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1 of 1977 Frank Jones

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Frank Jones

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Name	Jones, Frank
Othernames	Frank L. Jones
Born	June 12, 1856
Birthplace	Austin, TX
Notes	Frank L. Jones Bio. Frank L. Jones was born in Austin on June 12, 1856. From a law enforcement family of seven Texas Ranger brothers, he first entered Ranger service in 1873 when he enlisted in Captain J.C. Nowlin's Kendall County Minute Men, Company C. Jones ultimately went on to serve two additional enlistments in other companies before enlisting in Company D under Captain Dan W. Roberts in 1881. He stayed with Company D twelve years, achieving the rank of Captain in 1886. In 1892, Frank Jones, a widower, married Helen Baylor Gillett in Ysleta, Texas. During Captain Jones' time as commander, he and his legendary Company D men were involved in many well-known and dangerous assignments while stationed in West and South Texas. He experienced the role of the Rangers' evolution from frontier defense to a more organized, professional law enforcement body. As advancements in technology progressed, society too began to conform to the rest of the "civilized" nation. The invention and use of barbed wire created an explosive situation in the so called "Fence Cutting Wars" between farmers and ranchers. The modernization of transportation from horse to train brought a new breed of criminal to the Texas Rangers- the train robber. Frank Jones and his men were often called upon to locate these new types of bandits and bring them to justice. Investigation and apprehension of criminals became part of the regular duties of a Texas Ranger. It was during the execution of such an assignment that Captain Jones lost his life. In June 1893 Captain Jones, along with Corporal Carl Kirchner, Private Ed Aten, Wood Saunders, Tom Tucker and Deputy Sheriff Ed Bryant, were on a scout looking for the notorious Olguin family outlaws who were wanted for cattle and horse rustling and assault. In an area called Pirate Island, near San Elizario, Texas, the outlaws opened fire on Jones and his men, killing the captain almost immediately. After the gunfight, it was discovered the group of Rangers had inadvertently crossed into Mexico. The Rangers were forced to leave the body of Captain Jones behind while they fled to the American side of the border. Through diplomatic means, Jones' body and personal belonging were retrieved and returned to Texas. Captain Jones left a wife and a daughter from his first marriage, Grace Kathleen. His son, Frank Baylor Jones, was born 10 days after his death.
Spouse	Helen Baylor Gillett
Children	Frank Baylor Jones
Deceased	June 1893
Deceased where	Mexico
Additional Information	Historic Event Article Battling the Olguin Family Video About Captain Frank Jones

Related Records

1. Frank Jones' Company D - MS 6 Miscellaneous Rangers

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2. Frank Jones' Company D 1887 - MS 6 Miscellaneous Rangers

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3. Texas Rangers Company D - MS 6 Miscellaneous Rangers

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