James Abijah Brooks (1855–1944) was one of the four Great 
Captains in Texas Ranger history, others including Bill McDonald, 
John Hughes, and John Rogers. Born and raised in Civil War-torn 
Kentucky, a reckless adventurer on the American and Texas frontier, 
and a quick-draw Texas Ranger captain who later turned in his six-
shooter to serve as a county judge, Brooks embodied the raucous era 
of the late nineteenth and early twentieth-century American West.

    As a Texas Ranger, Brooks participated in the high profile events 
of his day, from the fence-cutting wars to the El Paso prizefight, from 
the Conner Fight—where he lost three fingers from his left hand—to 
the Temple rail strike, all with a resolute demeanor and a fast gun. A 
shoot-out in Indian Territory nearly cost him his life and then 
jeopardized his career, and a lifelong bout with old Kentucky bourbon 
did the same. With three other distinguished Ranger captains, 
Brooks witnessed and helped promote the transformation of the elite 
Frontier Battalion into the Ranger Force. As a state legislator, he 
brokered the creation of a South Texas county that bears his name 
today, and where he served for twenty-eight years as county judge. 
He was the quintessential enforcer of frontier justice, scars and all.

_________________________________________________________

PAUL N. SPELLMAN teaches Texas and American history at 
Wharton Junior College. He is a native Texan and descendant of the 
Old Three Hundred family of Zadock and Minerva Cottle Woods. 
Spellman has authored five books, including Captain John H. 
Rogers, Texas Ranger, Race to Velasco, and Spindletop Boom 
Days. He lives in Richmond, Texas.


Number Four: Frances B. Vick Series


What people are saying about this book

"Spellman is an exceptional storyteller. His excellent book will be a 
major contribution specifically to Ranger history and to Texas history 
in general."—Donaly Brice, Texas State Archives