Early Sheriffs of Armstrong County, 1890-1926
Claude, Armstrong County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Inheriting peacekeeping duty from 1874-90 ranchers, the early sheriffs of Armstrong County (organized 1890) won great public regard. With their families, these men lived in jail quarters and fed the prisoners. There was no salary; fees were earned in civil and criminal process serving. Arrests were made for rustling and various other crimes. The earliest sheriffs were: John F. Wilson, 1890-92; Vince S. Terry, 1892-96; Pat H. Lynch, 1896-1904, 1919-24; Jeff D. Martin, 1904-06; W.A. (Bill) Davis, 1906-10; Ranzil C. Rodgers, 1910-14; James D. Woodburn, 1914-19, 1924-26. (1971)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
When Armstrong County organized in 1890, its first sheriffs inherited the peacekeeping once handled by ranchers on the open range. These lawmen earned no salary—only fees for serving civil and criminal process—and lived with their families in the jail quarters, even feeding the prisoners. From John F. Wilson through James D. Woodburn, they policed rustling and other crimes and won lasting respect in the young Panhandle county.
Why it matters
The marker preserves the frontier origins of local law enforcement, when the sheriff's household and the jail were one and the same.
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Related people
- · John F. Wilson
- · Vince S. Terry
- · Pat H. Lynch
- · Jeff D. Martin
- · W.A. Davis
- · Ranzil C. Rodgers
- · James D. Woodburn
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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