Captain John R. Hughes, Lone Star Ranger is the first full and complete modern biography of a man who served as a Texas Ranger from 1887 until early 1915. He came to the attention of the Rangers after doggedly trailing horse thieves for nearly a year and recovering his stolen stock. After helping Ranger Ira Aten track down another fugitive from justice, Hughes then joined Company D of the Texas Rangers on Aten's recommendation, intending to stay foronly a few months; he remainedin the service for nearly thirty years. When Sgt. Charles Fusselman was killed by bandits, Hughes took his place. When Captain Frank Jones was killed by bandits in 1893, Hughes was named captain of Company D. As captain, Hughes and his men searched the border and identified everybandit involved in the killing of Jones. They all received justice. Toward the end of his careerHughes became a senior captain based in Austin, and in 1915, having served as a captain and ranger longer than any other man, he retired from the force. His later years were happy ones, with traveling and visiting friends and relatives. He became a Texas icon and national celebrity, receiving more awards and honors than any other Texas Ranger, before or since. Due to Chuck Parsons's extensive research, we now know more about Hughes than ever before. This biography of one of the 'Four Great Captains' sheds light on his life prior to becoming a Texas Ranger andon his love interest, though he never married. From joining Company D in 1887 until retirement, Hughes served the state honestly and proudly, earning the respect of all he met. Zane Grey dedicated his most popular novel, The Lone Star Ranger, to Hughes and his Rangers.
CHUCK PARSONS is the author of The Sutton-Taylor Feud; John B. Armstrong: Texas Ranger and Pioneer Rancher; Texas Ranger N. O. Reynolds; and Captain L. H. McNelly: Texas Ranger. He lives with his wife Pat in Luling, Texas. ROBERT K. DeARMENT (foreword) is the author of Bat Masterson and editor of Life of the Marlows.
"Captain John R. Hughes: Lone Star Ranger is an extensively researched and well-written account that will provide enthusiasts with an entertaining and informative read and spark discussion among scholars."--Southwestern Historical Quarterly "This biography of Capt. John R. Hughes is filled with hard riding, straight-shooting derring-do. Hughes covered thousands of miles in all kinds of weather, recovering stolen stock while faced with sudden death in ambushes and shootouts."--Chronicle of the Old West "[T]he action between the covers of this book almost reads like a novel, and it is tough to put down. . . . For those individuals who have an interest like I do, in the Texas Rangers, this book is a must!"--Denver Westerners Roundup "A valuable feature of this excellent book is a rich collection of photographs, including a number of images from [Hughes's] long retirement."--Bill O'Neal, Wild West Historical Association Journal "Chuck Parsons produced this solid biography of one of the best Texas lawmen to ever sit a horse. As usual, Chuck dug up plenty of new information to chronicle a life story well worth telling."--Mike Cox, author of Wearing the Cinco Peso: The Texas Rangers, 1821-1900 "John Reynolds Hughes, one of the four great Texas Ranger Captains, was the only Captain without a modern biography. Chuck Parsons's outstanding history of Hughes's life has filled this gap."--Louis Sadler, co-author of The Texas Rangers and the Mexican Revolution "No one tracked a fugitive like Hughes. Every reader will be enthralled with the action-adventure Parsons has brought to the Rangers bookshelf."--Paul N. Spellman, author of Captain J. A. Brooks, Texas Ranger and Captain John H. Rogers, Texas Ranger "The Texas Rangers have more to offer than just Jack Hays. A Ranger who continued his tradition in the late 19th- and early 20th-centuries was John R. Hughes. Only now do we have a complete biography on him, wonderfully written by Chuck Parsons. Hughes joined the Frontier Battalion in 1887 and became the force's greatest tracker, trailing fugitives like a bloodhound."--True West "Within the circle of historical writers on outlaws and lawmen, Chuck Parsons holds an honored place. He has brought to life a biography filled with historical drama: chasing bandits, corralling feudists and lynchers, engaging in shootouts, and doing detective work in murder cases."--Harold J. Weiss, Jr., author of Yours to Command: The Life and Legend of Texas Ranger Captain Bill McDonald
