upon.”
On June 1, Felix Hernandez lost thirty-five head of horses,
and “we are reliably informed that the Mexican authorities contemplate
placing a force of mexican troops at and near the town of Ojinga opposite
Presidio for the purpose of chasing these lawless characters out of
that country.” [18] If this would happen, the lives and property
of the citizens of Texas in Presidio County “will be at the mercy
of these characters unless a body of rangers are stationed at or near
Presidio.” No ranger company was sent to Presidio County, but
a letter was forwarded to Fusselman and one to Judge P.F. Edwards of
El Paso, making them aware of the serious concerns of the citizenry.
The governor was at least aware, even if he did not respond affirmatively
to their needs. [17]
Fusselman’s close call with death was not repeated,
so far as known, but he was continually in potentially dangerous situations,
dealing with thieves, smugglers, and killers. In July, he went to Shafter
in search of stagecoach robbers. Although he did not track them down,
he did arrest one Tovario Quintella for “rudely displaying a pistol.”
[18] This was a 220-mile march, and Fusselman was absent from Alpine
for ten days.
No sooner had Fusselman returned than he went out again,
this time with three men. They scouted in Presidio County under orders
from Adjutant General King “to investigate reported robberies
and theft.” On this scout, Fusselman arrested Jesus Mendoza and
one Gregoria, both charged with horse theft. This was a nine-day scout
covering 200 miles. The stage robber now had an identity: James Webb.
On July 22, Fusselman scouted in Brewster County for him, but failed
to find him. [19]
At Fort Davis on July 20, Fusselman wrote a long letter
to Captain Sieker detailing “a few of the crimes commited [sic]
on the river[.]” He wrote not only of the crimes but also of the
people living there:
The river is all settled up on both sides by farmers,
from Polvo to Rio Daso [sic, Ruidosa.] on this side there is 2000
inhabitants of which 300 are at Presidio 150 at Polvo 100 at Rio Dosa
the balance scattered along the river[.] on the other side there is
6,000 inhabitants of which 1000 are at Presidio Del norte[.] it appears
that the most of the tillible soil is in mexico side, the river is
fordable at all Points. [20]
Now Fusselman wrote as if he had been a long time in
the service:
I have Ranged from Brownsville to this place[.]
this frontier is more in kneed [sic] of rangers than any section I
ever was in & I think it truly nesicary that a company or at least
a squad of 5 or 6 be stationed at Presidio[.] they may not be able
to make many arrests but their presents [sic] will civilize the country[.]
in regard to the county there is no grass & watter together within
40 miles of Presidio it has not rained there in 1 year & if it
should the soil will not grow grass[.] there is grass 8 miles from
Presidio but no watter nearer than Presidio. [21]
Scouting activities in August were similar to those in
the preceding months. On August 2, Fusselman and one other scouted to
the Rio Grande in south Presidio County and arrested two men charged
with horse theft, Juan Riduquiz and Ricordo Bolvusialo. They were jailed,
and the Rangers continued on. This scout lasted fourteen days, and the
men covered 278 miles. Following this, Fusselman and one other spent
six days guarding the jail in Jeff Davis County in order to give their
horses as well as themselves a rest from riding.
The September-December monthly returns for the balance
of 1889 are similar to the preceding ones in reporting Fusselman’s
activities. He was almost daily out on scouts, making arrests for all
types of illegal acts: theft of a saddle, horse theft, smuggling, assault
to murder, tracking a jail escapee, arresting cattle thieves. In addition,
he had to attend court. In these four months, Fusselman logged 1,020
miles on official business!
By late November, Fusselman was wanting a break from service
and requested permission to spend some time at home with his family.
He wrote Adjutant General King:
I have Ranged since May 1888 & have never had
a furlough[.] I was [a] private until June 1st then Corpl until Aug
20 & now am Sergt & you will confer a great favor on me if
you will grant me about 15 days furlough[.] I want to leave here about
the 12 of Dec & return the 27 of Dec spending Xmas at home which
is in Live Oak Co Texas. [22]
Presumably Fusselman’s request was granted as his
name does not appear in the records until February 1890.
Fusselman’s concern for the citizens of the country
is frequently seen in his letters to his superiors. In February, he
wrote to Captain Sieker asking him to come and make his own investigation.
“Since Aug 17th 1889 there has been 7 murders committed in &
near Presidio Co & the murderers taken refuge in Mexico & some
of them American citizens. no steps can be taken to get them[.] the
Mexicans in Mexico seems to uphold them.” [23]
More immediate concerns required his attention, however.
Two of his mules became “locoed” and at least one of them
would never be worth anything. He had tried “everything he could
think of to cure her without success.” [24] While concerned over
transportation needs, Fusselman was still making arrests. On March 2,
he scouted to the Rio Grande and arrested Alexander Lena and Severano
Lijan for horse theft. This four-day scout covered 150 miles. On the
11th, he and one other Ranger scouted in Brewster County after Bill
Taylor and John Barnhart, but they were unsuccessful this time. It was
a four-day march covering 130 miles. On the 14th, he arrested one Ocon
for smuggling in Jeff Davis County, and on March 17, he arrested Lebrado
Angelan for horse theft in Presidio County. [25]
Then Charles H. Fusselman was called to attend court in
El Paso. It was April 17, 1890, when he by chance was in El Paso County
Sheriff James H. White’s office [26] visiting with Deputy Frank
B. Simmons [27] and ex-Ranger George Herold. Rancher John Barnes rushed
in to report that rustlers had raided his ranch and stolen all his horses
and some of his cattle. After trailing them for a short distance, he
had wisely decided it was too dangerous to follow them alone and requested
help. As Deputy Simmons could not leave the office unattended, Fusselman
volunteered to go along with Herold and Barnes. Herold had extensive
experience serving in the Civil War, going up against raiding Indians
and outlaws, and serving as city marshal of Laredo. In contrast to Fusselman’s
youth, Herold was nearly sixty years old.
The lawmen quickly found the trail and caught up with
Ysidoro Pasos [28], one of the rustlers who had been posted as a lookout
on the back trail. He was taken and tied up. Fusselman then led the
posse into one of the Franklin Mountains’ many canyons. Barnes
held the reins of the captured thief’s horse when they located
several of the stolen animals. Believing them abandoned by the thieves,
the lawmen apparently let down their guard.
Unknowingly, they had entered the rustlers’ camp.
Ambushed! It was every man for himself.
When the gunfire erupted, Fusselman called out, “Boys,
we are in for it, and lets stay with it!” Almost immediately,
Fusselman fell dead, the victim of an outlaw’s Winchester bullets.
Not knowing how many rustlers might lie ahead in ambush,
Barnes and Herold left their dead companion instead of risking their
own lives. Instead of fighting the outlaws in the tradition of the western
movies, they let go of the reins of Pasos’ horse and hastened
back - Herold to El Paso and Barnes to his ranch. The rustlers fled
the scene as well, not knowing if other lawmen were coming or not. [29]
Sheriff White organized a posse of a half dozen men, “six
of the most fearless men in the county,” according to one report.
He sent them out in pursuit of the thieves and murderers. They were
followed by a wagonload of provisions. [30]
In spite of the determination of the posse, the trail
was lost in the rough Franklin Mountains. Fusselman’s body was
found and taken to El Paso’s Star Stable undertaking establishment.
[31] Initially, he was buried in El Paso’s Concordia cemetery
but, within days, brother John Fusselman arrived in El Paso and had
the body exhumed and delivered to the Lagarto Cemetery. Corporal Fusselman
was laid to rest for the second and final time on April 29, 1890. His
grave is marked by a tall but damaged obelisk. He was only twenty-three
when he was killed.
Fusselman’s Ranger companion, Cal G. Aten, wrote
the following to Captain Sieker a few days after Fusselman’s death:
A good boy and energetic ranger has been laid away
through the Deviltry of a lot of cowardly thieves and murderers in
which this country abounds. Much regret is expressed here among the
people and I hardly know what we can do without him. [32]
Ultimately, Geronimo Parra, a well-known rustler along
the Mexican border, was identified as the man who killed Charles Fusselman.
His life had been one of anger and desperate combat, the evidence of
which was obvious by the bullet and knife wounds on his body. Jailed
for burglary in 1891, he escaped but was captured later that year. When
released, he was shot and wounded by a Las Cruces, New Mexico, Deputy
Sheriff Ben Williams. He was again in prison in early 1894 for assault
to murder and burglary.
Ranger John R. Hughes, now a captain of Company D following
the death of Captain Frank Jones, learned of Parra’s incarceration
and wanted him in Texas to stand trial for Fusselman’s murder.
For help, he turned to noted lawman Pat Garrett, the slayer of Billy
the Kid. By chance, Garrett was in pursuit of Pat Agnew, a bandit who
was known to be in Texas. The two lawmen agreed that if Hughes could
capture Agnew and turn him over, Garrett would use his influence to
have Parra turned over to Hughes. Hughes succeeded, and Garrett kept
his part of the bargain: Parra was soon in Hughes’ custody.
Parra stood trial for murder and was found guilty mainly
upon the testimony of George Herold, who identified him as the assassin.
In El Paso on October 6, 1898 - over eight years after Fusselman’s
death - Parra was convicted and sentenced to hang. The killer appealed.
The sentence was affirmed and Parra was to be executed on January 5,
1900. Antonio Flores was scheduled to die with him in a double execution.
As the two men were taken from their cells to the gallows, they both
produced handmade knives and began stabbing at anyone nearby. Their
efforts were fruitless. No one was seriously injured and both were quickly
subdued.
The trap door dropped under Flores first. Deputies then
attempted to remove the rope from Flores to be used on Parra, but they
found it could not be loosened easily because it had not been properly
stretched. Deputies then hauled Flores’ body up through the trap
door and laid it at the feet of the waiting Parra. The rope was finally
removed from Flores’ neck and placed around Parra’s. Then
he too dropped through the trap door into eternity.
Parra had been allowed to make a final statement. He claimed
innocence in the murder, forgave all, and asked for forgiveness. About
one hundred spectators witnessed the grisly scene, including several
who had served with Fusselman during his brief Ranger career––
and Captain John R. Hughes. [33]
As a final tribute to young Fusselman, the canyon where
he was killed is now named Fusselman Canyon.
DIVIDER
FRANK JONES GROUP PHOTO HERE
This group photo of Rangers has become popular perhaps
due to their evident pride in displaying their weaponry and also because
of the number of well-known names featured. Most famous certainly is
B.L. Outlaw.
The picture is also remarkable for the sets of brothers
pictured: Frank Jones and his younger brother Gerry “Walter”
Jones; J. Walter and his younger brother James William “Tink”
Durbin; and Charles Barton and his brother Riley. Cal Aten’s older
brother was also in the company but was on detached service at the time.
Also of interest is that aside from Fusselman, five of
the men pictured lost their lives due to violence:
? Captain Jones was killed while fighting bandits near
El Paso on June 30, 1893.
? Frank Schmid was severely wounded in a street fight in Richmond, Fort
Bend County, on August 16, 1889. This wound cost him his life on June
17, 1893.
? James W. King, who had enlisted on March 23, 1888, was discharged
on September 1, 1889. On February 11, 1894 he was murdered by rustlers
in Zavala County.
? B. L. “Bass” Outlaw was discharged on September 18, 1892,
and became a Special Ranger as well as a Deputy U.S. Marshal. On April
5, 1894, he was killed by Constable John Selman during a drunken scene
in El Paso.
Several of the men pictured lived long lives:
? Calvin G. Aten died on April 1, 1939.
? Gerry Jones died November 5, 1917.
? Joseph Walter Durbin died on September 19, 1916.
? Tink Durbin, Walter’s brother, died on April 5, 1911.
? It is believed the Barton brothers also lived into the 20th century
because their widows applied for a pension based on their 1888-89 service.
No further details have been learned.
? Of the others who posed for this photograph–Bob Bell, James
R. Robinson, and Ernest Rogers–their final days are unknown as
yet. Hopefully, a Texas Ranger buff will someday learn of their final
days.
Endnotes
[1] Robert W. Stephens. Bullets and Buckshot in Texas
(Wolfe City, Texas: Henington Publishing Co., 2002). Stephens gives
Fusselman’s birth date, birthplace, and second middle name of
Vanvalkenburg, citing the Fusselman family bible (pp. 172, 179). The
Nueces County census of 1880 places his birth as Wisconsin (U.S.
Census: Nueces County, June 15, 1880, 38). Stephens provides the
most complete treatment of Fusselman’s life to date. Leon C. Metz
places an entry on Fusselman in his The Encyclopedia of Lawmen,
Outlaws, and Gunfighters (New York: Facts on File, 2003), 89. Ranger
historian Robert M. Utley, in Lone Star Justice (New York:
Oxford University Press, 2002), gives him brief mention although Charles
M. Robinson III in The Men Who Wear the Star (New York: Random
House, 2000) fails to mention him.
[2] U.S. Census: Nueces County, June 15, 1880, 38.
[3] U.S. Census: Nueces County, July 6, 1870, 176.
[4] When the Fusselmans moved to Live Oak County is unknown. Stephens
merely writes that “as a youth,” Charley “walked the
streets of Lagarto.” A letter written by Fusselman in 1889 confirms
the location as he refers to his family in Live Oak County.
[5] Muster and Pay Roll of Captain Frank Jones, Duval County,
May 31, 1888. The original muster and pay rolls, monthly returns, and
correspondence relative to the Texas Rangers are located in the Texas
State Archives, Austin.
[6] Monthly Return, Captain Frank Jones, October 31, 1888.
[7] Monthly Return, Captain Frank Jones, November 30, 1888.
[8] J. Walter Durbin to Adjutant General W.H. King, October
29, 1888.
[9] Robert W. Stephens. Walter Durbin: Texas Ranger and Sheriff
(Clarendon, Texas: Clarendon Press, 1970), 73.
[10] Ibid. Stephens, Walter Durbin, 77.
[11] Captain Frank Jones to L. P. Sieker, written from Uvalde,
May 21, 1889. Original in Adjutant General Correspondence, Texas State
Archives. L.P. Sieker had a long and varied career as a Ranger. He enlisted
in Captain C. R. Perry’s Company D on May 25, 1874 and was commissioned
a lieutenant in 1881. On September 1, 1882, he was promoted to captain
of Company D, which position he held until being appointed quartermaster
on October 15, 1885, with the rank of captain. In 1889 he was made assistant
adjutant general.
[12] Fusselman’s letter, dated June 5, and Dawson’s
statement of his being cleared of any wrong doing, is found in the correspondence
to Adjutant General W.H. King, Texas State Archives.
[13] Fusselman to Captain Sieker, June 14, 1889.
[14] Buchel County was abolished in 1896 and now is a part of Brewster
County.
[15] Monthly Return, Captain Frank Jones, June 30, 1889. While
Fusselman and the others were in West Texas, Captain Jones and the balance
of the company were in Richmond, Fort Bend County, preserving the peace
following the Jaybird-Woodpecker Feud. He added the scouting reports
from his detachment to the monthly return as appendages.
[16] U.S. Marshal Paul Fricke to Adjutant General King, December
12, 1889.
[17] “Petition for Rangers to protect citizens of Co[unty] against
marauders” to Governor L.S. Ross, June 29, 1889.
[18] Monthly Return, Captain Frank Jones, July 31, 1889.
[19] Ibid.
[20] Fusselman to L.P. Sieker, written from Fort Davis, July
20, 1889.
[21] Ibid.
[22] Fusselman to Adjutant General W.H. King, November 26,
1889. With the loss of the 1890 census, it is difficult to determine
the family of Fusselman at Christmas time in December of 1889. In 1880,
in Nueces County, there were his parents and brother John as well as
uncle Sam Fusselman, his wife Henrietta, and their four children (Charley’s
cousins): James M, Nattie J., Ada M., and John M. (U.S. Census: Nueces
County, June 15, 1880 census, 38). By 1900, brother John and family
were still in Nueces County. Living with them were John and Charley’s
father, John, now seventy-six years old. (U.S. Census: Nueces County,
June 12, 1900, Enumerator’s District No. 135, sheet 25).
[23] Fusselman to L.P. Sieker, written from Marfa, February
29, 1890.
[24] Captain Jones to L.P. Sieker, March 28, 1890.
[25] Monthly Return, Captain Frank Jones, March 31, 1890.
[26] Sheriff James H. White was elected on November 4, 1884; re-elected
November 2, 1886,
and November 6, 1888; and served until November 4, 1890.
[27] Frank B. Simmons was elected on November 8, 1892; re-elected November
6, 1894, and November 3, 1896; and served until November 8, 1898.
[28] This man’s name is from Leon C. Metz, The Encyclopedia
of Lawmen, Outlaws, and Gunfighters, 89.
[29] Details on Fusselman’s murder and subsequent actions by El
Paso officials are found in the Galveston Daily News of April 18 and
20, the San Antonio Daily Times of April 19 the San Antonio
Daily Express of April 19, and the El Paso Times of April
18-20, 1890.
[30] The Galveston Daily News, April 18, 1890, citing a report
from El Paso dated April 17.
[31] Stephens, Bullets and Buckshot in Texas, 175.
[32] C.G. Aten to Sieker, written at Marfa, April 22, 1890.
[33] Details of the apprehension and execution of Parra are from Stephens,
Bullets and Buckshot in Texas, 176-79, and from Leon C. Metz,
Pat Garrett: The Story of a Western Lawman (Norman: University
of Oklahoma, 1974), 216-17.
Recommended Further Reading
Metz, Leon Claire. The Encyclopedia of Lawmen, Outlaws,
and Gunfighters. New York: Facts on File, Inc., 2003. (Entry on
Charles Fusselman, 89)
Stephens, Robert W. Bullets and Buckshot in Texas. Wolfe City,
Texas: Henington Publishing Co., 2002. (Chapter on Charles Fusselman,
172-81)
Stephens, Robert W. Walter Durbin: Texas Ranger and Sheriff.
Wolfe City, Texas: Henington Publishing Co., 1970.