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Law Enforcement: Authenticated and I.D.'d Early Texas Ranger Badge Belonging to John Henry Wilmoth....
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Sold on Apr 26, 2024 for:
$11,250.00
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Description
Law Enforcement: Authenticated and I.D.'d Early Texas Ranger Badge Belonging to John Henry Wilmoth. An important piece of Texana, this is an early circa 1920's Texas Ranger badge once belonging to Private John Henry Wilmoth who enlisted as a Texas Ranger in Tyler, Texas in 1922. The badge is accompanied by copies of his enlistment papers, various certificates including Warrants of Authority from the State of Texas, a signed Oath of Members [to the] Special Ranger Force, a document titled "Enlistment, Oath of Service, and Description Ranger Force", various registration forms, and copies of historic newspaper clippings, all of which were verified by The Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum in Waco, Texas. Byron A. Johnson, The Director of the museum in 2018 had this to say, "As the badge has a great deal of well-documented provenance associated with it, a rarity for many purported late 19th and early 20th century badges, we hope you will allow us to keep a copy of the photo for research and reference purposes." The museum also stated to our consignor that "this was one of the best looking badges from the 1920's era that we have seen".J.H. Wilmoth was born January 30, 1883 in Johnson County, Arkansas. After enlisting as a Private in the Texas Rangers on September 1, 1922 he was assigned to a station in Texarkana where he served until he was discharged from the Rangers on November 9, 1925 for reasons unknown. He then went to work as a special agent for the Kansas City Southern Railroad. Wilmoth was a violent man who often beat his family mercilessly. He died at age 41 in the early morning hours of November 19, 1925 from a shotgun blast to the chest delivered by his wife as he was beating their 17 year old son nearly unto death. Wilmoth died instantly and his wife who was reported to be hysterical after the shooting was not arrested, instead she was placed under guard at the family home. A warrant was issued charging Mrs. J. H. Wilmoth with murder. She was eventually brought before a grand jury where a short trial ensued. She was released on $1,000 bond which she paid. Four copies of various newspaper stories covering this tragic incident are also included with this lot.
Most Texas Ranger badges remain with family descendants of those who served. They are cherished family heirlooms and for that reason rarely come to market. Our consignor is the great grandson of J. H. Wilmoth and has decided to pass this family relic to a collector who will appreciate it, keeping only copies of the documents for his personal family records. It is important to note that prior to 1935 there were no official Texas Ranger badges. If you wanted to have a badge you had to pay for it out of pocket and have it made. Most were crudely made from silver coinage usually Mexican. This badge is hammered from a 35mm silver coin and inscribed "Texas State Ranger" with the initials "J.H.W." inscribed into the center of the star. It is one of the earliest and "best looking" examples of a Texas Ranger Badge that you are likely to find. A true Texas treasure!
Condition: Fine with minimal wear.
Auction Info
2024 April 26 - 27 Americana & Political Signature® Auction #6286 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
April, 2024
26th-27th
Friday-Saturday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 3
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 1,187
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
25% on the first $1,000,000 (minimum $49), plus 20% of any amount between $1,000,000 and $5,000,000, plus 15% of any amount over $5,000,000 per lot.
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