DUANE
Duane's take
Here's my telling of what the official marker has to say about Captain G. W. Arrington, out in Wheeler County.
Now, some men seem like they were put on this earth just to ride into hard country and make it a little less wild. Captain G. W.
Arrington — born 1844, died 1923 — was that kind of man. The marker calls him a great peace officer of the era of early settlement in the Texas Panhandle, and friend, that era did not hand out that title lightly. He came into the world in Greensboro, Alabama.
But sitting still was never in his nature. When the Civil War broke out in 1861, young Arrington found his way to Virginia — and not just any outfit. He became one of the most daring scouts in the famous guerrilla command of Colonel John S.
Mosby. Now, Mosby's command had a reputation that preceded it like thunder before a storm. And Arrington was riding right in the middle of it through 1865.
When the war ended, most men went home. Arrington went further. He ventured to Mexico and Central America — which tells you something about the man's appetite for what lay over the next ridge.
He finally settled in Texas in 1867, and Texas, as it turns out, was exactly the kind of place that could hold him. By 1875 he was riding with the Texas Rangers, and for the next seven years he built an outstanding record across Southwest Texas and the Panhandle. The Rangers of that stretch were not pushing paper.
They were pushing back against some of the roughest conditions the frontier had to offer, and Arrington stood out even among them. Then came 1882, and Wheeler County handed him a badge with a jurisdiction that would make most sheriffs sit down and take a long breath. He served as sheriff of Wheeler and fourteen — fourteen — attached counties.
From 1882 to 1890, he held that line with courage and distinction. During his time in office, he lived near the very site where this marker stands today. Fourteen counties.
One sheriff. The Texas Panhandle was still being written into the map, and G. W.
Arrington was one of the men holding the pen.
What the marker says
(1844-1923) Great peace officer of era of early settlement in Texas Panhandle. (During his term in office, lived near this site.) Born in Greensboro, Alabama. During the Civil War, 1861-1865, was one of most daring scouts in famous guerrilla command of Col. John S. Mosby, in Virginia. After war, ventured to Mexico and Central America. Settled in Texas in 1867. In Texas Rangers, 1875-1882, he had an outstanding record in Southwest Texas and Panhandle. With courage and distinction, served 1882-1890 as sheriff of Wheeler and 14 attached counties. (1969)