James B. Gillett

James Buchanan Gillett (November 4, 1856 – June 11, 1937) was a lawman of the Old West, mostly known for his service as a Texas Ranger. He is a member of the Texas Rangers Hall of Fame.

Early life

He was born in Austin, Texas. Gillett grew up working as a cowboy on local ranches.

Career

He joined the Texas Rangers in 1875, in Menard. Gillett initially served under Captain D. W. Roberts with "Company D", and later with Captain N. O. Reynolds and Captain G. W. Baylor. Baylor's daughter Helen later became his wife. Mostly assigned to the west Texas border regions, Gillett fought in numerous skirmishes with Kiowa, Apache, and Comanche Indians. He was involved in the July 21, 1878, killing of outlaw Sam Bass in Round Rock, Texas, when Bass was shot by Texas Ranger George Herold. Gillett later took part in settling the Mason County War and the Horrell-Higgins feud.

Gillett's fights with Indians and several other outlaws made him a legend. While under the command of Captain Baylor in January 1881, Gillett's company pursued a hostile band of Apache who had attacked a stagecoach. The Rangers surprised the band, killing six and scattering the rest. He pursued outlaw Dick Dublin that year, killing him in a gunfight.

Capture of the Baca brothers, resignation

On New Year's Eve, 1881, Gillett's friend, A. M. Conklin, was murdered in El Paso by the Baca brothers, after Conkiln was involved in a fight with Onefre Baca. Gillett and fellow Ranger George Lloyd set out in pursuit immediately after the killing. Tracking the brothers to their uncle's home, Gillett made it known they were there to bring the brothers in. The Uncle, Jose Baca, was a local Judge, and offered Gillett a $1,000 bribe to go away, which Gillett refused. Gillett and Lloyd captured the brothers at Jose Baca's house, with the exception of Onefre Baca.