Charles H. Fusselman
(1866-1890)
Like too many young Texas Rangers of the Frontier Battalion, Charles H. Fusselman is best remembered for his early death. He was killed in the line of duty by rustlers near El Paso, Texas, on April 17, 1890. Although nothing could compensate his family and friends for his untimely demise, they could find some satisfaction at least in knowing that justice was ultimately served in the legal hanging of his murderer.
Charles Henry Vanvalkenburg Fusselman was born July 16, 1866, in Greenbush, Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, the son of carpenter John and his wife Abbie. Naturally, he became known to all as Charley. There was one older brother, John, born about 1859.
During the 1870s, the Fusselmans located to Texas. Perhaps John's brother, Sam, had convinced him of the opportunities there, because by 1880, his family was in Corpus Christi, Nueces County, where Sam was raising stock with his wife and three children as early as 1870.
Not long after the 1880 census, John Fusselman moved his family to Lagarto in southeast Live Oak County. At that time, it was a thriving community which boasted the Lagarto College, a newspaper, two churches, two hotels, a steam cotton gin and gristmill, a school, and several general stores. Today, however, it is a ghost town where only the cemetery remains—and where Charley Fusselman is buried.
Why Fusselman joined the Texas Rangers is unknown, but he became part of the elite Company D as a private on May 25, 1888, at Realitos in southwestern Duval County. One of the most famous Texas Ranger photographs is of this company and was made the year Fusselman joined. Several of the Rangers shown, such as Baz Outlaw, became famous or notorious. Some who kept the Ranger star shining bright included J. Walter Durbin, Jim King, and Captain Frank Jones.
The name of C. H. Fusselman first appears in Ranger records on the May 1888 muster roll of Captain Jones, commander of Company D. The company was then stationed in Duval County. As 1st sergeant, Jones had Ira Aten, a Ranger who would later make a name for himself by recording his memoirs. J. Walter Durbin was 1st Corporal. Captain Jones received $100 per month, a 1st sergeant received $50, and a corporal got $35. The eleven privates in the company each earned $30 per month, while teamster John Lott received a scant $20.
Charley Fusselman was mustered in on May 25. The other privates were Cal G. Aten, Ira's younger brother; A. Dillard; John R. Hughes, who would later become known as one of the four great captains; Gerry "Walter" Jones, a brother of Captain Jones; James W. King; W.W. Jones; Baz L. Outlaw; Ernest Rogers; J.W. "Wood" Saunders; and Frank L. Schmid.
Fusselman is first highlighted in the records in October when the company was stationed at Rio Grande City in Starr County. On the 27th, Private Fusselman and one other Ranger were sent to Roma to oversee county elections. Their presence alone apparently prevented the contending parties from causing any disturbance, as nothing more is noted in the return. The pair was gone from camp two days and marched a total of thirty miles.
Any specific duties and activities performed during the next few months have not been recorded. Perhaps Fusselman was one of the privates who were part of a scout, never identified by name, rather than being in charge of one. In any case, the returns make no mention of him by name.
For a while at least, Fusselman and Privates Ernest Rogers and Cal Aten were on detached service with Captain James A. Brooks in Rio Grande City. He may have been one of the five men scouting in late October in Roma, where they arrested five men. Another man surrendered peacefully, as he felt he was as guilty as those who had been arrested! After being delivered to jail, the six prisoners were all "bailed out the same day." More exciting perhaps was the news that the stage between Rio Grande City and Pena had been held up by a single highwayman.
In March 1889, Fusselman and Corporal Durbin scouted to Zavala County to resolve a dispute between two former partners over ownership of a herd of cattle. When the joint venture had dissolved, one partner, instead of dividing the cattle, took the entire herd. His empty-handed partner charged the man with theft. The two Rangers caught up with the thief but could not immediately locate the herd. Fusselman delivered the bandit to jail in Uvalde, Uvalde County, while Durbin searched for the stolen cattle. He ultimately located them in a pasture near Cotulla, La Salle County.
Affairs were going from bad to worse in far West Texas, and a detachment was sent to Alpine. In the early seventies when the Frontier Battalion was first created, a detachment might number fifteen or twenty men. Now in a much slower economy, the state reduced the number of Rangers drastically. Walter Durbin was in charge of the detachment composed of B. L. Outlaw, Charles Barton, John Hughes, and Fusselman. Durbin had gone on ahead by train, and the detachment, going by horseback, did not reach Alpine until May 11, having made the long trek of 400 miles. Fusselman and two of the men arrested a trio of roughs on the 25th: Antonio and Casimer Beveles for rape, and Tonadolo Morales for assault to murder. They were delivered to Brewster County Sheriff ex-Ranger J. T. Gillespie.
Captain Jones' brother-in-law, William O. Grady, worked at the Fronteriza mines in Coahuila, Mexico, and requested several tough men to guard mining shipments. Durbin, Outlaw, and Hughes were eager for the work. On May 16, Outlaw resigned, with Durbin and Hughes leaving the service the following day. With the resignation of Corporal Durbin, an opening was in the ranks; Fusselman was recommended to fill the vacancy. Captain Jones, who greatly respected Durbin's opinion, made Charles H. Fusselman corporal of Company D to be effective on May 18, 1889. The captain may have had some reservation about his choice to replace Durbin, as he wrote to Captain L.P. Sieker: "Fusselman is a good man but is somewhat lacking in experience, he having been in the service only a year."
We know of one mano a mano gunfight in which Fusselman emerged the winner. He faced down and killed Donaciano Beslanga on June 4, 1889, at Maxon Spring, near Marathon, Texas. Fortunately, he was able to relax in Sheriff Gillespie's office afterwards. There he left a detailed account of the incident. On Tuesday, June 5, he penned the following account:
Yesterday morning while in discharge of my duty as Ranger I killed one mexican name Donaciano Beslanga. I will explain. Sunday eve as I road [sic] in to Alpine I met Capt Gillespie who had a telegram from Haymond station, stating that the now deceased had the town terorized. He had shot one man a bad flesh wound & was riding through town shooting & all was endanger of their lives. Capt Gillespie asked me to go with his Deputy & make the arrest. Well we took the 8.52 train & when we arrived at Haymond the now deceased had gone to Maxon Springs. We got a hand car & went down but did not find him & was informed over the wire that he was at Haymond. We returned on 3.20 train & the Deputy gave up & returned to Alpine. I stayed to try & find some other trace of him & found that he was at Maxon Springs & we had missed him by the [inadequate] description so I borowed a mule & went again to Maxon Springs found he had left at sun rise. I lay & watched his wife until 10 at night when a heavy storm blew up which drove now deceased in to camp his home for shelter. I run on him but he sliped by me as it was so dark.
I followed his course to watter tank & as I was looking under the tank for him lightning flashed & he shot at me at about 100 yards. I did not see where he was until he fired second shot then I run toward him & returned the shot. Lightning flashed & he was down on the track & fired several shots & run & I lost him as it was so dark & raining so hard. Next morning I got a rifle & took his trail at daylight when about 3/4 mile from Station I heard him cough. I went toward him & the instant I saw him he saw me & sprang up to his knees. I could see there was no chance of his giving up as he had a bad expression on his face so I fired as he did both at same time. Witnesses said that the two shots were so near together that they could just be distinguished then about 15 shots were exchanged. All this happened in about 20 seconds. I emptyed my gun, run in on him grabbed his gun & shot him once with pistol before he would give up. He was hit 8 times, 5 shots were fatal. He would of fought 10 minutes longer if I had not grabbed his gun & took it away from him. I then wired Gillespie who came at night with Justice & held inquest & we returned to Alpine. The officers all say I am justifyable in the killing as it was in self defence in the Discharge of my Duty. Please excuse this long explanation.
J.R. Dawson, justice of the peace of Precinct No. 1, recorded that "the deceased came to his death by gunshot wounds at the hands of Charles H. Fusselman while in the legal discharge of his duties as an officer that said Homicide was clearly Justifiable under the evidence."
This gunfight certainly contained elements that would make a great action scene in a western movie. It began on one day and continued the next, a torrential storm preventing clear visibility. One officer left the other to face the desperado alone. Shots were fired so close together they almost sounded as one. Flashes of gunfire - lightning flashes – and guns emptied. Fusselman established himself with this gunfight as a lawman to be taken seriously in spite of his brief Ranger experience.
Corporal Fusselman was at Fort Davis when he penned a letter to Captain L.P. Sieker requesting a copy of the Fugitives from Justice booklets. These were pamphlets providing the names and description of wanted men from all counties in the state. He obviously intended to make good use of these lists, anticipating that wanted men would try and lose themselves in the sparsely populated regions of West Texas. Wrote the corporal: "Will you be so kind as to forward me a Fugative [sic] list as it may proove [sic] of some benefit to me. " Parts I, II and III were sent out on June 17 to Fusselman.
Fusselman was eager for the hunt. On the 14th, he and one other Ranger went on a scout into Buchel County after cattle thieves. This time he was not successful: he had no gunfight or arrests. They were out eight days and marched a total of 175 miles. No sooner had the pair returned than on the next day, June 23, Fusselman and one other scouted into Reeves County. This time, they were successful: they arrested Manuel Trevino, charged with murder. This scout lasted three days and covered a total of 65 miles. They brought the prisoner back to Alpine and delivered him to Sheriff Gillespie.
Additional responsibilities had been placed on Fusselman during this month of June. On the 19th, U.S. Marshal Paul Fricke appointed him as a deputy. He believed the young Ranger could do good work in tracking down smugglers and "mescalleros," those who dealt in illegal alcohol. Initially, Captain Jones wanted Fusselman to reject the appointment. Fusselman did write out a letter of resignation, but Fricke was not satisfied: "I have declined to accept it [the resignation letter] until I can communicate with you . . . [as] the two positions dovetail." Ultimately, Jones allowed Fusselman to maintain his deputy marshal commission.
Even with the presence of a handful of Rangers, the citizens of this area of the state wanted more protection. On June 29, a petition was prepared and forwarded to Governor L.S. Ross. The petitioners "most respectfully represent that a force of rangers is absolutely necessary for the protection of the lives and property of the citizens of Presidio County."
The citizens' main concern was for the residents of the towns of Presidio, Pulvo, and Ruidosa. The petition contended that "stock is daily being stolen by lawless bands who have their rendezvous in the Sparsely settled sections of the Republic of Mexico." Recent anecdotal incidents were related. Ignacio Goodman, on June 21, was with another man when they were halted by masked men and robbed of $450. About May 31, Francisco Vasquez was robbed of forty head of horses. A short time before this, Messrs. Norman and Morgan lost fifty head of horses and mares to thieves, and R.C. Daly lost sixty-five. Small ranchers "are continually being depredated upon."
On June 1, Felix Hernandez lost thirty-five head of horses, and "we are reliably informed that the Mexican authorities contemplate placing a force of mexican troops at and near the town of Ojinga opposite Presidio for the purpose of chasing these lawless characters out of that country." If this would happen, the lives and property of the citizens of Texas in Presidio County "will be at the mercy of these characters unless a body of rangers are stationed at or near Presidio." No ranger company was sent to Presidio County, but a letter was forwarded to Fusselman and one to Judge P.F. Edwards of El Paso, making them aware of the serious concerns of the citizenry. The governor was at least aware, even if he did not respond affirmatively to their needs.
Fusselman's close call with death was not repeated, so far as known, but he was continually in potentially dangerous situations, dealing with thieves, smugglers, and killers. In July, he went to Shafter in search of stagecoach robbers. Although he did not track them down, he did arrest one Tovario Quintella for "rudely displaying a pistol." This was a 220-mile march, and Fusselman was absent from Alpine for ten days.
No sooner had Fusselman returned than he went out again, this time with three men. They scouted in Presidio County under orders from Adjutant General King "to investigate reported robberies and theft." On this scout, Fusselman arrested Jesus Mendoza and one Gregoria, both charged with horse theft. This was a nine-day scout covering 200 miles. The stage robber now had an identity: James Webb. On July 22, Fusselman scouted in Brewster County for him, but failed to find him.
At Fort Davis on July 20, Fusselman wrote a long letter to Captain Sieker detailing "a few of the crimes commited [sic] on the river." He wrote not only of the crimes but also of the people living there:
The river is all settled up on both sides by farmers, from Polvo to Rio Daso [sic, Ruidosa.] on this side there is 2000 inhabitants of which 300 are at Presidio 150 at Polvo 100 at Rio Dosa the balance scattered along the river[.] on the other side there is 6,000 inhabitants of which 1000 are at Presidio Del norte. It appears that the most of the tillible soil is in mexico side, the river is fordable at all Points.
Now Fusselman wrote as if he had been a long time in the service:
I have Ranged from Brownsville to this place. This frontier is more in kneed [sic] of rangers than any section I ever was in & I think it truly nesicary that a company or at least a squad of 5 or 6 be stationed at Presidio. They may not be able to make many arrests but their presents [sic] will civilize the country. In regard to the county there is no grass & watter together within 40 miles of Presidio it has not rained there in 1 year & if it should the soil will not grow grass. There is grass 8 miles from Presidio but no watter nearer than Presidio.
Scouting activities in August were similar to those in the preceding months. On August 2, Fusselman and one other scouted to the Rio Grande in south Presidio County and arrested two men charged with horse theft, Juan Riduquiz and Ricordo Bolvusialo. They were jailed, and the Rangers continued on. This scout lasted fourteen days, and the men covered 278 miles. Following this, Fusselman and one other spent six days guarding the jail in Jeff Davis County in order to give their horses as well as themselves a rest from riding.
The September-December monthly returns for the balance of 1889 are similar to the preceding ones in reporting Fusselman's activities. He was almost daily out on scouts, making arrests for all types of illegal acts: theft of a saddle, horse theft, smuggling, assault to murder, tracking a jail escapee, arresting cattle thieves. In addition, he had to attend court. In these four months, Fusselman logged 1,020 miles on official business!
By late November, Fusselman was wanting a break from service and requested permission to spend some time at home with his family. He wrote Adjutant General King:
I have Ranged since May 1888 & have never had a furlough. I was a private until June 1st then Corpl until Aug 20 & now am Sergt & you will confer a great favor on me if you will grant me about 15 days furlough. I want to leave here about the 12 of Dec & return the 27 of Dec spending Xmas at home which is in Live Oak Co Texas.
Presumably Fusselman's request was granted as his name does not appear in the records until February 1890.
Fusselman's concern for the citizens of the country is frequently seen in his letters to his superiors. In February, he wrote to Captain Sieker asking him to come and make his own investigation. "Since Aug 17th 1889 there has been 7 murders committed in & near Presidio Co & the murderers taken refuge in Mexico & some of them American citizens. No steps can be taken to get them. The Mexicans in Mexico seems to uphold them."
More immediate concerns required his attention, however. Two of his mules became "locoed" and at least one of them would never be worth anything. He had tried "everything he could think of to cure her without success." While concerned over transportation needs, Fusselman was still making arrests. On March 2, he scouted to the Rio Grande and arrested Alexander Lena and Severano Lijan for horse theft. This four-day scout covered 150 miles. On the 11th, he and one other Ranger scouted in Brewster County after Bill Taylor and John Barnhart, but they were unsuccessful this time. It was a four-day march covering 130 miles. On the 14th, he arrested one Ocon for smuggling in Jeff Davis County, and on March 17, he arrested Lebrado Angelan for horse theft in Presidio County.
Then Charles H. Fusselman was called to attend court in El Paso. It was April 17, 1890, when he by chance was in El Paso County Sheriff James H. White's office visiting with Deputy Frank B. Simmons and ex-Ranger George Herold. Rancher John Barnes rushed in to report that rustlers had raided his ranch and stolen all his horses and some of his cattle. After trailing them for a short distance, he had wisely decided it was too dangerous to follow them alone and requested help. As Deputy Simmons could not leave the office unattended, Fusselman volunteered to go along with Herold and Barnes. Herold had extensive experience serving in the Civil War, going up against raiding Indians and outlaws, and serving as city marshal of Laredo. In contrast to Fusselman's youth, Herold was nearly sixty years old.
The lawmen quickly found the trail and caught up with Ysidoro Pasos, one of the rustlers who had been posted as a lookout on the back trail. He was taken and tied up. Fusselman then led the posse into one of the Franklin Mountains' many canyons. Barnes held the reins of the captured thief's horse when they located several of the stolen animals. Believing them abandoned by the thieves, the lawmen apparently let down their guard.
Unknowingly, they had entered the rustlers' camp. Ambushed! It was every man for himself. When the gunfire erupted, Fusselman called out, "Boys, we are in for it, and lets stay with it!" Almost immediately, Fusselman fell dead, the victim of an outlaw's Winchester bullets.
Not knowing how many rustlers might lie ahead in ambush, Barnes and Herold left their dead companion instead of risking their own lives. Instead of fighting the outlaws in the tradition of the western movies, they let go of the reins of Pasos' horse and hastened back - Herold to El Paso and Barnes to his ranch. The rustlers fled the scene as well, not knowing if other lawmen were coming or not.
Sheriff White organized a posse of a half dozen men, "six of the most fearless men in the county," according to one report. He sent them out in pursuit of the thieves and murderers. They were followed by a wagonload of provisions.
In spite of the determination of the posse, the trail was lost in the rough Franklin Mountains. Fusselman's body was found and taken to El Paso's Star Stable undertaking establishment. Initially, he was buried in El Paso's Concordia cemetery but, within days, brother John Fusselman arrived in El Paso and had the body exhumed and delivered to the Lagarto Cemetery. Corporal Fusselman was laid to rest for the second and final time on April 29, 1890. His grave is marked by a tall but damaged obelisk. He was only twenty-three when he was killed.
Fusselman's Ranger companion, Cal G. Aten, wrote the following to Captain Sieker a few days after Fusselman's death:
A good boy and energetic ranger has been laid away through the deviltry of a lot of cowardly thieves and murderers in which this country abounds. Much regret is expressed here among the people and I hardly know what we can do without him.
Ultimately, Geronimo Parra, a well-known rustler along the Mexican border, was identified as the man who killed Charles Fusselman. His life had been one of anger and desperate combat, the evidence of which was obvious by the bullet and knife wounds on his body. Jailed for burglary in 1891, he escaped but was captured later that year. When released, he was shot and wounded by a Las Cruces, New Mexico, Deputy Sheriff Ben Williams. He was again in prison in early 1894 for assault to murder and burglary.
Ranger John R. Hughes, now a captain of Company D following the death of Captain Frank Jones, learned of Parra's incarceration and wanted him in Texas to stand trial for Fusselman's murder. For help, he turned to noted lawman Pat Garrett, the slayer of Billy the Kid. By chance, Garrett was in pursuit of Pat Agnew, a bandit who was known to be in Texas. The two lawmen agreed that if Hughes could capture Agnew and turn him over, Garrett would use his influence to have Parra turned over to Hughes. Hughes succeeded, and Garrett kept his part of the bargain: Parra was soon in Hughes' custody.
Parra stood trial for murder and was found guilty mainly upon the testimony of George Herold, who identified him as the assassin. In El Paso on October 6, 1898 - over eight years after Fusselman's death - Parra was convicted and sentenced to hang. The killer appealed. The sentence was affirmed and Parra was to be executed on January 5, 1900. Antonio Flores was scheduled to die with him in a double execution. As the two men were taken from their cells to the gallows, they both produced handmade knives and began stabbing at anyone nearby. Their efforts were fruitless. No one was seriously injured and both were quickly subdued.
The trap door dropped under Flores first. Deputies then attempted to remove the rope from Flores to be used on Parra, but they found it could not be loosened easily because it had not been properly stretched. Deputies then hauled Flores' body up through the trap door and laid it at the feet of the waiting Parra. The rope was finally removed from Flores' neck and placed around Parra's. Then he too dropped through the trap door into eternity.
Parra had been allowed to make a final statement. He claimed innocence in the murder, forgave all, and asked for forgiveness. About one hundred spectators witnessed the grisly scene, including several who had served with Fusselman during his brief Ranger career–– and Captain John R. Hughes.
As a final tribute to young Fusselman, the canyon where he was killed is now named Fusselman Canyon.
Source: Chuck Parsons, Texas Ranger Dispatch Magazine.
Additional account from U.S. Marshals Service:
Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Thursday, April 17, 1890
Incident Location: Texas
Weapon Used: Rifle; Winchester
Suspect Info: Hanged
Charles Henry Vanvalkenburg (Charley) Fusselman joined Company D of the Frontier Battalion of the Texas Rangers in Duval County on May 25, 1888 at age 21. On May 18, 1889, he was promoted to Corporal. On June 4, 1889, Corporal Fusselman killed a man he was attempting to arrest at Marathon in a gun battle where 15 shots were fired in less than 20 minutes, and Fusselman shot the man eight times. On June 19, 1889, the U.S. Marshal appointed him a deputy U.S. Marshal. He offered to resign his ranger commission, but Captain Frank Jones allowed him to retain both commissions. By November 1889 he had been promoted to sergeant.
On April 17, 1890, Sergeant Fusselman was in El Paso to attend court. While at the El Paso County Sheriff's Office, a rancher named Barnes came in to complain that some bandits had stolen a number of his cattle. The deputy sheriff could not leave the office so Fusselman agreed to accompany Barnes and a 60-year old former ranger and lawman, George Herold, in chasing the rustlers. They quickly captured one of the rustlers who was a lookout. The three men found the cattle and assumed the rustlers had fled. They were ambushed and Fusselman was killed by the rustlers. Herold and Barnes had to flee. A posse could not find the rustlers.
Ultimately, Geronimo Parra, a well-known rustler along the Mexican border, was identified as the man who killed Charles Fusselman. John R. Hughes, Captain of Company D, learned of Parra's incarceration in New Mexico. Hughes asked Sheriff Pat Garrett, the killer of Billy the Kid, to deliver Parra to Texas in return for a prisoner Garrett wanted that the rangers held. On October 6, 1898 - over eight years after Fusselman's death - Parra was convicted and sentenced to hang. Parra was executed on January 5, 1900.
Although Charley Fusselman had been involved in numerous shootings and scrapes with bandits, and he was promoted to Sergeant in the Texas Rangers and given an appointment as a Deputy U. S. Marshal, he was only 23 years old when he was killed. He was buried in the Lagarto Cemetery in Live Oak County. The canyon in the Franklin Mountains in El Paso County where Fusselman was killed is now named Fusselman Canyon.
Additional info received from F.A.G. volunteer: 46928071, as follows:
Mar 14, 1899 is a correction of the date prisoner Parra was received from Pat Garrett. It is from a newspaper clipping in my file.
∼This information was found in a listing of burials in the Old Lagarto Cemetery in the book "Lagarto A Collection of Rememberances" by Hattie Mae Hinnant New.
(1866-1890)
Like too many young Texas Rangers of the Frontier Battalion, Charles H. Fusselman is best remembered for his early death. He was killed in the line of duty by rustlers near El Paso, Texas, on April 17, 1890. Although nothing could compensate his family and friends for his untimely demise, they could find some satisfaction at least in knowing that justice was ultimately served in the legal hanging of his murderer.
Charles Henry Vanvalkenburg Fusselman was born July 16, 1866, in Greenbush, Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, the son of carpenter John and his wife Abbie. Naturally, he became known to all as Charley. There was one older brother, John, born about 1859.
During the 1870s, the Fusselmans located to Texas. Perhaps John's brother, Sam, had convinced him of the opportunities there, because by 1880, his family was in Corpus Christi, Nueces County, where Sam was raising stock with his wife and three children as early as 1870.
Not long after the 1880 census, John Fusselman moved his family to Lagarto in southeast Live Oak County. At that time, it was a thriving community which boasted the Lagarto College, a newspaper, two churches, two hotels, a steam cotton gin and gristmill, a school, and several general stores. Today, however, it is a ghost town where only the cemetery remains—and where Charley Fusselman is buried.
Why Fusselman joined the Texas Rangers is unknown, but he became part of the elite Company D as a private on May 25, 1888, at Realitos in southwestern Duval County. One of the most famous Texas Ranger photographs is of this company and was made the year Fusselman joined. Several of the Rangers shown, such as Baz Outlaw, became famous or notorious. Some who kept the Ranger star shining bright included J. Walter Durbin, Jim King, and Captain Frank Jones.
The name of C. H. Fusselman first appears in Ranger records on the May 1888 muster roll of Captain Jones, commander of Company D. The company was then stationed in Duval County. As 1st sergeant, Jones had Ira Aten, a Ranger who would later make a name for himself by recording his memoirs. J. Walter Durbin was 1st Corporal. Captain Jones received $100 per month, a 1st sergeant received $50, and a corporal got $35. The eleven privates in the company each earned $30 per month, while teamster John Lott received a scant $20.
Charley Fusselman was mustered in on May 25. The other privates were Cal G. Aten, Ira's younger brother; A. Dillard; John R. Hughes, who would later become known as one of the four great captains; Gerry "Walter" Jones, a brother of Captain Jones; James W. King; W.W. Jones; Baz L. Outlaw; Ernest Rogers; J.W. "Wood" Saunders; and Frank L. Schmid.
Fusselman is first highlighted in the records in October when the company was stationed at Rio Grande City in Starr County. On the 27th, Private Fusselman and one other Ranger were sent to Roma to oversee county elections. Their presence alone apparently prevented the contending parties from causing any disturbance, as nothing more is noted in the return. The pair was gone from camp two days and marched a total of thirty miles.
Any specific duties and activities performed during the next few months have not been recorded. Perhaps Fusselman was one of the privates who were part of a scout, never identified by name, rather than being in charge of one. In any case, the returns make no mention of him by name.
For a while at least, Fusselman and Privates Ernest Rogers and Cal Aten were on detached service with Captain James A. Brooks in Rio Grande City. He may have been one of the five men scouting in late October in Roma, where they arrested five men. Another man surrendered peacefully, as he felt he was as guilty as those who had been arrested! After being delivered to jail, the six prisoners were all "bailed out the same day." More exciting perhaps was the news that the stage between Rio Grande City and Pena had been held up by a single highwayman.
In March 1889, Fusselman and Corporal Durbin scouted to Zavala County to resolve a dispute between two former partners over ownership of a herd of cattle. When the joint venture had dissolved, one partner, instead of dividing the cattle, took the entire herd. His empty-handed partner charged the man with theft. The two Rangers caught up with the thief but could not immediately locate the herd. Fusselman delivered the bandit to jail in Uvalde, Uvalde County, while Durbin searched for the stolen cattle. He ultimately located them in a pasture near Cotulla, La Salle County.
Affairs were going from bad to worse in far West Texas, and a detachment was sent to Alpine. In the early seventies when the Frontier Battalion was first created, a detachment might number fifteen or twenty men. Now in a much slower economy, the state reduced the number of Rangers drastically. Walter Durbin was in charge of the detachment composed of B. L. Outlaw, Charles Barton, John Hughes, and Fusselman. Durbin had gone on ahead by train, and the detachment, going by horseback, did not reach Alpine until May 11, having made the long trek of 400 miles. Fusselman and two of the men arrested a trio of roughs on the 25th: Antonio and Casimer Beveles for rape, and Tonadolo Morales for assault to murder. They were delivered to Brewster County Sheriff ex-Ranger J. T. Gillespie.
Captain Jones' brother-in-law, William O. Grady, worked at the Fronteriza mines in Coahuila, Mexico, and requested several tough men to guard mining shipments. Durbin, Outlaw, and Hughes were eager for the work. On May 16, Outlaw resigned, with Durbin and Hughes leaving the service the following day. With the resignation of Corporal Durbin, an opening was in the ranks; Fusselman was recommended to fill the vacancy. Captain Jones, who greatly respected Durbin's opinion, made Charles H. Fusselman corporal of Company D to be effective on May 18, 1889. The captain may have had some reservation about his choice to replace Durbin, as he wrote to Captain L.P. Sieker: "Fusselman is a good man but is somewhat lacking in experience, he having been in the service only a year."
We know of one mano a mano gunfight in which Fusselman emerged the winner. He faced down and killed Donaciano Beslanga on June 4, 1889, at Maxon Spring, near Marathon, Texas. Fortunately, he was able to relax in Sheriff Gillespie's office afterwards. There he left a detailed account of the incident. On Tuesday, June 5, he penned the following account:
Yesterday morning while in discharge of my duty as Ranger I killed one mexican name Donaciano Beslanga. I will explain. Sunday eve as I road [sic] in to Alpine I met Capt Gillespie who had a telegram from Haymond station, stating that the now deceased had the town terorized. He had shot one man a bad flesh wound & was riding through town shooting & all was endanger of their lives. Capt Gillespie asked me to go with his Deputy & make the arrest. Well we took the 8.52 train & when we arrived at Haymond the now deceased had gone to Maxon Springs. We got a hand car & went down but did not find him & was informed over the wire that he was at Haymond. We returned on 3.20 train & the Deputy gave up & returned to Alpine. I stayed to try & find some other trace of him & found that he was at Maxon Springs & we had missed him by the [inadequate] description so I borowed a mule & went again to Maxon Springs found he had left at sun rise. I lay & watched his wife until 10 at night when a heavy storm blew up which drove now deceased in to camp his home for shelter. I run on him but he sliped by me as it was so dark.
I followed his course to watter tank & as I was looking under the tank for him lightning flashed & he shot at me at about 100 yards. I did not see where he was until he fired second shot then I run toward him & returned the shot. Lightning flashed & he was down on the track & fired several shots & run & I lost him as it was so dark & raining so hard. Next morning I got a rifle & took his trail at daylight when about 3/4 mile from Station I heard him cough. I went toward him & the instant I saw him he saw me & sprang up to his knees. I could see there was no chance of his giving up as he had a bad expression on his face so I fired as he did both at same time. Witnesses said that the two shots were so near together that they could just be distinguished then about 15 shots were exchanged. All this happened in about 20 seconds. I emptyed my gun, run in on him grabbed his gun & shot him once with pistol before he would give up. He was hit 8 times, 5 shots were fatal. He would of fought 10 minutes longer if I had not grabbed his gun & took it away from him. I then wired Gillespie who came at night with Justice & held inquest & we returned to Alpine. The officers all say I am justifyable in the killing as it was in self defence in the Discharge of my Duty. Please excuse this long explanation.
J.R. Dawson, justice of the peace of Precinct No. 1, recorded that "the deceased came to his death by gunshot wounds at the hands of Charles H. Fusselman while in the legal discharge of his duties as an officer that said Homicide was clearly Justifiable under the evidence."
This gunfight certainly contained elements that would make a great action scene in a western movie. It began on one day and continued the next, a torrential storm preventing clear visibility. One officer left the other to face the desperado alone. Shots were fired so close together they almost sounded as one. Flashes of gunfire - lightning flashes – and guns emptied. Fusselman established himself with this gunfight as a lawman to be taken seriously in spite of his brief Ranger experience.
Corporal Fusselman was at Fort Davis when he penned a letter to Captain L.P. Sieker requesting a copy of the Fugitives from Justice booklets. These were pamphlets providing the names and description of wanted men from all counties in the state. He obviously intended to make good use of these lists, anticipating that wanted men would try and lose themselves in the sparsely populated regions of West Texas. Wrote the corporal: "Will you be so kind as to forward me a Fugative [sic] list as it may proove [sic] of some benefit to me. " Parts I, II and III were sent out on June 17 to Fusselman.
Fusselman was eager for the hunt. On the 14th, he and one other Ranger went on a scout into Buchel County after cattle thieves. This time he was not successful: he had no gunfight or arrests. They were out eight days and marched a total of 175 miles. No sooner had the pair returned than on the next day, June 23, Fusselman and one other scouted into Reeves County. This time, they were successful: they arrested Manuel Trevino, charged with murder. This scout lasted three days and covered a total of 65 miles. They brought the prisoner back to Alpine and delivered him to Sheriff Gillespie.
Additional responsibilities had been placed on Fusselman during this month of June. On the 19th, U.S. Marshal Paul Fricke appointed him as a deputy. He believed the young Ranger could do good work in tracking down smugglers and "mescalleros," those who dealt in illegal alcohol. Initially, Captain Jones wanted Fusselman to reject the appointment. Fusselman did write out a letter of resignation, but Fricke was not satisfied: "I have declined to accept it [the resignation letter] until I can communicate with you . . . [as] the two positions dovetail." Ultimately, Jones allowed Fusselman to maintain his deputy marshal commission.
Even with the presence of a handful of Rangers, the citizens of this area of the state wanted more protection. On June 29, a petition was prepared and forwarded to Governor L.S. Ross. The petitioners "most respectfully represent that a force of rangers is absolutely necessary for the protection of the lives and property of the citizens of Presidio County."
The citizens' main concern was for the residents of the towns of Presidio, Pulvo, and Ruidosa. The petition contended that "stock is daily being stolen by lawless bands who have their rendezvous in the Sparsely settled sections of the Republic of Mexico." Recent anecdotal incidents were related. Ignacio Goodman, on June 21, was with another man when they were halted by masked men and robbed of $450. About May 31, Francisco Vasquez was robbed of forty head of horses. A short time before this, Messrs. Norman and Morgan lost fifty head of horses and mares to thieves, and R.C. Daly lost sixty-five. Small ranchers "are continually being depredated upon."
On June 1, Felix Hernandez lost thirty-five head of horses, and "we are reliably informed that the Mexican authorities contemplate placing a force of mexican troops at and near the town of Ojinga opposite Presidio for the purpose of chasing these lawless characters out of that country." If this would happen, the lives and property of the citizens of Texas in Presidio County "will be at the mercy of these characters unless a body of rangers are stationed at or near Presidio." No ranger company was sent to Presidio County, but a letter was forwarded to Fusselman and one to Judge P.F. Edwards of El Paso, making them aware of the serious concerns of the citizenry. The governor was at least aware, even if he did not respond affirmatively to their needs.
Fusselman's close call with death was not repeated, so far as known, but he was continually in potentially dangerous situations, dealing with thieves, smugglers, and killers. In July, he went to Shafter in search of stagecoach robbers. Although he did not track them down, he did arrest one Tovario Quintella for "rudely displaying a pistol." This was a 220-mile march, and Fusselman was absent from Alpine for ten days.
No sooner had Fusselman returned than he went out again, this time with three men. They scouted in Presidio County under orders from Adjutant General King "to investigate reported robberies and theft." On this scout, Fusselman arrested Jesus Mendoza and one Gregoria, both charged with horse theft. This was a nine-day scout covering 200 miles. The stage robber now had an identity: James Webb. On July 22, Fusselman scouted in Brewster County for him, but failed to find him.
At Fort Davis on July 20, Fusselman wrote a long letter to Captain Sieker detailing "a few of the crimes commited [sic] on the river." He wrote not only of the crimes but also of the people living there:
The river is all settled up on both sides by farmers, from Polvo to Rio Daso [sic, Ruidosa.] on this side there is 2000 inhabitants of which 300 are at Presidio 150 at Polvo 100 at Rio Dosa the balance scattered along the river[.] on the other side there is 6,000 inhabitants of which 1000 are at Presidio Del norte. It appears that the most of the tillible soil is in mexico side, the river is fordable at all Points.
Now Fusselman wrote as if he had been a long time in the service:
I have Ranged from Brownsville to this place. This frontier is more in kneed [sic] of rangers than any section I ever was in & I think it truly nesicary that a company or at least a squad of 5 or 6 be stationed at Presidio. They may not be able to make many arrests but their presents [sic] will civilize the country. In regard to the county there is no grass & watter together within 40 miles of Presidio it has not rained there in 1 year & if it should the soil will not grow grass. There is grass 8 miles from Presidio but no watter nearer than Presidio.
Scouting activities in August were similar to those in the preceding months. On August 2, Fusselman and one other scouted to the Rio Grande in south Presidio County and arrested two men charged with horse theft, Juan Riduquiz and Ricordo Bolvusialo. They were jailed, and the Rangers continued on. This scout lasted fourteen days, and the men covered 278 miles. Following this, Fusselman and one other spent six days guarding the jail in Jeff Davis County in order to give their horses as well as themselves a rest from riding.
The September-December monthly returns for the balance of 1889 are similar to the preceding ones in reporting Fusselman's activities. He was almost daily out on scouts, making arrests for all types of illegal acts: theft of a saddle, horse theft, smuggling, assault to murder, tracking a jail escapee, arresting cattle thieves. In addition, he had to attend court. In these four months, Fusselman logged 1,020 miles on official business!
By late November, Fusselman was wanting a break from service and requested permission to spend some time at home with his family. He wrote Adjutant General King:
I have Ranged since May 1888 & have never had a furlough. I was a private until June 1st then Corpl until Aug 20 & now am Sergt & you will confer a great favor on me if you will grant me about 15 days furlough. I want to leave here about the 12 of Dec & return the 27 of Dec spending Xmas at home which is in Live Oak Co Texas.
Presumably Fusselman's request was granted as his name does not appear in the records until February 1890.
Fusselman's concern for the citizens of the country is frequently seen in his letters to his superiors. In February, he wrote to Captain Sieker asking him to come and make his own investigation. "Since Aug 17th 1889 there has been 7 murders committed in & near Presidio Co & the murderers taken refuge in Mexico & some of them American citizens. No steps can be taken to get them. The Mexicans in Mexico seems to uphold them."
More immediate concerns required his attention, however. Two of his mules became "locoed" and at least one of them would never be worth anything. He had tried "everything he could think of to cure her without success." While concerned over transportation needs, Fusselman was still making arrests. On March 2, he scouted to the Rio Grande and arrested Alexander Lena and Severano Lijan for horse theft. This four-day scout covered 150 miles. On the 11th, he and one other Ranger scouted in Brewster County after Bill Taylor and John Barnhart, but they were unsuccessful this time. It was a four-day march covering 130 miles. On the 14th, he arrested one Ocon for smuggling in Jeff Davis County, and on March 17, he arrested Lebrado Angelan for horse theft in Presidio County.
Then Charles H. Fusselman was called to attend court in El Paso. It was April 17, 1890, when he by chance was in El Paso County Sheriff James H. White's office visiting with Deputy Frank B. Simmons and ex-Ranger George Herold. Rancher John Barnes rushed in to report that rustlers had raided his ranch and stolen all his horses and some of his cattle. After trailing them for a short distance, he had wisely decided it was too dangerous to follow them alone and requested help. As Deputy Simmons could not leave the office unattended, Fusselman volunteered to go along with Herold and Barnes. Herold had extensive experience serving in the Civil War, going up against raiding Indians and outlaws, and serving as city marshal of Laredo. In contrast to Fusselman's youth, Herold was nearly sixty years old.
The lawmen quickly found the trail and caught up with Ysidoro Pasos, one of the rustlers who had been posted as a lookout on the back trail. He was taken and tied up. Fusselman then led the posse into one of the Franklin Mountains' many canyons. Barnes held the reins of the captured thief's horse when they located several of the stolen animals. Believing them abandoned by the thieves, the lawmen apparently let down their guard.
Unknowingly, they had entered the rustlers' camp. Ambushed! It was every man for himself. When the gunfire erupted, Fusselman called out, "Boys, we are in for it, and lets stay with it!" Almost immediately, Fusselman fell dead, the victim of an outlaw's Winchester bullets.
Not knowing how many rustlers might lie ahead in ambush, Barnes and Herold left their dead companion instead of risking their own lives. Instead of fighting the outlaws in the tradition of the western movies, they let go of the reins of Pasos' horse and hastened back - Herold to El Paso and Barnes to his ranch. The rustlers fled the scene as well, not knowing if other lawmen were coming or not.
Sheriff White organized a posse of a half dozen men, "six of the most fearless men in the county," according to one report. He sent them out in pursuit of the thieves and murderers. They were followed by a wagonload of provisions.
In spite of the determination of the posse, the trail was lost in the rough Franklin Mountains. Fusselman's body was found and taken to El Paso's Star Stable undertaking establishment. Initially, he was buried in El Paso's Concordia cemetery but, within days, brother John Fusselman arrived in El Paso and had the body exhumed and delivered to the Lagarto Cemetery. Corporal Fusselman was laid to rest for the second and final time on April 29, 1890. His grave is marked by a tall but damaged obelisk. He was only twenty-three when he was killed.
Fusselman's Ranger companion, Cal G. Aten, wrote the following to Captain Sieker a few days after Fusselman's death:
A good boy and energetic ranger has been laid away through the deviltry of a lot of cowardly thieves and murderers in which this country abounds. Much regret is expressed here among the people and I hardly know what we can do without him.
Ultimately, Geronimo Parra, a well-known rustler along the Mexican border, was identified as the man who killed Charles Fusselman. His life had been one of anger and desperate combat, the evidence of which was obvious by the bullet and knife wounds on his body. Jailed for burglary in 1891, he escaped but was captured later that year. When released, he was shot and wounded by a Las Cruces, New Mexico, Deputy Sheriff Ben Williams. He was again in prison in early 1894 for assault to murder and burglary.
Ranger John R. Hughes, now a captain of Company D following the death of Captain Frank Jones, learned of Parra's incarceration and wanted him in Texas to stand trial for Fusselman's murder. For help, he turned to noted lawman Pat Garrett, the slayer of Billy the Kid. By chance, Garrett was in pursuit of Pat Agnew, a bandit who was known to be in Texas. The two lawmen agreed that if Hughes could capture Agnew and turn him over, Garrett would use his influence to have Parra turned over to Hughes. Hughes succeeded, and Garrett kept his part of the bargain: Parra was soon in Hughes' custody.
Parra stood trial for murder and was found guilty mainly upon the testimony of George Herold, who identified him as the assassin. In El Paso on October 6, 1898 - over eight years after Fusselman's death - Parra was convicted and sentenced to hang. The killer appealed. The sentence was affirmed and Parra was to be executed on January 5, 1900. Antonio Flores was scheduled to die with him in a double execution. As the two men were taken from their cells to the gallows, they both produced handmade knives and began stabbing at anyone nearby. Their efforts were fruitless. No one was seriously injured and both were quickly subdued.
The trap door dropped under Flores first. Deputies then attempted to remove the rope from Flores to be used on Parra, but they found it could not be loosened easily because it had not been properly stretched. Deputies then hauled Flores' body up through the trap door and laid it at the feet of the waiting Parra. The rope was finally removed from Flores' neck and placed around Parra's. Then he too dropped through the trap door into eternity.
Parra had been allowed to make a final statement. He claimed innocence in the murder, forgave all, and asked for forgiveness. About one hundred spectators witnessed the grisly scene, including several who had served with Fusselman during his brief Ranger career–– and Captain John R. Hughes.
As a final tribute to young Fusselman, the canyon where he was killed is now named Fusselman Canyon.
Source: Chuck Parsons, Texas Ranger Dispatch Magazine.
Additional account from U.S. Marshals Service:
Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Thursday, April 17, 1890
Incident Location: Texas
Weapon Used: Rifle; Winchester
Suspect Info: Hanged
Charles Henry Vanvalkenburg (Charley) Fusselman joined Company D of the Frontier Battalion of the Texas Rangers in Duval County on May 25, 1888 at age 21. On May 18, 1889, he was promoted to Corporal. On June 4, 1889, Corporal Fusselman killed a man he was attempting to arrest at Marathon in a gun battle where 15 shots were fired in less than 20 minutes, and Fusselman shot the man eight times. On June 19, 1889, the U.S. Marshal appointed him a deputy U.S. Marshal. He offered to resign his ranger commission, but Captain Frank Jones allowed him to retain both commissions. By November 1889 he had been promoted to sergeant.
On April 17, 1890, Sergeant Fusselman was in El Paso to attend court. While at the El Paso County Sheriff's Office, a rancher named Barnes came in to complain that some bandits had stolen a number of his cattle. The deputy sheriff could not leave the office so Fusselman agreed to accompany Barnes and a 60-year old former ranger and lawman, George Herold, in chasing the rustlers. They quickly captured one of the rustlers who was a lookout. The three men found the cattle and assumed the rustlers had fled. They were ambushed and Fusselman was killed by the rustlers. Herold and Barnes had to flee. A posse could not find the rustlers.
Ultimately, Geronimo Parra, a well-known rustler along the Mexican border, was identified as the man who killed Charles Fusselman. John R. Hughes, Captain of Company D, learned of Parra's incarceration in New Mexico. Hughes asked Sheriff Pat Garrett, the killer of Billy the Kid, to deliver Parra to Texas in return for a prisoner Garrett wanted that the rangers held. On October 6, 1898 - over eight years after Fusselman's death - Parra was convicted and sentenced to hang. Parra was executed on January 5, 1900.
Although Charley Fusselman had been involved in numerous shootings and scrapes with bandits, and he was promoted to Sergeant in the Texas Rangers and given an appointment as a Deputy U. S. Marshal, he was only 23 years old when he was killed. He was buried in the Lagarto Cemetery in Live Oak County. The canyon in the Franklin Mountains in El Paso County where Fusselman was killed is now named Fusselman Canyon.
Additional info received from F.A.G. volunteer: 46928071, as follows:
Mar 14, 1899 is a correction of the date prisoner Parra was received from Pat Garrett. It is from a newspaper clipping in my file.
∼This information was found in a listing of burials in the Old Lagarto Cemetery in the book "Lagarto A Collection of Rememberances" by Hattie Mae Hinnant New.
Charles H. Fusselman
(1866-1890)
Like too many young Texas Rangers of the Frontier Battalion, Charles H. Fusselman is best remembered for his early death. He was killed in the line of duty by rustlers near El Paso, Texas, on April 17, 1890. Although nothing could compensate his family and friends for his untimely demise, they could find some satisfaction at least in knowing that justice was ultimately served in the legal hanging of his murderer.
Charles Henry Vanvalkenburg Fusselman was born July 16, 1866, in Greenbush, Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, the son of carpenter John and his wife Abbie. Naturally, he became known to all as Charley. There was one older brother, John, born about 1859.
During the 1870s, the Fusselmans located to Texas. Perhaps John's brother, Sam, had convinced him of the opportunities there, because by 1880, his family was in Corpus Christi, Nueces County, where Sam was raising stock with his wife and three children as early as 1870.
Not long after the 1880 census, John Fusselman moved his family to Lagarto in southeast Live Oak County. At that time, it was a thriving community which boasted the Lagarto College, a newspaper, two churches, two hotels, a steam cotton gin and gristmill, a school, and several general stores. Today, however, it is a ghost town where only the cemetery remains—and where Charley Fusselman is buried.
Why Fusselman joined the Texas Rangers is unknown, but he became part of the elite Company D as a private on May 25, 1888, at Realitos in southwestern Duval County. One of the most famous Texas Ranger photographs is of this company and was made the year Fusselman joined. Several of the Rangers shown, such as Baz Outlaw, became famous or notorious. Some who kept the Ranger star shining bright included J. Walter Durbin, Jim King, and Captain Frank Jones.
The name of C. H. Fusselman first appears in Ranger records on the May 1888 muster roll of Captain Jones, commander of Company D. The company was then stationed in Duval County. As 1st sergeant, Jones had Ira Aten, a Ranger who would later make a name for himself by recording his memoirs. J. Walter Durbin was 1st Corporal. Captain Jones received $100 per month, a 1st sergeant received $50, and a corporal got $35. The eleven privates in the company each earned $30 per month, while teamster John Lott received a scant $20.
Charley Fusselman was mustered in on May 25. The other privates were Cal G. Aten, Ira's younger brother; A. Dillard; John R. Hughes, who would later become known as one of the four great captains; Gerry "Walter" Jones, a brother of Captain Jones; James W. King; W.W. Jones; Baz L. Outlaw; Ernest Rogers; J.W. "Wood" Saunders; and Frank L. Schmid.
Fusselman is first highlighted in the records in October when the company was stationed at Rio Grande City in Starr County. On the 27th, Private Fusselman and one other Ranger were sent to Roma to oversee county elections. Their presence alone apparently prevented the contending parties from causing any disturbance, as nothing more is noted in the return. The pair was gone from camp two days and marched a total of thirty miles.
Any specific duties and activities performed during the next few months have not been recorded. Perhaps Fusselman was one of the privates who were part of a scout, never identified by name, rather than being in charge of one. In any case, the returns make no mention of him by name.
For a while at least, Fusselman and Privates Ernest Rogers and Cal Aten were on detached service with Captain James A. Brooks in Rio Grande City. He may have been one of the five men scouting in late October in Roma, where they arrested five men. Another man surrendered peacefully, as he felt he was as guilty as those who had been arrested! After being delivered to jail, the six prisoners were all "bailed out the same day." More exciting perhaps was the news that the stage between Rio Grande City and Pena had been held up by a single highwayman.
In March 1889, Fusselman and Corporal Durbin scouted to Zavala County to resolve a dispute between two former partners over ownership of a herd of cattle. When the joint venture had dissolved, one partner, instead of dividing the cattle, took the entire herd. His empty-handed partner charged the man with theft. The two Rangers caught up with the thief but could not immediately locate the herd. Fusselman delivered the bandit to jail in Uvalde, Uvalde County, while Durbin searched for the stolen cattle. He ultimately located them in a pasture near Cotulla, La Salle County.
Affairs were going from bad to worse in far West Texas, and a detachment was sent to Alpine. In the early seventies when the Frontier Battalion was first created, a detachment might number fifteen or twenty men. Now in a much slower economy, the state reduced the number of Rangers drastically. Walter Durbin was in charge of the detachment composed of B. L. Outlaw, Charles Barton, John Hughes, and Fusselman. Durbin had gone on ahead by train, and the detachment, going by horseback, did not reach Alpine until May 11, having made the long trek of 400 miles. Fusselman and two of the men arrested a trio of roughs on the 25th: Antonio and Casimer Beveles for rape, and Tonadolo Morales for assault to murder. They were delivered to Brewster County Sheriff ex-Ranger J. T. Gillespie.
Captain Jones' brother-in-law, William O. Grady, worked at the Fronteriza mines in Coahuila, Mexico, and requested several tough men to guard mining shipments. Durbin, Outlaw, and Hughes were eager for the work. On May 16, Outlaw resigned, with Durbin and Hughes leaving the service the following day. With the resignation of Corporal Durbin, an opening was in the ranks; Fusselman was recommended to fill the vacancy. Captain Jones, who greatly respected Durbin's opinion, made Charles H. Fusselman corporal of Company D to be effective on May 18, 1889. The captain may have had some reservation about his choice to replace Durbin, as he wrote to Captain L.P. Sieker: "Fusselman is a good man but is somewhat lacking in experience, he having been in the service only a year."
We know of one mano a mano gunfight in which Fusselman emerged the winner. He faced down and killed Donaciano Beslanga on June 4, 1889, at Maxon Spring, near Marathon, Texas. Fortunately, he was able to relax in Sheriff Gillespie's office afterwards. There he left a detailed account of the incident. On Tuesday, June 5, he penned the following account:
Yesterday morning while in discharge of my duty as Ranger I killed one mexican name Donaciano Beslanga. I will explain. Sunday eve as I road [sic] in to Alpine I met Capt Gillespie who had a telegram from Haymond station, stating that the now deceased had the town terorized. He had shot one man a bad flesh wound & was riding through town shooting & all was endanger of their lives. Capt Gillespie asked me to go with his Deputy & make the arrest. Well we took the 8.52 train & when we arrived at Haymond the now deceased had gone to Maxon Springs. We got a hand car & went down but did not find him & was informed over the wire that he was at Haymond. We returned on 3.20 train & the Deputy gave up & returned to Alpine. I stayed to try & find some other trace of him & found that he was at Maxon Springs & we had missed him by the [inadequate] description so I borowed a mule & went again to Maxon Springs found he had left at sun rise. I lay & watched his wife until 10 at night when a heavy storm blew up which drove now deceased in to camp his home for shelter. I run on him but he sliped by me as it was so dark.
I followed his course to watter tank & as I was looking under the tank for him lightning flashed & he shot at me at about 100 yards. I did not see where he was until he fired second shot then I run toward him & returned the shot. Lightning flashed & he was down on the track & fired several shots & run & I lost him as it was so dark & raining so hard. Next morning I got a rifle & took his trail at daylight when about 3/4 mile from Station I heard him cough. I went toward him & the instant I saw him he saw me & sprang up to his knees. I could see there was no chance of his giving up as he had a bad expression on his face so I fired as he did both at same time. Witnesses said that the two shots were so near together that they could just be distinguished then about 15 shots were exchanged. All this happened in about 20 seconds. I emptyed my gun, run in on him grabbed his gun & shot him once with pistol before he would give up. He was hit 8 times, 5 shots were fatal. He would of fought 10 minutes longer if I had not grabbed his gun & took it away from him. I then wired Gillespie who came at night with Justice & held inquest & we returned to Alpine. The officers all say I am justifyable in the killing as it was in self defence in the Discharge of my Duty. Please excuse this long explanation.
J.R. Dawson, justice of the peace of Precinct No. 1, recorded that "the deceased came to his death by gunshot wounds at the hands of Charles H. Fusselman while in the legal discharge of his duties as an officer that said Homicide was clearly Justifiable under the evidence."
This gunfight certainly contained elements that would make a great action scene in a western movie. It began on one day and continued the next, a torrential storm preventing clear visibility. One officer left the other to face the desperado alone. Shots were fired so close together they almost sounded as one. Flashes of gunfire - lightning flashes – and guns emptied. Fusselman established himself with this gunfight as a lawman to be taken seriously in spite of his brief Ranger experience.
Corporal Fusselman was at Fort Davis when he penned a letter to Captain L.P. Sieker requesting a copy of the Fugitives from Justice booklets. These were pamphlets providing the names and description of wanted men from all counties in the state. He obviously intended to make good use of these lists, anticipating that wanted men would try and lose themselves in the sparsely populated regions of West Texas. Wrote the corporal: "Will you be so kind as to forward me a Fugative [sic] list as it may proove [sic] of some benefit to me. " Parts I, II and III were sent out on June 17 to Fusselman.
Fusselman was eager for the hunt. On the 14th, he and one other Ranger went on a scout into Buchel County after cattle thieves. This time he was not successful: he had no gunfight or arrests. They were out eight days and marched a total of 175 miles. No sooner had the pair returned than on the next day, June 23, Fusselman and one other scouted into Reeves County. This time, they were successful: they arrested Manuel Trevino, charged with murder. This scout lasted three days and covered a total of 65 miles. They brought the prisoner back to Alpine and delivered him to Sheriff Gillespie.
Additional responsibilities had been placed on Fusselman during this month of June. On the 19th, U.S. Marshal Paul Fricke appointed him as a deputy. He believed the young Ranger could do good work in tracking down smugglers and "mescalleros," those who dealt in illegal alcohol. Initially, Captain Jones wanted Fusselman to reject the appointment. Fusselman did write out a letter of resignation, but Fricke was not satisfied: "I have declined to accept it [the resignation letter] until I can communicate with you . . . [as] the two positions dovetail." Ultimately, Jones allowed Fusselman to maintain his deputy marshal commission.
Even with the presence of a handful of Rangers, the citizens of this area of the state wanted more protection. On June 29, a petition was prepared and forwarded to Governor L.S. Ross. The petitioners "most respectfully represent that a force of rangers is absolutely necessary for the protection of the lives and property of the citizens of Presidio County."
The citizens' main concern was for the residents of the towns of Presidio, Pulvo, and Ruidosa. The petition contended that "stock is daily being stolen by lawless bands who have their rendezvous in the Sparsely settled sections of the Republic of Mexico." Recent anecdotal incidents were related. Ignacio Goodman, on June 21, was with another man when they were halted by masked men and robbed of $450. About May 31, Francisco Vasquez was robbed of forty head of horses. A short time before this, Messrs. Norman and Morgan lost fifty head of horses and mares to thieves, and R.C. Daly lost sixty-five. Small ranchers "are continually being depredated upon."
On June 1, Felix Hernandez lost thirty-five head of horses, and "we are reliably informed that the Mexican authorities contemplate placing a force of mexican troops at and near the town of Ojinga opposite Presidio for the purpose of chasing these lawless characters out of that country." If this would happen, the lives and property of the citizens of Texas in Presidio County "will be at the mercy of these characters unless a body of rangers are stationed at or near Presidio." No ranger company was sent to Presidio County, but a letter was forwarded to Fusselman and one to Judge P.F. Edwards of El Paso, making them aware of the serious concerns of the citizenry. The governor was at least aware, even if he did not respond affirmatively to their needs.
Fusselman's close call with death was not repeated, so far as known, but he was continually in potentially dangerous situations, dealing with thieves, smugglers, and killers. In July, he went to Shafter in search of stagecoach robbers. Although he did not track them down, he did arrest one Tovario Quintella for "rudely displaying a pistol." This was a 220-mile march, and Fusselman was absent from Alpine for ten days.
No sooner had Fusselman returned than he went out again, this time with three men. They scouted in Presidio County under orders from Adjutant General King "to investigate reported robberies and theft." On this scout, Fusselman arrested Jesus Mendoza and one Gregoria, both charged with horse theft. This was a nine-day scout covering 200 miles. The stage robber now had an identity: James Webb. On July 22, Fusselman scouted in Brewster County for him, but failed to find him.
At Fort Davis on July 20, Fusselman wrote a long letter to Captain Sieker detailing "a few of the crimes commited [sic] on the river." He wrote not only of the crimes but also of the people living there:
The river is all settled up on both sides by farmers, from Polvo to Rio Daso [sic, Ruidosa.] on this side there is 2000 inhabitants of which 300 are at Presidio 150 at Polvo 100 at Rio Dosa the balance scattered along the river[.] on the other side there is 6,000 inhabitants of which 1000 are at Presidio Del norte. It appears that the most of the tillible soil is in mexico side, the river is fordable at all Points.
Now Fusselman wrote as if he had been a long time in the service:
I have Ranged from Brownsville to this place. This frontier is more in kneed [sic] of rangers than any section I ever was in & I think it truly nesicary that a company or at least a squad of 5 or 6 be stationed at Presidio. They may not be able to make many arrests but their presents [sic] will civilize the country. In regard to the county there is no grass & watter together within 40 miles of Presidio it has not rained there in 1 year & if it should the soil will not grow grass. There is grass 8 miles from Presidio but no watter nearer than Presidio.
Scouting activities in August were similar to those in the preceding months. On August 2, Fusselman and one other scouted to the Rio Grande in south Presidio County and arrested two men charged with horse theft, Juan Riduquiz and Ricordo Bolvusialo. They were jailed, and the Rangers continued on. This scout lasted fourteen days, and the men covered 278 miles. Following this, Fusselman and one other spent six days guarding the jail in Jeff Davis County in order to give their horses as well as themselves a rest from riding.
The September-December monthly returns for the balance of 1889 are similar to the preceding ones in reporting Fusselman's activities. He was almost daily out on scouts, making arrests for all types of illegal acts: theft of a saddle, horse theft, smuggling, assault to murder, tracking a jail escapee, arresting cattle thieves. In addition, he had to attend court. In these four months, Fusselman logged 1,020 miles on official business!
By late November, Fusselman was wanting a break from service and requested permission to spend some time at home with his family. He wrote Adjutant General King:
I have Ranged since May 1888 & have never had a furlough. I was a private until June 1st then Corpl until Aug 20 & now am Sergt & you will confer a great favor on me if you will grant me about 15 days furlough. I want to leave here about the 12 of Dec & return the 27 of Dec spending Xmas at home which is in Live Oak Co Texas.
Presumably Fusselman's request was granted as his name does not appear in the records until February 1890.
Fusselman's concern for the citizens of the country is frequently seen in his letters to his superiors. In February, he wrote to Captain Sieker asking him to come and make his own investigation. "Since Aug 17th 1889 there has been 7 murders committed in & near Presidio Co & the murderers taken refuge in Mexico & some of them American citizens. No steps can be taken to get them. The Mexicans in Mexico seems to uphold them."
More immediate concerns required his attention, however. Two of his mules became "locoed" and at least one of them would never be worth anything. He had tried "everything he could think of to cure her without success." While concerned over transportation needs, Fusselman was still making arrests. On March 2, he scouted to the Rio Grande and arrested Alexander Lena and Severano Lijan for horse theft. This four-day scout covered 150 miles. On the 11th, he and one other Ranger scouted in Brewster County after Bill Taylor and John Barnhart, but they were unsuccessful this time. It was a four-day march covering 130 miles. On the 14th, he arrested one Ocon for smuggling in Jeff Davis County, and on March 17, he arrested Lebrado Angelan for horse theft in Presidio County.
Then Charles H. Fusselman was called to attend court in El Paso. It was April 17, 1890, when he by chance was in El Paso County Sheriff James H. White's office visiting with Deputy Frank B. Simmons and ex-Ranger George Herold. Rancher John Barnes rushed in to report that rustlers had raided his ranch and stolen all his horses and some of his cattle. After trailing them for a short distance, he had wisely decided it was too dangerous to follow them alone and requested help. As Deputy Simmons could not leave the office unattended, Fusselman volunteered to go along with Herold and Barnes. Herold had extensive experience serving in the Civil War, going up against raiding Indians and outlaws, and serving as city marshal of Laredo. In contrast to Fusselman's youth, Herold was nearly sixty years old.
The lawmen quickly found the trail and caught up with Ysidoro Pasos, one of the rustlers who had been posted as a lookout on the back trail. He was taken and tied up. Fusselman then led the posse into one of the Franklin Mountains' many canyons. Barnes held the reins of the captured thief's horse when they located several of the stolen animals. Believing them abandoned by the thieves, the lawmen apparently let down their guard.
Unknowingly, they had entered the rustlers' camp. Ambushed! It was every man for himself. When the gunfire erupted, Fusselman called out, "Boys, we are in for it, and lets stay with it!" Almost immediately, Fusselman fell dead, the victim of an outlaw's Winchester bullets.
Not knowing how many rustlers might lie ahead in ambush, Barnes and Herold left their dead companion instead of risking their own lives. Instead of fighting the outlaws in the tradition of the western movies, they let go of the reins of Pasos' horse and hastened back - Herold to El Paso and Barnes to his ranch. The rustlers fled the scene as well, not knowing if other lawmen were coming or not.
Sheriff White organized a posse of a half dozen men, "six of the most fearless men in the county," according to one report. He sent them out in pursuit of the thieves and murderers. They were followed by a wagonload of provisions.
In spite of the determination of the posse, the trail was lost in the rough Franklin Mountains. Fusselman's body was found and taken to El Paso's Star Stable undertaking establishment. Initially, he was buried in El Paso's Concordia cemetery but, within days, brother John Fusselman arrived in El Paso and had the body exhumed and delivered to the Lagarto Cemetery. Corporal Fusselman was laid to rest for the second and final time on April 29, 1890. His grave is marked by a tall but damaged obelisk. He was only twenty-three when he was killed.
Fusselman's Ranger companion, Cal G. Aten, wrote the following to Captain Sieker a few days after Fusselman's death:
A good boy and energetic ranger has been laid away through the deviltry of a lot of cowardly thieves and murderers in which this country abounds. Much regret is expressed here among the people and I hardly know what we can do without him.
Ultimately, Geronimo Parra, a well-known rustler along the Mexican border, was identified as the man who killed Charles Fusselman. His life had been one of anger and desperate combat, the evidence of which was obvious by the bullet and knife wounds on his body. Jailed for burglary in 1891, he escaped but was captured later that year. When released, he was shot and wounded by a Las Cruces, New Mexico, Deputy Sheriff Ben Williams. He was again in prison in early 1894 for assault to murder and burglary.
Ranger John R. Hughes, now a captain of Company D following the death of Captain Frank Jones, learned of Parra's incarceration and wanted him in Texas to stand trial for Fusselman's murder. For help, he turned to noted lawman Pat Garrett, the slayer of Billy the Kid. By chance, Garrett was in pursuit of Pat Agnew, a bandit who was known to be in Texas. The two lawmen agreed that if Hughes could capture Agnew and turn him over, Garrett would use his influence to have Parra turned over to Hughes. Hughes succeeded, and Garrett kept his part of the bargain: Parra was soon in Hughes' custody.
Parra stood trial for murder and was found guilty mainly upon the testimony of George Herold, who identified him as the assassin. In El Paso on October 6, 1898 - over eight years after Fusselman's death - Parra was convicted and sentenced to hang. The killer appealed. The sentence was affirmed and Parra was to be executed on January 5, 1900. Antonio Flores was scheduled to die with him in a double execution. As the two men were taken from their cells to the gallows, they both produced handmade knives and began stabbing at anyone nearby. Their efforts were fruitless. No one was seriously injured and both were quickly subdued.
The trap door dropped under Flores first. Deputies then attempted to remove the rope from Flores to be used on Parra, but they found it could not be loosened easily because it had not been properly stretched. Deputies then hauled Flores' body up through the trap door and laid it at the feet of the waiting Parra. The rope was finally removed from Flores' neck and placed around Parra's. Then he too dropped through the trap door into eternity.
Parra had been allowed to make a final statement. He claimed innocence in the murder, forgave all, and asked for forgiveness. About one hundred spectators witnessed the grisly scene, including several who had served with Fusselman during his brief Ranger career–– and Captain John R. Hughes.
As a final tribute to young Fusselman, the canyon where he was killed is now named Fusselman Canyon.
Source: Chuck Parsons, Texas Ranger Dispatch Magazine.
Additional account from U.S. Marshals Service:
Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Thursday, April 17, 1890
Incident Location: Texas
Weapon Used: Rifle; Winchester
Suspect Info: Hanged
Charles Henry Vanvalkenburg (Charley) Fusselman joined Company D of the Frontier Battalion of the Texas Rangers in Duval County on May 25, 1888 at age 21. On May 18, 1889, he was promoted to Corporal. On June 4, 1889, Corporal Fusselman killed a man he was attempting to arrest at Marathon in a gun battle where 15 shots were fired in less than 20 minutes, and Fusselman shot the man eight times. On June 19, 1889, the U.S. Marshal appointed him a deputy U.S. Marshal. He offered to resign his ranger commission, but Captain Frank Jones allowed him to retain both commissions. By November 1889 he had been promoted to sergeant.
On April 17, 1890, Sergeant Fusselman was in El Paso to attend court. While at the El Paso County Sheriff's Office, a rancher named Barnes came in to complain that some bandits had stolen a number of his cattle. The deputy sheriff could not leave the office so Fusselman agreed to accompany Barnes and a 60-year old former ranger and lawman, George Herold, in chasing the rustlers. They quickly captured one of the rustlers who was a lookout. The three men found the cattle and assumed the rustlers had fled. They were ambushed and Fusselman was killed by the rustlers. Herold and Barnes had to flee. A posse could not find the rustlers.
Ultimately, Geronimo Parra, a well-known rustler along the Mexican border, was identified as the man who killed Charles Fusselman. John R. Hughes, Captain of Company D, learned of Parra's incarceration in New Mexico. Hughes asked Sheriff Pat Garrett, the killer of Billy the Kid, to deliver Parra to Texas in return for a prisoner Garrett wanted that the rangers held. On October 6, 1898 - over eight years after Fusselman's death - Parra was convicted and sentenced to hang. Parra was executed on January 5, 1900.
Although Charley Fusselman had been involved in numerous shootings and scrapes with bandits, and he was promoted to Sergeant in the Texas Rangers and given an appointment as a Deputy U. S. Marshal, he was only 23 years old when he was killed. He was buried in the Lagarto Cemetery in Live Oak County. The canyon in the Franklin Mountains in El Paso County where Fusselman was killed is now named Fusselman Canyon.
Additional info received from F.A.G. volunteer: 46928071, as follows:
Mar 14, 1899 is a correction of the date prisoner Parra was received from Pat Garrett. It is from a newspaper clipping in my file.
∼This information was found in a listing of burials in the Old Lagarto Cemetery in the book "Lagarto A Collection of Rememberances" by Hattie Mae Hinnant New.
(1866-1890)
Like too many young Texas Rangers of the Frontier Battalion, Charles H. Fusselman is best remembered for his early death. He was killed in the line of duty by rustlers near El Paso, Texas, on April 17, 1890. Although nothing could compensate his family and friends for his untimely demise, they could find some satisfaction at least in knowing that justice was ultimately served in the legal hanging of his murderer.
Charles Henry Vanvalkenburg Fusselman was born July 16, 1866, in Greenbush, Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, the son of carpenter John and his wife Abbie. Naturally, he became known to all as Charley. There was one older brother, John, born about 1859.
During the 1870s, the Fusselmans located to Texas. Perhaps John's brother, Sam, had convinced him of the opportunities there, because by 1880, his family was in Corpus Christi, Nueces County, where Sam was raising stock with his wife and three children as early as 1870.
Not long after the 1880 census, John Fusselman moved his family to Lagarto in southeast Live Oak County. At that time, it was a thriving community which boasted the Lagarto College, a newspaper, two churches, two hotels, a steam cotton gin and gristmill, a school, and several general stores. Today, however, it is a ghost town where only the cemetery remains—and where Charley Fusselman is buried.
Why Fusselman joined the Texas Rangers is unknown, but he became part of the elite Company D as a private on May 25, 1888, at Realitos in southwestern Duval County. One of the most famous Texas Ranger photographs is of this company and was made the year Fusselman joined. Several of the Rangers shown, such as Baz Outlaw, became famous or notorious. Some who kept the Ranger star shining bright included J. Walter Durbin, Jim King, and Captain Frank Jones.
The name of C. H. Fusselman first appears in Ranger records on the May 1888 muster roll of Captain Jones, commander of Company D. The company was then stationed in Duval County. As 1st sergeant, Jones had Ira Aten, a Ranger who would later make a name for himself by recording his memoirs. J. Walter Durbin was 1st Corporal. Captain Jones received $100 per month, a 1st sergeant received $50, and a corporal got $35. The eleven privates in the company each earned $30 per month, while teamster John Lott received a scant $20.
Charley Fusselman was mustered in on May 25. The other privates were Cal G. Aten, Ira's younger brother; A. Dillard; John R. Hughes, who would later become known as one of the four great captains; Gerry "Walter" Jones, a brother of Captain Jones; James W. King; W.W. Jones; Baz L. Outlaw; Ernest Rogers; J.W. "Wood" Saunders; and Frank L. Schmid.
Fusselman is first highlighted in the records in October when the company was stationed at Rio Grande City in Starr County. On the 27th, Private Fusselman and one other Ranger were sent to Roma to oversee county elections. Their presence alone apparently prevented the contending parties from causing any disturbance, as nothing more is noted in the return. The pair was gone from camp two days and marched a total of thirty miles.
Any specific duties and activities performed during the next few months have not been recorded. Perhaps Fusselman was one of the privates who were part of a scout, never identified by name, rather than being in charge of one. In any case, the returns make no mention of him by name.
For a while at least, Fusselman and Privates Ernest Rogers and Cal Aten were on detached service with Captain James A. Brooks in Rio Grande City. He may have been one of the five men scouting in late October in Roma, where they arrested five men. Another man surrendered peacefully, as he felt he was as guilty as those who had been arrested! After being delivered to jail, the six prisoners were all "bailed out the same day." More exciting perhaps was the news that the stage between Rio Grande City and Pena had been held up by a single highwayman.
In March 1889, Fusselman and Corporal Durbin scouted to Zavala County to resolve a dispute between two former partners over ownership of a herd of cattle. When the joint venture had dissolved, one partner, instead of dividing the cattle, took the entire herd. His empty-handed partner charged the man with theft. The two Rangers caught up with the thief but could not immediately locate the herd. Fusselman delivered the bandit to jail in Uvalde, Uvalde County, while Durbin searched for the stolen cattle. He ultimately located them in a pasture near Cotulla, La Salle County.
Affairs were going from bad to worse in far West Texas, and a detachment was sent to Alpine. In the early seventies when the Frontier Battalion was first created, a detachment might number fifteen or twenty men. Now in a much slower economy, the state reduced the number of Rangers drastically. Walter Durbin was in charge of the detachment composed of B. L. Outlaw, Charles Barton, John Hughes, and Fusselman. Durbin had gone on ahead by train, and the detachment, going by horseback, did not reach Alpine until May 11, having made the long trek of 400 miles. Fusselman and two of the men arrested a trio of roughs on the 25th: Antonio and Casimer Beveles for rape, and Tonadolo Morales for assault to murder. They were delivered to Brewster County Sheriff ex-Ranger J. T. Gillespie.
Captain Jones' brother-in-law, William O. Grady, worked at the Fronteriza mines in Coahuila, Mexico, and requested several tough men to guard mining shipments. Durbin, Outlaw, and Hughes were eager for the work. On May 16, Outlaw resigned, with Durbin and Hughes leaving the service the following day. With the resignation of Corporal Durbin, an opening was in the ranks; Fusselman was recommended to fill the vacancy. Captain Jones, who greatly respected Durbin's opinion, made Charles H. Fusselman corporal of Company D to be effective on May 18, 1889. The captain may have had some reservation about his choice to replace Durbin, as he wrote to Captain L.P. Sieker: "Fusselman is a good man but is somewhat lacking in experience, he having been in the service only a year."
We know of one mano a mano gunfight in which Fusselman emerged the winner. He faced down and killed Donaciano Beslanga on June 4, 1889, at Maxon Spring, near Marathon, Texas. Fortunately, he was able to relax in Sheriff Gillespie's office afterwards. There he left a detailed account of the incident. On Tuesday, June 5, he penned the following account:
Yesterday morning while in discharge of my duty as Ranger I killed one mexican name Donaciano Beslanga. I will explain. Sunday eve as I road [sic] in to Alpine I met Capt Gillespie who had a telegram from Haymond station, stating that the now deceased had the town terorized. He had shot one man a bad flesh wound & was riding through town shooting & all was endanger of their lives. Capt Gillespie asked me to go with his Deputy & make the arrest. Well we took the 8.52 train & when we arrived at Haymond the now deceased had gone to Maxon Springs. We got a hand car & went down but did not find him & was informed over the wire that he was at Haymond. We returned on 3.20 train & the Deputy gave up & returned to Alpine. I stayed to try & find some other trace of him & found that he was at Maxon Springs & we had missed him by the [inadequate] description so I borowed a mule & went again to Maxon Springs found he had left at sun rise. I lay & watched his wife until 10 at night when a heavy storm blew up which drove now deceased in to camp his home for shelter. I run on him but he sliped by me as it was so dark.
I followed his course to watter tank & as I was looking under the tank for him lightning flashed & he shot at me at about 100 yards. I did not see where he was until he fired second shot then I run toward him & returned the shot. Lightning flashed & he was down on the track & fired several shots & run & I lost him as it was so dark & raining so hard. Next morning I got a rifle & took his trail at daylight when about 3/4 mile from Station I heard him cough. I went toward him & the instant I saw him he saw me & sprang up to his knees. I could see there was no chance of his giving up as he had a bad expression on his face so I fired as he did both at same time. Witnesses said that the two shots were so near together that they could just be distinguished then about 15 shots were exchanged. All this happened in about 20 seconds. I emptyed my gun, run in on him grabbed his gun & shot him once with pistol before he would give up. He was hit 8 times, 5 shots were fatal. He would of fought 10 minutes longer if I had not grabbed his gun & took it away from him. I then wired Gillespie who came at night with Justice & held inquest & we returned to Alpine. The officers all say I am justifyable in the killing as it was in self defence in the Discharge of my Duty. Please excuse this long explanation.
J.R. Dawson, justice of the peace of Precinct No. 1, recorded that "the deceased came to his death by gunshot wounds at the hands of Charles H. Fusselman while in the legal discharge of his duties as an officer that said Homicide was clearly Justifiable under the evidence."
This gunfight certainly contained elements that would make a great action scene in a western movie. It began on one day and continued the next, a torrential storm preventing clear visibility. One officer left the other to face the desperado alone. Shots were fired so close together they almost sounded as one. Flashes of gunfire - lightning flashes – and guns emptied. Fusselman established himself with this gunfight as a lawman to be taken seriously in spite of his brief Ranger experience.
Corporal Fusselman was at Fort Davis when he penned a letter to Captain L.P. Sieker requesting a copy of the Fugitives from Justice booklets. These were pamphlets providing the names and description of wanted men from all counties in the state. He obviously intended to make good use of these lists, anticipating that wanted men would try and lose themselves in the sparsely populated regions of West Texas. Wrote the corporal: "Will you be so kind as to forward me a Fugative [sic] list as it may proove [sic] of some benefit to me. " Parts I, II and III were sent out on June 17 to Fusselman.
Fusselman was eager for the hunt. On the 14th, he and one other Ranger went on a scout into Buchel County after cattle thieves. This time he was not successful: he had no gunfight or arrests. They were out eight days and marched a total of 175 miles. No sooner had the pair returned than on the next day, June 23, Fusselman and one other scouted into Reeves County. This time, they were successful: they arrested Manuel Trevino, charged with murder. This scout lasted three days and covered a total of 65 miles. They brought the prisoner back to Alpine and delivered him to Sheriff Gillespie.
Additional responsibilities had been placed on Fusselman during this month of June. On the 19th, U.S. Marshal Paul Fricke appointed him as a deputy. He believed the young Ranger could do good work in tracking down smugglers and "mescalleros," those who dealt in illegal alcohol. Initially, Captain Jones wanted Fusselman to reject the appointment. Fusselman did write out a letter of resignation, but Fricke was not satisfied: "I have declined to accept it [the resignation letter] until I can communicate with you . . . [as] the two positions dovetail." Ultimately, Jones allowed Fusselman to maintain his deputy marshal commission.
Even with the presence of a handful of Rangers, the citizens of this area of the state wanted more protection. On June 29, a petition was prepared and forwarded to Governor L.S. Ross. The petitioners "most respectfully represent that a force of rangers is absolutely necessary for the protection of the lives and property of the citizens of Presidio County."
The citizens' main concern was for the residents of the towns of Presidio, Pulvo, and Ruidosa. The petition contended that "stock is daily being stolen by lawless bands who have their rendezvous in the Sparsely settled sections of the Republic of Mexico." Recent anecdotal incidents were related. Ignacio Goodman, on June 21, was with another man when they were halted by masked men and robbed of $450. About May 31, Francisco Vasquez was robbed of forty head of horses. A short time before this, Messrs. Norman and Morgan lost fifty head of horses and mares to thieves, and R.C. Daly lost sixty-five. Small ranchers "are continually being depredated upon."
On June 1, Felix Hernandez lost thirty-five head of horses, and "we are reliably informed that the Mexican authorities contemplate placing a force of mexican troops at and near the town of Ojinga opposite Presidio for the purpose of chasing these lawless characters out of that country." If this would happen, the lives and property of the citizens of Texas in Presidio County "will be at the mercy of these characters unless a body of rangers are stationed at or near Presidio." No ranger company was sent to Presidio County, but a letter was forwarded to Fusselman and one to Judge P.F. Edwards of El Paso, making them aware of the serious concerns of the citizenry. The governor was at least aware, even if he did not respond affirmatively to their needs.
Fusselman's close call with death was not repeated, so far as known, but he was continually in potentially dangerous situations, dealing with thieves, smugglers, and killers. In July, he went to Shafter in search of stagecoach robbers. Although he did not track them down, he did arrest one Tovario Quintella for "rudely displaying a pistol." This was a 220-mile march, and Fusselman was absent from Alpine for ten days.
No sooner had Fusselman returned than he went out again, this time with three men. They scouted in Presidio County under orders from Adjutant General King "to investigate reported robberies and theft." On this scout, Fusselman arrested Jesus Mendoza and one Gregoria, both charged with horse theft. This was a nine-day scout covering 200 miles. The stage robber now had an identity: James Webb. On July 22, Fusselman scouted in Brewster County for him, but failed to find him.
At Fort Davis on July 20, Fusselman wrote a long letter to Captain Sieker detailing "a few of the crimes commited [sic] on the river." He wrote not only of the crimes but also of the people living there:
The river is all settled up on both sides by farmers, from Polvo to Rio Daso [sic, Ruidosa.] on this side there is 2000 inhabitants of which 300 are at Presidio 150 at Polvo 100 at Rio Dosa the balance scattered along the river[.] on the other side there is 6,000 inhabitants of which 1000 are at Presidio Del norte. It appears that the most of the tillible soil is in mexico side, the river is fordable at all Points.
Now Fusselman wrote as if he had been a long time in the service:
I have Ranged from Brownsville to this place. This frontier is more in kneed [sic] of rangers than any section I ever was in & I think it truly nesicary that a company or at least a squad of 5 or 6 be stationed at Presidio. They may not be able to make many arrests but their presents [sic] will civilize the country. In regard to the county there is no grass & watter together within 40 miles of Presidio it has not rained there in 1 year & if it should the soil will not grow grass. There is grass 8 miles from Presidio but no watter nearer than Presidio.
Scouting activities in August were similar to those in the preceding months. On August 2, Fusselman and one other scouted to the Rio Grande in south Presidio County and arrested two men charged with horse theft, Juan Riduquiz and Ricordo Bolvusialo. They were jailed, and the Rangers continued on. This scout lasted fourteen days, and the men covered 278 miles. Following this, Fusselman and one other spent six days guarding the jail in Jeff Davis County in order to give their horses as well as themselves a rest from riding.
The September-December monthly returns for the balance of 1889 are similar to the preceding ones in reporting Fusselman's activities. He was almost daily out on scouts, making arrests for all types of illegal acts: theft of a saddle, horse theft, smuggling, assault to murder, tracking a jail escapee, arresting cattle thieves. In addition, he had to attend court. In these four months, Fusselman logged 1,020 miles on official business!
By late November, Fusselman was wanting a break from service and requested permission to spend some time at home with his family. He wrote Adjutant General King:
I have Ranged since May 1888 & have never had a furlough. I was a private until June 1st then Corpl until Aug 20 & now am Sergt & you will confer a great favor on me if you will grant me about 15 days furlough. I want to leave here about the 12 of Dec & return the 27 of Dec spending Xmas at home which is in Live Oak Co Texas.
Presumably Fusselman's request was granted as his name does not appear in the records until February 1890.
Fusselman's concern for the citizens of the country is frequently seen in his letters to his superiors. In February, he wrote to Captain Sieker asking him to come and make his own investigation. "Since Aug 17th 1889 there has been 7 murders committed in & near Presidio Co & the murderers taken refuge in Mexico & some of them American citizens. No steps can be taken to get them. The Mexicans in Mexico seems to uphold them."
More immediate concerns required his attention, however. Two of his mules became "locoed" and at least one of them would never be worth anything. He had tried "everything he could think of to cure her without success." While concerned over transportation needs, Fusselman was still making arrests. On March 2, he scouted to the Rio Grande and arrested Alexander Lena and Severano Lijan for horse theft. This four-day scout covered 150 miles. On the 11th, he and one other Ranger scouted in Brewster County after Bill Taylor and John Barnhart, but they were unsuccessful this time. It was a four-day march covering 130 miles. On the 14th, he arrested one Ocon for smuggling in Jeff Davis County, and on March 17, he arrested Lebrado Angelan for horse theft in Presidio County.
Then Charles H. Fusselman was called to attend court in El Paso. It was April 17, 1890, when he by chance was in El Paso County Sheriff James H. White's office visiting with Deputy Frank B. Simmons and ex-Ranger George Herold. Rancher John Barnes rushed in to report that rustlers had raided his ranch and stolen all his horses and some of his cattle. After trailing them for a short distance, he had wisely decided it was too dangerous to follow them alone and requested help. As Deputy Simmons could not leave the office unattended, Fusselman volunteered to go along with Herold and Barnes. Herold had extensive experience serving in the Civil War, going up against raiding Indians and outlaws, and serving as city marshal of Laredo. In contrast to Fusselman's youth, Herold was nearly sixty years old.
The lawmen quickly found the trail and caught up with Ysidoro Pasos, one of the rustlers who had been posted as a lookout on the back trail. He was taken and tied up. Fusselman then led the posse into one of the Franklin Mountains' many canyons. Barnes held the reins of the captured thief's horse when they located several of the stolen animals. Believing them abandoned by the thieves, the lawmen apparently let down their guard.
Unknowingly, they had entered the rustlers' camp. Ambushed! It was every man for himself. When the gunfire erupted, Fusselman called out, "Boys, we are in for it, and lets stay with it!" Almost immediately, Fusselman fell dead, the victim of an outlaw's Winchester bullets.
Not knowing how many rustlers might lie ahead in ambush, Barnes and Herold left their dead companion instead of risking their own lives. Instead of fighting the outlaws in the tradition of the western movies, they let go of the reins of Pasos' horse and hastened back - Herold to El Paso and Barnes to his ranch. The rustlers fled the scene as well, not knowing if other lawmen were coming or not.
Sheriff White organized a posse of a half dozen men, "six of the most fearless men in the county," according to one report. He sent them out in pursuit of the thieves and murderers. They were followed by a wagonload of provisions.
In spite of the determination of the posse, the trail was lost in the rough Franklin Mountains. Fusselman's body was found and taken to El Paso's Star Stable undertaking establishment. Initially, he was buried in El Paso's Concordia cemetery but, within days, brother John Fusselman arrived in El Paso and had the body exhumed and delivered to the Lagarto Cemetery. Corporal Fusselman was laid to rest for the second and final time on April 29, 1890. His grave is marked by a tall but damaged obelisk. He was only twenty-three when he was killed.
Fusselman's Ranger companion, Cal G. Aten, wrote the following to Captain Sieker a few days after Fusselman's death:
A good boy and energetic ranger has been laid away through the deviltry of a lot of cowardly thieves and murderers in which this country abounds. Much regret is expressed here among the people and I hardly know what we can do without him.
Ultimately, Geronimo Parra, a well-known rustler along the Mexican border, was identified as the man who killed Charles Fusselman. His life had been one of anger and desperate combat, the evidence of which was obvious by the bullet and knife wounds on his body. Jailed for burglary in 1891, he escaped but was captured later that year. When released, he was shot and wounded by a Las Cruces, New Mexico, Deputy Sheriff Ben Williams. He was again in prison in early 1894 for assault to murder and burglary.
Ranger John R. Hughes, now a captain of Company D following the death of Captain Frank Jones, learned of Parra's incarceration and wanted him in Texas to stand trial for Fusselman's murder. For help, he turned to noted lawman Pat Garrett, the slayer of Billy the Kid. By chance, Garrett was in pursuit of Pat Agnew, a bandit who was known to be in Texas. The two lawmen agreed that if Hughes could capture Agnew and turn him over, Garrett would use his influence to have Parra turned over to Hughes. Hughes succeeded, and Garrett kept his part of the bargain: Parra was soon in Hughes' custody.
Parra stood trial for murder and was found guilty mainly upon the testimony of George Herold, who identified him as the assassin. In El Paso on October 6, 1898 - over eight years after Fusselman's death - Parra was convicted and sentenced to hang. The killer appealed. The sentence was affirmed and Parra was to be executed on January 5, 1900. Antonio Flores was scheduled to die with him in a double execution. As the two men were taken from their cells to the gallows, they both produced handmade knives and began stabbing at anyone nearby. Their efforts were fruitless. No one was seriously injured and both were quickly subdued.
The trap door dropped under Flores first. Deputies then attempted to remove the rope from Flores to be used on Parra, but they found it could not be loosened easily because it had not been properly stretched. Deputies then hauled Flores' body up through the trap door and laid it at the feet of the waiting Parra. The rope was finally removed from Flores' neck and placed around Parra's. Then he too dropped through the trap door into eternity.
Parra had been allowed to make a final statement. He claimed innocence in the murder, forgave all, and asked for forgiveness. About one hundred spectators witnessed the grisly scene, including several who had served with Fusselman during his brief Ranger career–– and Captain John R. Hughes.
As a final tribute to young Fusselman, the canyon where he was killed is now named Fusselman Canyon.
Source: Chuck Parsons, Texas Ranger Dispatch Magazine.
Additional account from U.S. Marshals Service:
Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Thursday, April 17, 1890
Incident Location: Texas
Weapon Used: Rifle; Winchester
Suspect Info: Hanged
Charles Henry Vanvalkenburg (Charley) Fusselman joined Company D of the Frontier Battalion of the Texas Rangers in Duval County on May 25, 1888 at age 21. On May 18, 1889, he was promoted to Corporal. On June 4, 1889, Corporal Fusselman killed a man he was attempting to arrest at Marathon in a gun battle where 15 shots were fired in less than 20 minutes, and Fusselman shot the man eight times. On June 19, 1889, the U.S. Marshal appointed him a deputy U.S. Marshal. He offered to resign his ranger commission, but Captain Frank Jones allowed him to retain both commissions. By November 1889 he had been promoted to sergeant.
On April 17, 1890, Sergeant Fusselman was in El Paso to attend court. While at the El Paso County Sheriff's Office, a rancher named Barnes came in to complain that some bandits had stolen a number of his cattle. The deputy sheriff could not leave the office so Fusselman agreed to accompany Barnes and a 60-year old former ranger and lawman, George Herold, in chasing the rustlers. They quickly captured one of the rustlers who was a lookout. The three men found the cattle and assumed the rustlers had fled. They were ambushed and Fusselman was killed by the rustlers. Herold and Barnes had to flee. A posse could not find the rustlers.
Ultimately, Geronimo Parra, a well-known rustler along the Mexican border, was identified as the man who killed Charles Fusselman. John R. Hughes, Captain of Company D, learned of Parra's incarceration in New Mexico. Hughes asked Sheriff Pat Garrett, the killer of Billy the Kid, to deliver Parra to Texas in return for a prisoner Garrett wanted that the rangers held. On October 6, 1898 - over eight years after Fusselman's death - Parra was convicted and sentenced to hang. Parra was executed on January 5, 1900.
Although Charley Fusselman had been involved in numerous shootings and scrapes with bandits, and he was promoted to Sergeant in the Texas Rangers and given an appointment as a Deputy U. S. Marshal, he was only 23 years old when he was killed. He was buried in the Lagarto Cemetery in Live Oak County. The canyon in the Franklin Mountains in El Paso County where Fusselman was killed is now named Fusselman Canyon.
Additional info received from F.A.G. volunteer: 46928071, as follows:
Mar 14, 1899 is a correction of the date prisoner Parra was received from Pat Garrett. It is from a newspaper clipping in my file.
∼This information was found in a listing of burials in the Old Lagarto Cemetery in the book "Lagarto A Collection of Rememberances" by Hattie Mae Hinnant New.
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