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Submitted: 4/26/20 • Approved: 4/27/20 • Last Updated: 4/30/20 • R305720-G0-S3
CAPTAIN Texas Rangers
October 19, 1863 - November 11, 1930
Texas Handbook Online:
ROGERS, JOHN HARRIS (1863–1930). John H. Rogers, captain in the Texas Rangers, was born in Guadalupe County, Texas, on October 19, 1863. He joined the rangers in 1882 and served as a sergeant under Capt. John A. Brooks. He became a captain himself in 1892, during the era of Governor James S. Hogg. Rogers was modest and soft-spoken, with a stocky build and mustache. He was twice wounded in his law-enforcement work: in a shootout with the Conner gang in the piney woods of East Texas and at Laredo, where he was enforcing quarantine regulations during a smallpox epidemic. As a result of his wound in Laredo his arm was shortened, after which he used a specially constructed Winchester rifle. As the head of a ranger company in the field, Captain Rogers had to investigate crimes and carry out administrative tasks, from recruiting and firing personnel to organizing scouting parties or filing detailed reports with his superiors in Austin. He brought law and order to Cotulla, was sent to stop the Fitzsimmons-Maher prizefight in El Paso in 1896 (see BEAN, ROY), and for a time pursued outlaw Hillary Loftis (alias Tom Ross). Future ranger officers Will (William L.) Wright and Frank Hamer served under Rogers, who resigned his commission at the end of January 1911. Rogers, A. T. (Augie) Old, and Thalis Cook can be called Christian rangers. Rogers joined the Presbyterian Church, was a church elder, and contributed 10 percent of his income to the church organization. He also believed that the use of whiskey led to most crimes. He carried his Bible with his guns and could use both whenever needed. In 1913 President Woodrow Wilson appointed him United States marshal for the Western District of Texas. He held this position for eight years. He subsequently served Governor Dan Moody as a ranger captain from 1927 to 1930. During his ranger career Rogers invested in lands near El Paso. This gave financial security to his wife, the former Harriet Randolph Burwell. They had two children: Brig. Gen. Pleas Blair Rogers, United States Army, and Lucile Rogers Reeves of San Antonio. Rogers died in 1930 at a hospital in Temple.
Over 44 years as a Peace Officer
One of the legendary "Four Captains" of the Texas Rangers along with John Reynolds Hughes, William Jesse McDonald, and John Abijah Brooks.
US Deputy Marshall-Western District of Texas
Chief of Police-Austin Texas Police Department
Father: Pleasant William Miles Rogers
Mother: Mary Amanda Harris Rogers
Contributed on 4/26/20 by tomtodd
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Record #: 305720