Leander H. McNelly papers, 1873-1933 (bulk 1880-1910).

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Leander H. McNelly papers, 1873-1933 (bulk 1880-1910).

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/55223959

Legal documents, correspondence, printed materials, and a photograph document the final four years in the life of Leander H. McNelly. The legal authority for McNelly's work is recorded with a certified copy of S.B. 259 constituting the Rangers, and commissions from the State of Texas (1874, 1876) and the U.S. Marshall's office (1873, 1874). Of particular interest is an oath of office and an affidavit signed by Maverick Co. Sheriff C.J. Cook on June 5, 1876, appointing McNelly a deputy sheriff. This occurred the day after King Fisher was captured and allowed McNelly to transport his prisoner legally to Eagle Pass. Petitions from the citizens of DeWitt Co. (1875) and Blanco and Gillespie Cos. (1876) reveal the impact McNelly and his troop of Texas Rangers had on the communities in which they served. Resolutions (5) composed by the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Masons record McNelly's standing in the community at the time of his death. Correspondence (4) received by McNelly documents his work in the Texas Rangers. Of particular interest are 2 letters (1875) resulting from McNelly's expolits in the Nueces Strip. The first, from Governor Richard Coke, commends McNelly. The second letter, from Frank Leslie, demonstrates the national interest in McNelly's company. An 1899 letter from N.A. Jennings, author of A Texas Ranger, discusses the success of the book with McNelly's widow. Two letters written by Carey to her nephew T.H. McNelly in 1933 provide the provenance of the collection. Printed materials contain two certificates documenting McNelly's good standing in the Labadie Lodge in Burton, Texas. Newspaper clippings (3) include the text of the 1874 proclamation by Governor Coke establishing the Special State Troops and an 1892 announcement of a Pension Roll for Rangers who served 1855-1860 in the Indian Wars. The cabinet photograph of Leander H. McNelly is undated. The provenance of an illustrated poem, "Father," is unknown.

30 items.

San Jacinto Museum of History

Information

SNAC Resource ID: 7692388

San Jacinto Museum of History

Related Entities

There are 5 Entities related to this resource.

McNelly, Leander H., 1843 or 1844-1877

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w68s6kdx (person)

Civil War hero and captain in the Texas State Police and the Texas Rangers, Leander H. McNelly was born in Virginia in 1844. His family moved to Washington Co., Texas, in 1860. McNelly joined the Confederate Army when 16 years old, afterwards returning to Brenham, where he married Carey Cheek. During the Edmund J. Davis administration he was one of 4 State Police captains. He was appointed a Deputy U.S. Marshall April 4, 1873. In July 1874 McNelly was commissioned captain of a 30 man volunteer m...

Leslie, Frank, 1821-1880

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6kk9rgr (person)

British born American publisher. From the description of Letters, 1875. (Getty Research Institute). WorldCat record id: 81189767 Frank Leslie (1821-1880) was an American engraver, illustrator and publisher of family periodicals. Born Henry Carter in Ipswich, England, he had an early interest in engraving and printing and by age 20 was superintendent of engraving for the Illustrated London News . He came to the United States in 1848 and began publishing illustrat...

Independent Order of Odd Fellows

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w60g79p0 (corporateBody)

Men's benevolent and fraternal organization. From the description of Independent Order of Oddfellows records, 1843-1901. (The South Carolina Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 36794006 The Independent Order of Odd Fellows in North America is a fraternal organization which originated in England. The I.O.O.F. became independent from the English Old Fellows Order in 1834 after lodges were established in New York and Baltimore. Charity Lodge No. 6 was established in Stockt...

Coke, Richard, 1839-1897

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6tm99gw (person)

Texas Rangers

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6cc4qkv (corporateBody)

In November 1835, Texas lawmakers created a corps of Texas Rangers to guard the frontier between the Brazos and Trinity Rivers. During the Texas Revolution and republic era, the Rangers were used principally for protection against Native American raids. After serving for the Confederacy in the Civil War, the organization was restructured as state police and charged with the enforcement of unpopular Reconstruction laws. The beginning of the 20th century saw the Rangers involved in de...