William A. A. Wallace

"Bigfoot" William Alexander Anderson Wallace was a well-known Texas Ranger who fought in several of the Republic of Texas and United States' military confrontations in the 1840s, including the Mexican-American War. Wallace led a ranger force in the 1850s that fought both Native Americans and border robbers. He was so skilled in trailing that people regularly used him to find escaped slaves who were trying to reach Mexico. He once traveled to El Paso and ate 27 eggs at the first Mexican house he came to before continuing to town for a full dinner after losing his mules to Comanches. He drove a postal hack from San Antonio to El Paso.

He assisted in defending the border against Comanches during the American Civil War. Wallace had owned a modest ranch on the Medina River on land that the state of Texas had given to him. His final years were spent in South Texas, close to a little community called Bigfoot. He was never wed. He was a kind and laid-back man who enjoyed telling tales about his professional life while relaxing in a large chair with a cowhide bottom in the shadow of his shack. Wallace was frank about himself but enjoyed "stretching the blanket" and making up stories. The town of Bigfoot, Texas in Frio County and Wallace Creek in Bandera County are both named after "Bigfoot" Wallace.