Six Years with the Texas Rangers, 1875 to 1881

"Six Years with the Texas Rangers, 1875 to 1881" by James B. Gillett is a memoir written in the early 1900s that brings to life the author's time as a Texas Ranger amidst the wild landscapes and struggles of the late 19th century. Gillett chronicles his journey from a young man drawn to the frontier life to a seasoned Ranger, capturing the spirit of adventure and the demanding realities of maintaining law and order. He sparks the narrative by recounting his upbringing in Austin, Texas, connecting his youthful dreams of frontier life with his eventual enlistment in the Rangers in June 1875, highlighting the bonds forged with his fellow Rangers as he prepares the reader for the tales of bravery, hardship, and the constant threat of danger that defined his years of service.