Texas Rangers Sent to Clean Up Corrupt Borger in 1920s

Governor Daniel Moody dispatched legendary Captains Frank Hamer and Thomas Hickman to shut down the town's rampant vice and crime.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 7:20pm

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An extreme close-up of a shattered glass whiskey bottle, its jagged edges reflecting a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually representing the Texas Rangers' efforts to shut down Borger's illicit liquor trade.The Texas Rangers' crackdown on Borger's thriving bootlegging industry left a trail of shattered evidence in its wake.Borger Today

In the 1920s, the boomtown of Borger, Texas became a haven for bootlegging, prostitution, gambling, and other criminal activities. After a series of murders, the state's new governor sent in a squad of Texas Rangers led by Captains Frank Hamer and Thomas Hickman to take control of the lawless town and shut down its thriving vice industries.

Why it matters

Borger's descent into corruption and lawlessness in the 1920s highlights the challenges that some boomtowns faced as they rapidly grew, with local officials often complicit in or profiting from criminal enterprises. The Texas Rangers' intervention demonstrated the state's willingness to forcefully intervene and restore order when local authorities failed to do so.

The details

Borger was founded in 1926 by Asa Philip 'Ace' Borger and John R. Miller, who intended for the town to be an 'open' hub for bootlegging, prostitution, gambling, and other vices. Miller, Borger's appointed mayor, was elected by supporters who ran the town's criminal enterprises, skimming tax money and rigging construction deals. As crime spiraled out of control, with Borger becoming a base for criminals operating across state lines, Texas Governor Daniel Moody sent in the Texas Rangers to clean up the town.

  • In March 2027, the Texas Rangers arrived in Borger to begin their occupation.
  • Over the next few months, the Rangers forced the resignation of the vice-friendly police chief, shuttered the red-light district, kicked out bootleggers and criminals, and sought the resignation of corrupt city and county officials.

The players

Daniel Moody

The governor of Texas who sent the Texas Rangers to intervene in Borger.

Frank Hamer

A legendary Texas Ranger captain who led the clean-up effort in Borger.

Thomas Hickman

Another legendary Texas Ranger captain who assisted in the Borger operation.

Asa Philip 'Ace' Borger

One of the founders of the town of Borger, who intended it to be a hub for criminal enterprises.

John R. Miller

The appointed mayor of Borger, who was elected by supporters running the town's vice industries.

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What they’re saying

“Borger became a synonym for vice, nicknamed 'Booger Town.'”

— Joe Pappalardo, Author of 'Boomtown: The True Story of the Wickedest Town in Texas'

“Surprisingly, as Pappalardo relates, even those favoring reform in Borger tired of the Ranger presence. They believed the Rangers were heavy-handed (spoiler alert – they were) and felt the continued occupation gave Borger a bad reputation.”

— Mark Lardas, Reviewer

What’s next

The Texas Rangers' occupation of Borger continued until August 2027, as they worked to root out corruption and restore order to the town.

The takeaway

The story of Borger's descent into lawlessness and the Texas Rangers' heavy-handed intervention highlights the challenges that some boomtowns faced in the early 20th century, as well as the state's willingness to use force to restore order when local authorities failed to do so.