Don Wildman

The expulsion of natives brought more settlers into Texas.

The ranges found themselves dealing more and more with internal issues of the Anglo population.

They become more akin to the local police force.

They earned the nickname Prairie Patrolmen.

So it's a fascinating thing to see over a 30-year period, 30, 40-year period, really, how this group changes its role in this ever-changing society.

They're infamously known for their star.

When did they start wearing those shiny little stars?

By the turn of the 20th century, leaping ahead here, the need for rangers was called into question as those frontier settlements and townships began establishing their own enforcement.

In 1918, the Porvenir Massacre happens.

Very ugly incident.

Tell me about that.

After the break, Ben and I will discuss how the Rangers rise above all of these controversies and attain a legendary shining star status.

Ben, we've covered a few of the darker chapters in the history of the Texas Rangers.

Somehow, though, they attain a legendary status in American culture.

How does this reinvention happen?

Who is responsible and what made the turn?

There's also, though, an increased professionalism about the Rangers in terms of the organization.

At some point, they're integrated into the Department of Public Safety, 1935, right?

But there was a Texas State Police, I mean, it goes back to the 1800s, who were later disbanded.

Was it because Texans related to the Rangers more than the cops?