Justice to Pancho Hamer PART I

Frank "Pancho" Hamer, THE ULTIMATE RANGER, perhaps the real Lone Ranger "behind the mask," found in Zane Grey's scrapbook... Part I of a sequel about the lawman who cleaned up Navasota, Texas, and was probably the inspiration for Zane Grey's "Lone Star Ranger," the prototype for The Lone Ranger. Video by artist Russell Cushman, who created a bronze sculpture of him... and in the process learned of Hamer's undeniable connections to Zane Grey, Tom Mix and other cowboy actors in Hollywood... and a legend that will never die.

[@beardedyaker9767]

Anyone here after watching Highwaymen?

[@daegueric]

Yup! Even watched other stuff on the 1934 Ford V8. All kinds of interesting stuff to be had.

[@mattpriest3661]

Yes

[@mikeochoa458]

Yes

[@campbellakajeff]

Indeed!

[@johnhaymer5056]

Yes very good story of Frank Hamer

[@thommeister]

Thank heaven for Netflix and a great retelling of Pancho's story.

[@ducatiluvr]

That part of his story is the tip of the iceberg

[@alanjohnson6091]

No, Netflix’s video was not very accurate.

[@chrishutchison5031]

WOW!!! Cpt. Frank became family when Frank Jr. married a Bissel. He died before I was born, but we still have a 1884 Colt Single Action that he took off a bad guy. The gun itself is valuable because of it's year and model, but we will never sell it because Cpt. Frank gave it to us. Thank you for this video.

[@jackspade1835]

I am not trying to be offensive, but didn't frank die from in a camping accident involving a rattle snake.

[@chrishutchison5031]

@@jackspade1835 I'm not offended. Cpt. Frank had a stroke in 1953 and lived for two more years but never recovered from the stroke. He was 70

[@cag1763]

Wow

[@cag1763]

That's good wow

[@ladonnadoucet6182]

Kevin Costner ,I believe did a fine job portraying Frank Hamer. The Highwaymen ,really good movie.

[@crazylesfarkas4486]

LaDonna Doucet Don’t forget Woody

[@gititbo]

Hamer was head and shoulders above anyone else in western history IMO. Fascinating man, which Ive had the privilege of studying. Great job!

[@pootdaggy2657]

Soooo glad Hamer is portrayed the way he actually was. With Warren Beatty's Bonnie & Clyde, Hamer was reduced to a damned buffoon on the silver screen ( Blanche Barrow wasn't pleased with Beatty either) and did Hamer's reputation no justice at all. I believe if we enforced our laws with lawmen of Hamers" caliber in todays world we'd soon be rid of the rampant crime we see running roughshod in our nation. Add a little of Ross Perot's "I'll introduce them to the joys of bustin rocks" and things would get right in no time.

[@zaynevanday142]

and slapped the reporter around a little to teach him some manners ha ha ha can you just imagine that happening in this day and age ? ha ha ha LEGEND

[@carolinasmoke5047]

Watched The Highwaymen last night on Netflix. Well done and relatively accurate. Focused mainly on the hunt for Bonnie and Clyde. Interesting story and worth watching imo.

[@carolinasmoke5047]

Thanks Cynthia Baker. I agree.

[@1369vmsmith]

Relatively accurate? Please. Enjoyable fantasy movie but loaded with the same tired ass bullshit that's been told for 80+ years.

[@awesomeman8385]

One major issue I have is they got the Easter murders wrong. They have found a new journal, and using modern forensics it's now believed that Bonnie did not shoot them. But that was made up for the newspapers. The government needed the people to turn on her. In fact there is no proof she ever fired a shot. Only definite proof is hamer said she reached for the gun before Clyde.

[@carolinasmoke5047]

Awesome Man, Very interesting. Hope the truth comes to light.

[@dutchdenson8156]

@@1369vmsmith Yes, that movie is responsible for a tremendous amount of misinformation.

[@bigbywolf6470]

The movie highwaymen accurately portrays bonnie and clyde for the ruthless killers they were and the hero Frank hamer was

[@trailermax184]

@The S Word you are stereotyping cops

[@rakuencallisto]

@@trailermax184 especially coming from someone who obviously doesn't respect and research history. (Like the above respondent) I'm so sick of this new generation.

[@jackspade1835]

Frank was a coward, I bet you those stories where lies.

[@bigbywolf6470]

@@jackspade1835 ignorance is bliss

[@franknewton594]

My Mom was born in South Oak Cliff in 1925 and said the same thing about Bonnie and Clyde.

[@j.d.peppmeier9041]

I am sure Hickok was no choirboy, but I don't think I ever heard him included with "scoundrels" before.. ! (?).

[@ergbudster3333]

Damn right. Who is this character calling Wild Bill a scoundrel? This guy goes on the do not click list.

[@Rblks1]

A real American Hero. This ain’t no Hollywood Movie.

[@raynonabohrer5624]

Very good history! A honest lawman now can't wait for part 2.

[@bmfilmnut]

Well done! And it's about time Frank Hamer gets the credit he reserves. I developed an interest in Hamer as part of an interest I've had in depression era bank robbers. I do have a couple of the best books about Hamer and I believe he really was one of the greatest lawmen of all time. If you were a criminal and Hamer was after you, you might as well turn yourself in because he would get you. I was glad to see the new Netflix film, Highwaymen, which finally treated Hamer more fairly than the movies of the past, especially the 1967 Warren Beatty film in which Hamer was treated with downright disrespect. Anyone interested in history should learn more about this incredible lawman. Thanks for posting this. You did a fine job and you are a fine sculptor.

[@lisahamer8047]

Bob Miller... Frank Hamer was my cousin. Love learning about my family history!

[@cctrans29]

In his later years. I read in American Riflemen. He carried a 1911 in 38 Super or a S&W in 41 Special. But always with his single action Colt "Lucky". What a classy Texas Lawman.

[@karengutheil7541]

This is really well done !!!! His voice is entertaining the music and the well laid out photos - well done !!!!

[@rmenton3]

Even in death, Bonnie and Clyde got all the headlines. I wonder if they fully understood who had been hired to track them down. Highwaymen doesn't do Hamer justice in that his history is ignored. If I knew this guy was after me, I would turn myself in. Bonnie and Clyde got what they deserved and Hamer faded away. Need a good western on Ranger Hamer.

[@musicaltheatergeek79]

Originally, *The Highwaymen* was going to feature flashbacks of Hamer's past work as a ranger. The main plot was going to be about the hunt for B&C; the subplot was going to involve Hamer's early life. But then it was deemed to ambitious and something more worthy of a miniseries.

[@wildhog7210]

Best Bonnie and Clyde movie ever made on Netflix. Thank you for great content.

[@skippress]

Wow! Mance Lipscomb is one of the greatest people I ever met. When I saw Navasota I started watching because some friends of mine and I dropped Mance off at his house one morning after hanging out with him after a concert he put on. What a wonderful surprise to hear this great story and know Mance knew him, wonderful.

[@AryDontSurf]

I have one of his old records, one of my favorite

[@RobertCleve]

Thanks so much- awesome video!!

[@diegofianza3525]

Nicely produced. As a kid, i remember reading in my middle school library the entire Time-Life faux leather bound collection, Old West. This vid reminded me of that.

[@184876ela]

HIS SON WAS A MARINE KILLED ON IWO JIMA SEMPER FI

[@f4tweet]

Semper Fi.

[@RussellCushman]

Thank you for your comments. I realize I am challenging the popular legend... but that's what researchers do... And it would be useless to write history if there were no new angles... There is always the possibility of coincidence... If you believe in that... but a careful read of Greys' novel no doubt finds an amalgam of Ranger characters... but only one Ranger of his period fits his biographical and physical description to a T... When I purchased the photo of Hamer from Grey's collection, the other identifiable photo was of Captain John Hughes... who was soon retiring and by then was portly and fairly harmless looking... When I made this it was a response to wild speculations like O'Reilly's that the Lone Ranger was inspired by Bass Reeves! I think my theories stand better scrutiny than his...

[@DavidSB50]

Duke Hudson is my wifes grandfather. That gunfight in Del Rio with Hamer and Cap't Rogers is indeed a famous shoot out. ...…..Duke died in the late 1920s

[@RhettyforHistory]

Excellent presentation! I do like that you brought up Frank possibly being the inspiration for the Lone Ranger.

[@oldlifter530]

Hamer and Bass where from different times and places and would probably have liked each other on sight Those two together would have been the most terrifying crime fighting team in US history Hamer was a man and thats why he went after that reporter in those days you settled your own disputes and reputation was still something important

[@Bareege]

Agree

[@mikedaniel7195]

Thanks for posting this Frank Hamer is my cousin on my father’s side of the family and he was a Texas Ranger and was retired and they called him to help set up the ambush on Bonnie and Clyde.

[@adamw2586]

Excellent video and story telling. Thank you!

[@2006ManPro]

I've had the book "I'm Frank Hamer" for years ...Good presentation

[@flaco5581]

Have you read his new biography?I recommend it

[@JimForeman]

I'm a decedent of John McQuaty Archer (Great grandson) and feature your videos any time I'm posting a video about cowboy cookin or tell a story about my life. I enjoyed your "Pancho" videos.

[@garysisk3431]

Great job Russell. I really enjoy reading history and hopefully the research was as accurate as you could find. Sounds like he was a tough man in a time when tough men were needed. Sadly, too many forget that today and think you can control the criminals with love and reason, not so. SOME have blasted him in the reviews, and thats too bad. I have found that unless you have ridden with or been in any situation you don't have the right to blast anyone as you truly don't know what actually happened. GREAT REVIEW

[@aaronrider4051]

"Mother, I wanted to be a preacher. But from this moment on, I'm making a vow to God I will pursue outlaws relentlessly and bring them to justice." Amazing

[@jamesthompson4148]

watching this video and learning Frank Hamer’s middle name was Augustus.. That Robert Duval character in Lonesome Dove was called Augustus and he was an ex Texas Ranger....? coincidence maybe!

[@pootdaggy2657]

I know McMurtry borrowed heavily on the Goodnight-Loving relationship. Him growing up in Archer City, Tx I'm sure he heard stories about the Rangers in general and Hamer in particular. Good job Mr. Cushman.

[@bryanhurd9955]

Texas needs these men now

[@dukemantee2978]

There's always a demand for heroes.

[@tonyhemingway7980]

If you haven't done so, you should do a video about Jess Sweeten, the sheriff of Henderson Co. Texas.

[@artfulcoyote]

Fantastic story! Thanks

[@rexx893]

when WARREN BEATTY AND FAYE DONAWAY FILMED bonnie AND CLYDE.. WAS A GLAMORIZED FILM TO EXHIBIT HOW PRETTY AND FAMOUS HOLLYWOOD STARS THEY WERE. HIGHWAY MAN IS A CRAFTY ART MOVIE. THESE TO GRAND ACTORS ARE MAGNIFICENT.

[@brent4770]

I've always heard the Lone Ranger was based on Bass Reeves.

[@castone8040]

Excellent work sir !

[@richardmcginnis5344]

this video was posted 4 years ago and then the highwaymen came out on netflix and there are more comments from the last 2 weeks than probably the last 4 years. it has 694 views and thats gonna jump to half a million in the next few weeks bet me

[@ToreDL87]

150k now, so not far off!

[@pootdaggy2657]

Yep, just a little over a quarter million off.

[@morethan3756]

To be a lone marshall in a wild west town. That takes cojones.

[@pootdaggy2657]

Yup, balls that is.

[@analogman1909]

The Texas Ranger motto, appears on the pedestal of the bronze Texas Ranger statue at the Dallas Love Field airport; "One Riot, One Ranger"

[@garyseward1641]

The novel "Lone Star Ranger" by Zane Grey was dedicated to John Hughes, a Ranger with Company D. He may have known Hamer, but he didn't dedicate the book to him. I sure a lot of individual Ranger stories influenced him, maybe told to him by John Hughes.

[@pkjdm]

True American Hero

[@suejuede525]

My Dad was born in 1904 he was a deputy sheriff in Texas. I recall Dad talking about his friend Frank Hamer. And how he brought down Bonnie & Clyde. However Dad met Capt, Hamer after the elimination of Bonnie & Clive.

[@suejuede525]

I have the same birthday as Frank Hamer. March 17. But I was born in 1947 ,

[@gunnyu.s.m.c8606]

that's really cool, My compliments sir

[@leebreadman]

Never knew Frank Hamers history.......Bonnie and Clyde never had a chance once he was sent after them......

[@kevinschmidt7146]

My grandfather's best friend was clint Hamer was either son or grandson of Frank Hamer. I was a young boy so don't remember. But do remember Clint was a man's man , tuff as nails even though by this time he was probably In his 70.

[@TaterChip91]

Did not expect that dope beat to drop, shit got real, real quick 7:28

[@michaelmusgrove4563]

Great job Russel!

[@jwilli726]

Wow wasn't expecting Mance to show up!

[@KowboyUSA]

Very good.

[@durwinpocha2488]

There aint no use in catching criminals, before you know what to do with them. A kind salute to Frank Hamer, who always gave'em a chance to come peaceful like.

[@ryant1506]

Great short Doc...But Zane Grey that greatest celebrated Western writer? I have to give that title to my boy Louis.

[@DiveExplorer]

Frank "Pancho" Hamer no.1 lawmen in history...

[@runner6500]

Zane Grey also knew Bass Reeves, a black Deputy Marshal that captured over 3,000 men, and only killed 14. He tracked down, and captured his own son for the murder. Legend has it, bad guys would just turn themselves in when they heard Reeves was on their trail. He used disguises, like an old man disguise when capturing nine outlaws without a shot. Reeves very often had an Indian companion. He left silver dollars, and rode a white horse. And, Zand Grey knew him. That's my comment.

[@keepall3818]

runner6500 totally agree, Bass Reeves was the real Lone Ranger.

[@rogergoodwin374]

Thanks very interested

[@bryanm5233]

I wonder what happened to this channel, the last video was posted 3 years ago.

[@ricktilley6055]

The Highwaymen is definitely a great movie but there is room for several more about Hamer.

[@nmelkhunter1]

What’s really neat about Mr Hamer is he carried a Winchester 1895, as was my grandpa’s in 30-40. Great rifle. Do you know whether Mr Hamer’s was a 30-40?

[@rafaelchavez6755]

True HERO!.👍👏👏👏👏👏

[@peakperformancetrain]

Read , the epic life of Frank Hamer , the man who killed Bonnie and Clyde John boessenecker. Unbelievable amazing !!!

[@KarlPHorse]

I love the late old west. So little difference between 1880 and 1910 aside from technological improvements that you most likely wouldn’t unless you lived in an urban area. And I am only slightly exaggerating.

[@I-oh_Badguy]

God willing as a nod to highwaymen, they make either a series or a few movies of the life of hammer. Who would fit the role of the young ranger though?....

[@studinthemaking]

I thought my boss was a jerk. At least he never shoot me in the back with a shot gun.

[@chaunceychappelle2173]

That's what one would call a man's man if there is such a thing.

[@kalbs89]

Entertaining, thanks

[@kalbs89]

Sounds like a good TV series to me.

[@elixhall4762]

Grand finale episode them catching Bonnie and Clyde

[@johnburnett5377]

At the 5:00 minute mark, the rifle shown is a model 99 Savage, not a Winchester. Sorry, couldn't help it.

[@daviddalton9214]

I know. It’s hard.

[@Victorio-f9y]

Do you use photos randomly

[@rleslie4458]

Good content, but please omit the music. It is very distracting and gives us that are hard to hear difficulty in hearing all the very good content.

[@BrentDelong1253]

That lawman deserving of attention is Bass Reeves. History and Hollywood $h!t on that man's legend. Marshal Reeves was the greatest lawman to ever live.

[@ergot57]

I concur whole heartedly.

[@benvasilinda9729]

I don’t think this video was saying that Hamer was the best lawman ever. Just not getting the credit he deserved for being one of the best. Of course Highwaymen came out so it looks like he is now getting the credit he deserves. I’m sure Bass Reeves will soon have his name known by most Americans soon now that people like Hamer are being recognized.

[@Bareege]

The great lawman: Bass Reeves, became a victim of "Jim Crow laws." Because of "Jim Crow" Bass Reeves could no longer be a US Federal Marshall. And because of "Jim Crow" the name of the greatest lawman of the west was almost lost to history.

[@edwardjones8919]

AND WE SHOULD KNOW WHY!!!!😣😣

[@stevenwatkins3634]

​Yep,the DEMS for what happened to BASS REEVES!1 OF THE BEST,if not the best,LONE RANGER,he had alot of help,from most in INDIAN TERRITORY,the cherokees took him in and taught him all the skills and languages need!!Being black they would help him no matter,they would not help white lawmen!

[@outinthesticks1035]

I noticed the narrative said " a bad man's career was ended with a well placed Winchester bullet " but the photo shows him with a 99 savage

[@lukepate8749]

Great movie!!!!👍👍👍👍

[@tyroneashford1195]

The greatest Sheriff's/Marshal's.. 1. Bass Reeves. 2. Wild Bill Hickok. 3. Wyatt Earp. 4Bat Masterson/ Frank Hamer/ 2 -way draw. 5. Bill Tilgman. 5.

[@Twsuf1]

That's cause they are unbelievable

[@zaynevanday142]

when i was a young lad people would always connect my name with Zane Grey and i never knew what the hell they were talking about and only just now at 45yrs of age i discover Zane Grey was a western writer lol

[@flaco5581]

Would have been an amazing time to be alive..but especially to be in law enforcement.

[@todchristensen1454]

Wow, this video throws some shade on Wild Bill and Wyatt Earp. Did a Hamer relative make this? Nothing against Hamer, he was a great ranger but when did Wild Bill operate on both sides of the law? He was a classic lawman. Earp has plenty of love/hate but this video makes it sound like they are jealous of Wyatt's attention. Good video, just struck me a little funny.

[@tobyjenny7622]

That ranger outlawing handguns was illgale.

[@aidenbutcher8461]

Wtf is illgale

[@TightwadTodd]

Hamer was "Almost systematically ignored",because that is the way he wanted it..He didnt seek or want the limelight and that makes him even greater in my eyes..Most truly great men that i have known,exhibited this same attitude..

[@therealfronzilla]

Wild Bill wasn't a scoundrel

[@fergalfarrelly8545]

The real lone ranger .... yeeehaw!!!

[@jasonb2702]

404 - File or directory not found. The resource you are looking for might have been removed, had its name changed, or is temporarily unavailable.

[@Michaelbos]

Why are you showing pictures of Hollywood actors ?

[@betonarchese]

That photo isn't Doc Holliday.

[@Rikalonius]

And the world has never been the same, and "journalists" are able to slander people because they know they won't get slapped around for it.

[@grahamak22]

yes....watch highwaymen........it feels like the good old days.....eye for an eye!

[@marmadukewinterbotham2599]

A remarkable, though not perfect (who is?), man who deserves to be remembered in the same cannon as Earp and the other household names.

[@leodanryan966]

I think Wild Bill would probably have been disturbed by you calling him a scoundrel. I don't think you have that right. We're he alive and you said it to his face you would probably have to back up that statement with your life. I doubt you could. Yeah, Frank Hamer was a badass, but he weren't no Wild Bill.

[@keepall3818]

Leo Ryan Texas was tough country in Hamer’s day, but Hickok tamed towns on the wild frontier without a company of rangers to back him up.

[@pootdaggy2657]

Leo Ryan ,@@keepall3818 Hickok would have to stand on a ladder just to be able to see the spurs on Hamer's boots. Hamer parallel parked a locomotive back in 1892. I heard grown men would pull their own heads off before they'd fight Hamer. Hickok didn't have enough sense to sit with his back to the wall in a poker game. Hell he had two pair and still lost his butt. Hickok wasn't so much a man as he was a walking syphilis infection. Hickok's final tombstone epitaph reads " Sheep, You Can Damn Near Get Em' Pregnant".

[@adamethridge7824]

These ppl are angry in the comments for like no reason

[@chrisbrowne4669]

The rifle fired at Putnam in the video is a Savage not a Winchester.

[@cag1763]

Ammo was Winchester

[@dougrogillio2223]

The narrative of this video is great. The fade effect on the photos is quickly & continually annoying. Would have been great otherwise.

[@robertking1480]

Damn goggle jackrabbit road

[@billn9910]

There is a great 515 page book on Frank Hamer (Texas Ranger) and it has a lot of detail about his life. A lot on this video is short on facts and other stuff is exaggerated (according to the book) but Frank Hamer lived a very interesting life including his manhunt and killing of Bonnie and Clyde. Frank was the City Marshal in Navasota not a Ranger. He took the job because the pay was a lot better than the $40 per month that Rangers were paid.

[@jasholden9741]

His City Marshal badge was shown on the screen.

[@h-minus5537]

Did you call Hickock a scoundrel?

[@PanchoChiekrie]

Interesting name

[@jasholden9741]

There was some good information in this, however, there were too many opinions that are unsubstantiated.

[@willboyd4607]

If you can't tell the difference between a Savage and a Winchester, you might want to look them up before making a video showing them.

[@RussellCushman]

Sharp eye! I was hoping that you would be impressed with the rare, long unpublished photograph of Frank Hamer with the rifle... That IS actually him. Just trying to tell the story here... My LOW BUDGET videos are rife with such "illustrations," as I do all of these with absolutely no financial reward or compensation. Each requires hundreds of hours, far less than the time required to make a sarcasm... which is also FREE. You get what you pay for. Each free vid is made after a lifetime of study. YES, I know the difference in firearms, and have actually sculpted this great lawman with the '95 Winchester he used when young. The historically accurate bronze sculpture is life-sized and stands in front of a prominent public building in Texas... Do you know the difference between fair, constructive criticism and sanctimonious intolerance? I took artistic license with the video to entertain and educate the next generation who do not even care enough to insult, harass and denigrate me, or my offerings. Thanks for your corrections. Bottom line, I mean no harm. I take it from your comments that you are not amused. Thank goodness there is a lot on the Internet that might work better for you. My point of it all is Frank Hamer and many public servants have fought for you to be able to exercise that right, FREEDOM OF SPEECH, in the greatest country ever devised by man.

[@FishOnIsMyHandle]

Highwaymen was ok. Jeff Bridges or Sam Elliott would have knocked it out of the park.

[@helloyall4355]

Nah.. was great with Harrelson and Costner.

[@Vinnie-pu9vw]

Can’t stand Jeff Bridges

[@zoperxplex]

Tells you something about the prevalence of violent crime in those days when the population was a lot smaller that Frank Hamer may have been the law enforcement officer that killed the most suspects than any other. Anywhere between 53 and 70 individuals.

[@davet127]

While you do a nice job giving Hamer his due, you make an error I believe on who 'patched' him up after he was shot in the back. Hamer himself had stated it was a black man who took him home and had his wife render aid and when able to they then had his brother help get him home to his family (mother). It is this action that many point to Hamer's respect for the rest of his life for black's. It is well know that if a lynching was planned or in progress and Hamer caught wind of it, not on his watch and it is said he wasn't nice about it. His investigation of the KKK was said by many to be almost personal. In the end I believe that Hamer was a hard nosed, honest, one way cop and likely ticked off a lot of people as one who 'never rolls over' has a habit of doing. But the colour of their skin didn't sway him. Yes the good folks in Texas could sure use more like Hamer, as could every police service.

[@nolangray3772]

The virgin Bonnie and Clyde The chad Frank and Maney