Dubbed "The Iron-Handed Man of the Panhandle".
He was born with the name: John Cromwell Orrick Jr.
On 13 June 1867, during the trying days of Reconstruction throughout the South, Orrick and Alex Webb, a recently appointed registrar for Hale and Greene Counties, got into an argument. During the course of the dispute, Webb called Orrick a liar. Orrick drew a pistol and fired three rounds, killing Webb instantly. As he fled the scene, Orrick was heard to say that he "would allow no damn negro to call him a damn liar." Orrick fled, leaving behind not only his boyhood home, but also his real name.
Texas Ranger, 1875-82.
Sheriff of Wheeler County and 14 surrounding counties, 1882-90.
Sheriff of Hemphill County, 1894-96. He was appointed to this position after Sheriff Tom McGee was murdered.
********************************************************************
From "Confederate Veteran" Magazine in 1924, by M. S. Thompson, of Leesburg, Va.
Capt. G. W. Arrington
Capt. G. W. Arrington passed from this transitory life to that shore beyond on the 14th of April, 1923, at his home in Canadian, Tex. I would be false to the love I bore him and the admiration I shall never cease to cherish were I not (even at this late day) permitted to transmit to our surviving comrades and the host of our Southern people an outline of his remarkable and trying experiences.
Captain Arrington was born at Greensboro, Ala., on December 23, 1844.
At the outbreak of War between the States he joined the 5th Alabama Infantry and served with it until the battle of Sharpsburg, where he was wounded and taken prisoner. While being transferred by rail to Fort McHenry, he jumped from the train and finally reached the Virginia shore in Loudoun County. There he joined Company D, of Mosby's command, and served to the close of the war with conspicuous gallantry. It was my privilege (though not of that command) to be with him on more than one occasion when he displayed a nerve and took a chance that few would have tried. Colonel Mosby held him in the highest esteem and sent him frequently on most hazardous trips within the enemy's lines. I have conversed with Lieut. John Russell and Ned Hurst, of that famous command, since the war, and their encomium of him was of the highest order.
At the close of the war, Captain Arrington spent several years in Central America and British Honduras. Upon his return, he went to Texas and joined the Texas Rangers, and was soon promoted to captain. After serving ten years as captain of the Rangers, he was elected sheriff of Wheeler County, which really at that time was composed of eight counties. Later, he also became sheriff of Hemphill County by appointment. On October 18, 1883, he was married to Miss Sallie Burnett in Westboro, Mo., and this devoted companion and eight children mourn the loss of the loved husband and father, with a host of comrades and friends.
His passing seems like a closing chapter of the frontier days, whose memories are passing rapidly. His life of adventure and law enforcement is a rare gain in Texas history. He was a man of keen and unfailing judgment and quick decision. He could read character with remarkable intuition at a glance. With a keen eye and steady hand, he had the ideal qualifications for an officer of the law and an Indian fighter.
He was fearless and could track outlaws and bring them to court when others had lost the trail. He was one of a very few men whom Clay Allison, a notorious gunman and "killer," respected as his equal in nerve and quick action.
Captain Arrington had a host of friends all over the State. He was a Knight Templar of Canadian Commandery. Peace to his ashes. No truer or braver soldier ever lived and no better husband, father, or citizen ever passed over the river.
I mourn his loss, for he was a lovable comrade and devoted friend.
He was born with the name: John Cromwell Orrick Jr.
On 13 June 1867, during the trying days of Reconstruction throughout the South, Orrick and Alex Webb, a recently appointed registrar for Hale and Greene Counties, got into an argument. During the course of the dispute, Webb called Orrick a liar. Orrick drew a pistol and fired three rounds, killing Webb instantly. As he fled the scene, Orrick was heard to say that he "would allow no damn negro to call him a damn liar." Orrick fled, leaving behind not only his boyhood home, but also his real name.
Texas Ranger, 1875-82.
Sheriff of Wheeler County and 14 surrounding counties, 1882-90.
Sheriff of Hemphill County, 1894-96. He was appointed to this position after Sheriff Tom McGee was murdered.
********************************************************************
From "Confederate Veteran" Magazine in 1924, by M. S. Thompson, of Leesburg, Va.
Capt. G. W. Arrington
Capt. G. W. Arrington passed from this transitory life to that shore beyond on the 14th of April, 1923, at his home in Canadian, Tex. I would be false to the love I bore him and the admiration I shall never cease to cherish were I not (even at this late day) permitted to transmit to our surviving comrades and the host of our Southern people an outline of his remarkable and trying experiences.
Captain Arrington was born at Greensboro, Ala., on December 23, 1844.
At the outbreak of War between the States he joined the 5th Alabama Infantry and served with it until the battle of Sharpsburg, where he was wounded and taken prisoner. While being transferred by rail to Fort McHenry, he jumped from the train and finally reached the Virginia shore in Loudoun County. There he joined Company D, of Mosby's command, and served to the close of the war with conspicuous gallantry. It was my privilege (though not of that command) to be with him on more than one occasion when he displayed a nerve and took a chance that few would have tried. Colonel Mosby held him in the highest esteem and sent him frequently on most hazardous trips within the enemy's lines. I have conversed with Lieut. John Russell and Ned Hurst, of that famous command, since the war, and their encomium of him was of the highest order.
At the close of the war, Captain Arrington spent several years in Central America and British Honduras. Upon his return, he went to Texas and joined the Texas Rangers, and was soon promoted to captain. After serving ten years as captain of the Rangers, he was elected sheriff of Wheeler County, which really at that time was composed of eight counties. Later, he also became sheriff of Hemphill County by appointment. On October 18, 1883, he was married to Miss Sallie Burnett in Westboro, Mo., and this devoted companion and eight children mourn the loss of the loved husband and father, with a host of comrades and friends.
His passing seems like a closing chapter of the frontier days, whose memories are passing rapidly. His life of adventure and law enforcement is a rare gain in Texas history. He was a man of keen and unfailing judgment and quick decision. He could read character with remarkable intuition at a glance. With a keen eye and steady hand, he had the ideal qualifications for an officer of the law and an Indian fighter.
He was fearless and could track outlaws and bring them to court when others had lost the trail. He was one of a very few men whom Clay Allison, a notorious gunman and "killer," respected as his equal in nerve and quick action.
Captain Arrington had a host of friends all over the State. He was a Knight Templar of Canadian Commandery. Peace to his ashes. No truer or braver soldier ever lived and no better husband, father, or citizen ever passed over the river.
I mourn his loss, for he was a lovable comrade and devoted friend.
Dubbed "The Iron-Handed Man of the Panhandle".
He was born with the name: John Cromwell Orrick Jr.
On 13 June 1867, during the trying days of Reconstruction throughout the South, Orrick and Alex Webb, a recently appointed registrar for Hale and Greene Counties, got into an argument. During the course of the dispute, Webb called Orrick a liar. Orrick drew a pistol and fired three rounds, killing Webb instantly. As he fled the scene, Orrick was heard to say that he "would allow no damn negro to call him a damn liar." Orrick fled, leaving behind not only his boyhood home, but also his real name.
Texas Ranger, 1875-82.
Sheriff of Wheeler County and 14 surrounding counties, 1882-90.
Sheriff of Hemphill County, 1894-96. He was appointed to this position after Sheriff Tom McGee was murdered.
********************************************************************
From "Confederate Veteran" Magazine in 1924, by M. S. Thompson, of Leesburg, Va.
Capt. G. W. Arrington
Capt. G. W. Arrington passed from this transitory life to that shore beyond on the 14th of April, 1923, at his home in Canadian, Tex. I would be false to the love I bore him and the admiration I shall never cease to cherish were I not (even at this late day) permitted to transmit to our surviving comrades and the host of our Southern people an outline of his remarkable and trying experiences.
Captain Arrington was born at Greensboro, Ala., on December 23, 1844.
At the outbreak of War between the States he joined the 5th Alabama Infantry and served with it until the battle of Sharpsburg, where he was wounded and taken prisoner. While being transferred by rail to Fort McHenry, he jumped from the train and finally reached the Virginia shore in Loudoun County. There he joined Company D, of Mosby's command, and served to the close of the war with conspicuous gallantry. It was my privilege (though not of that command) to be with him on more than one occasion when he displayed a nerve and took a chance that few would have tried. Colonel Mosby held him in the highest esteem and sent him frequently on most hazardous trips within the enemy's lines. I have conversed with Lieut. John Russell and Ned Hurst, of that famous command, since the war, and their encomium of him was of the highest order.
At the close of the war, Captain Arrington spent several years in Central America and British Honduras. Upon his return, he went to Texas and joined the Texas Rangers, and was soon promoted to captain. After serving ten years as captain of the Rangers, he was elected sheriff of Wheeler County, which really at that time was composed of eight counties. Later, he also became sheriff of Hemphill County by appointment. On October 18, 1883, he was married to Miss Sallie Burnett in Westboro, Mo., and this devoted companion and eight children mourn the loss of the loved husband and father, with a host of comrades and friends.
His passing seems like a closing chapter of the frontier days, whose memories are passing rapidly. His life of adventure and law enforcement is a rare gain in Texas history. He was a man of keen and unfailing judgment and quick decision. He could read character with remarkable intuition at a glance. With a keen eye and steady hand, he had the ideal qualifications for an officer of the law and an Indian fighter.
He was fearless and could track outlaws and bring them to court when others had lost the trail. He was one of a very few men whom Clay Allison, a notorious gunman and "killer," respected as his equal in nerve and quick action.
Captain Arrington had a host of friends all over the State. He was a Knight Templar of Canadian Commandery. Peace to his ashes. No truer or braver soldier ever lived and no better husband, father, or citizen ever passed over the river.
I mourn his loss, for he was a lovable comrade and devoted friend.
He was born with the name: John Cromwell Orrick Jr.
On 13 June 1867, during the trying days of Reconstruction throughout the South, Orrick and Alex Webb, a recently appointed registrar for Hale and Greene Counties, got into an argument. During the course of the dispute, Webb called Orrick a liar. Orrick drew a pistol and fired three rounds, killing Webb instantly. As he fled the scene, Orrick was heard to say that he "would allow no damn negro to call him a damn liar." Orrick fled, leaving behind not only his boyhood home, but also his real name.
Texas Ranger, 1875-82.
Sheriff of Wheeler County and 14 surrounding counties, 1882-90.
Sheriff of Hemphill County, 1894-96. He was appointed to this position after Sheriff Tom McGee was murdered.
********************************************************************
From "Confederate Veteran" Magazine in 1924, by M. S. Thompson, of Leesburg, Va.
Capt. G. W. Arrington
Capt. G. W. Arrington passed from this transitory life to that shore beyond on the 14th of April, 1923, at his home in Canadian, Tex. I would be false to the love I bore him and the admiration I shall never cease to cherish were I not (even at this late day) permitted to transmit to our surviving comrades and the host of our Southern people an outline of his remarkable and trying experiences.
Captain Arrington was born at Greensboro, Ala., on December 23, 1844.
At the outbreak of War between the States he joined the 5th Alabama Infantry and served with it until the battle of Sharpsburg, where he was wounded and taken prisoner. While being transferred by rail to Fort McHenry, he jumped from the train and finally reached the Virginia shore in Loudoun County. There he joined Company D, of Mosby's command, and served to the close of the war with conspicuous gallantry. It was my privilege (though not of that command) to be with him on more than one occasion when he displayed a nerve and took a chance that few would have tried. Colonel Mosby held him in the highest esteem and sent him frequently on most hazardous trips within the enemy's lines. I have conversed with Lieut. John Russell and Ned Hurst, of that famous command, since the war, and their encomium of him was of the highest order.
At the close of the war, Captain Arrington spent several years in Central America and British Honduras. Upon his return, he went to Texas and joined the Texas Rangers, and was soon promoted to captain. After serving ten years as captain of the Rangers, he was elected sheriff of Wheeler County, which really at that time was composed of eight counties. Later, he also became sheriff of Hemphill County by appointment. On October 18, 1883, he was married to Miss Sallie Burnett in Westboro, Mo., and this devoted companion and eight children mourn the loss of the loved husband and father, with a host of comrades and friends.
His passing seems like a closing chapter of the frontier days, whose memories are passing rapidly. His life of adventure and law enforcement is a rare gain in Texas history. He was a man of keen and unfailing judgment and quick decision. He could read character with remarkable intuition at a glance. With a keen eye and steady hand, he had the ideal qualifications for an officer of the law and an Indian fighter.
He was fearless and could track outlaws and bring them to court when others had lost the trail. He was one of a very few men whom Clay Allison, a notorious gunman and "killer," respected as his equal in nerve and quick action.
Captain Arrington had a host of friends all over the State. He was a Knight Templar of Canadian Commandery. Peace to his ashes. No truer or braver soldier ever lived and no better husband, father, or citizen ever passed over the river.
I mourn his loss, for he was a lovable comrade and devoted friend.
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