<>Until a few years ago he was rarely seen without
spurs on and continues now to wear his trousers in his boot-tops and
has the carriage of a man of the range. He is nowhere more at home than
on the back of a good horse and the cattle range is a haven of refuge
from the crowding civilization about him. The accompanying photograph,
taken several years ago, has created interest wherever it is seen. A
man from California saw in a restaurant of an admirer of Mr. Mather in
Georgetown, a painting made of the old pioneer from this picture and
declared that it nearer expressed his understanding of a native Texan
than any photograph he had ever known and he expressed to this writer
his absolute determination to secure one of the pictures.
Since the mind of man runneth not to the contrary Mr. Mather has been known in Williamson, Burnet and adjoining counties for his commanding personality. No kinder heart ever beat beneath the fabric from which clothing is fashioned than Andy Mather's but he is recognized as a man of his word and no one has ever questioned it when he had spoken. He is a square shooter and an honest dealer and in years agone was a terror to the cattle thief and the evil doer. He dresses in strict cowman fashion, or more strictly speaking that of a scout. His hat a large wide brim and the best that money will buy. His hair long and occasionally, more so in former years than now, he wore it down upon his shoulder. With boots and spurs he is indeed all that his record means, cowman, scout and early Texas Ranger. Not many years before the death of William F. Cody, (Buffalo Bill) the old scout was on a visit to Georgetown and he and the subject of this sketch talked long of their experiences. They looked very much alike, Mr. Mather being considerably the larger of the two but their eyes, form of dress and flowing hair made a very striking resemblance. A friend noticing them talking remarked "There's something between those old boys, isn't there?" And their confidence and seeming mutual understanding as they talked in subdued tones seemed positively to indicate it. Mr. Mather joined the Texas rangers in 1875 and served under the command of Captain Jeff Mottly. [Correct spelling is Maltby.] He is a man who talks little but his service in the rangers is said by those who remember it to have been valuable to his country. Speaking
of the guns used by those who were engaged in protecting the frontier
against the Indians and lawless element, Mr. Mather states that the
rangers used what was known as the "Needle Gun" so named because it
fired with a pin and used cartridges instead of the old cap-and-ball
method of other makes. The best saddle he ever owned he declared was
manufactured by a pioneer saddler, by the name of Pippie, located at
Belton, Texas. For this Mr. Mather states he paid $50.
|
