Rip Ford was the Texans’ Texan
Fri, 2015-09-25 05:00
News Staff
By Bartee Hailie
Charged with repeatedly sticking their noses in Mexico’s business, Rip Ford and his company of hard-riding, hard-fighting Texas Rangers were unceremoniously mustered out of federal service on Sep. 26, 1851. For the versatile figure widely regarded as “The Texans’ Texan,” the furlough was merely a temporary setback and a chance to catch his breath. Texas would need him again, and he would always answer the call. During his six decades in the land of the Lone Star, John Salmon Ford did it all -- doctor, lawyer, editor, writer, explorer, politician, surveyor, soldier, historian and legendary leader of the Texas Rangers. From the Battle of San Jacinto to the dawn of the twentieth century, irrepressible Rip kept friends and foes alike on the edge of their seats. Arriving two months too late for the Texas Revolution in 1836, the 21 year old Tennessee doctor settled at San Augustine. Besides a full-time medical practice, the busy newcomer taught Sunday school, organized a community theater that staged his own plays and studied for the bar exam he passed with flying colors. On his third try in 1844, Ford was elected to a seat in the Republic Congress on a pro-annexation platform. Fulfilling his campaign promise, he introduced the historic resolution that paved the way for statehood. Tired of the legislative life after a single term, Ford abandoned San Augustine and medicine for Austin and the newspaper business. But the sudden death of his wife in the summer of 1845 left him an inconsolable wreck. The Mexican War proved to Ford’s salvation. Serving as adjutant to Capt. John Coffee Hays, he headed a spy company. Performing the difficult duty of informing the next of kin, he wrote “Rest in Peace,” sometimes shortened to a simple “R.I.P.” This abbreviation became his lifelong nickname, Rip. Hailed as a conquering hero upon his return from Mexico in May 1848, Ford had trouble adjusting to a civilian routine. Far too restless for medicine, law or newspaper deadlines, he joined Robert Simpson Neighbors in blazing the first trail to faraway El Paso. No sooner had he added this feat to his growing list of achievements than an alarming upsurge in Indian and bandit activities along the Rio Grande resulted in his reenlistment in the Rangers. With a crackerjack company of Mexican War veterans, he soon pacified the border. However, Ford did not escape unscathed. A flesh wound from a Comanche arrow tipped with rattlesnake venom partially paralyzed an arm for several painful years. Allegations of unwarranted interference in the internal affairs of Mexico led to Ford being drummed out of the service in September 1851. The accusations were, in fact, quite true since he had given aid and comfort to a short-lived rebellion on the other side of the river. For the next six years, Ford again made Austin his home dividing his time between publishing and politics. Chosen mayor of the capital in 1853, the stern prohibitionist banned the Sunday sale of liquor. Firing the town marshal for drinking on the job, he personally patrolled the streets until a replacement could be found. During the mid-1850’s, Ford broke with the Democratic Party for a brief flirtation with the Know-Nothings, the same strange movement that attracted Sam Houston. He then formed the Order of the Lone Star of the West, a secret sect with a vague vision of a slave empire headquartered in Havana. Another frontier emergency brought Ford to his senses. At the request of the governor, he mobilized the Rangers for a campaign against the Comanches. After the successful completion of this assignment, he turned his attention to throttling Juan Cortina, a South Texas rustler masquerading as a Mexican patriot. Petty jealousy in the Confederate hierarchy caused Ford to be passed over for a battlefield commission, so he spent the Civil War minding the store. Richmond’s loss was Texas’ gain as he effectively plugged the gaps in the Lone Star defenses. The crowning jewel of Rip’s remarkable career came in January 1874 during the last desperate hours of Reconstruction rule. Though beaten fair and square at the polls, Gov. Edmund J. Davis, the Republican incumbent, refused to step aside for his Democratic successor. Barricading himself in the capitol, Davis mobilized a palace guard of black troops. Hundreds of angry Austin inhabitants decided to storm the armory, arm themselves to the teeth and violently evict Davis from office. Confronting the mob, Rip predicted certain catastrophe if the rash plan was carried out. Win or lose, he warned, a clash at the capitol would subject the state to many more years of military occupation. Hours later lame-duck Davis threw in the towel, and the crisis ended without bloodshed. Rip Ford had singlehandedly saved Texas from disaster. Autographed copies of “Murder Most Texan,” Bartee’s latest book, are still available. Order yours in the “General Store” at barteehaile.com or by mailing a check for $26.65 to Bartee Haile, P.O. Box 152, Friendswood, TX 77549.