The following is a partial account of the life and times of Edgar T. Neal. This story will be the final chapter or Part III of the book, The Texas Rangers & the San Saba Mob. This series is the narrative for the application of a new Texas Historical Subject Marker for San Saba County. Endnotes are available upon request. Ross J. Cox, Sr.
Part 3
In San Saba County, the murders and secret assassinations piled up. Finally, after the murder of William A. James on July 28, 1896, an anti-mob faction approached District Judge William Mack Allison demanding that the Rangers be brought to the county. At first the judge refused. However, under pressure, he and Sheriff Hudson finally went to Austin to see the governor and adjutant general. With the governor’s consent, Adjutant General W. H. Mabry then ordered a permanent Ranger detachment to camp in the area. 10
Edgar T. Neal and Allen R. Maddox came from Captain Brooks’ Company “E” at Alice, and Sgt. W. John L. Sullivan along with Dudley S. Barker were detached from Captain McDonald’s Company “B” at Amarillo. On August 13, 1896, the force met with San Saba Sheriff S. E. W. Hudson in Goldthwaite who escorted them to San Saba. Once in town it was clear they were not wanted as they were treated with absolute open disgust by the Mob element. After three days, the Rangers ignored their antagonists and decided to camp on the San Saba side of the Colorado River and began their investigations. 11
The Rangers stayed in the county until the Spanish American War in 1898. During that time, they performed many duties, arrested criminals, protected witnesses, and gathered evidence. While scouting the county, they gained the confidence of the citizens, who until this time, were too frightened to even speak about the Mob. 12
On October 16, 1896, Sullivan moved the force into town and turned over a wealth of information that had been neatly written up by Edgar T. Neal. Three hundred thirty-nine witnesses presented testimony to the grand jury resulting in the indictments of Matt Ford and George Trowbridge. Both were identified as captains of the Mob and were tried for the murder of James Turner. The trials were held in Austin which resulted in three hung juries. For all practical purposes mob rule ended as the “Assembly” and its members were exposed. 13
During that time Neal had begun courting Maude Eliza Montgomery. On September 26, 1897, the couple was married, and on the October 1st, he resigned from the Rangers. Neal quickly put down roots and began raising cattle. His wife was from a well to do family, and the marriage brought much property to the table (over 9,000 acres). However, the county was still a dangerous place to live as the Rangers had made many enemies. On October 29th Neal re-enlisted as a Special Ranger without pay. This was probably so he could assist the Rangers as needed and protect his new family. 14