DARK HISTORY: THE LINCOLN COUNTY WAR

Ninetoes filled in for Deven for this week’s Dark History, and found himself in Lincoln County, New Mexico. He did not know a war was going to break out, or that he would run into none other than Billy the Kid…oh my!

Hey there, history lovers! It is your old pal, Ninetoes, coming to you from Ninetoes HQ. Today, I am looking at the Lincoln County War of 1878 in New Mexico. I have coffee in my system and my thinking cap on, so let’s get to it!

The Lincoln County War went from 1878 to 1881. It involved two factions that profited from the sales of dry goods and cattle. On one side was a faction dominated by James Dolan, who owned a general store called “The House”. On the other side was Alexander McSween and English-born John Tunstall, who opened a competing general store with the backing of cattleman John Chisum.

Both sides had lawmen and criminal gangs to assist them.

On Dolan’s side was Lincoln County Sheriff William J. Brady and the Jesse Evans Gang.

The Tunstall-McSween side had Tunstall’s ranch hands, known as the Lincoln County Regulators, town constable Richard M. Brewer, and Deputy U.S. Marshal Robert A. Widenmann. It should be noted that infamous outlaw William “Billy the Kid” Bonney fought alongside the Regulators.

What sparked the war was the disbursement of Emil Fritz’s insurance policy.  Fritz was a partner of L.G. Murphy. When Fritz died in 1874, the executors of the estate hired Alexander McSween to collect the insurance policy. After McSween collected the money, he refused to turn it over because the House claimed it was a debt owed to them. McSween was in direct competition with The House and did not want to give it over despite the fact that it was a legitimate claim.

In February 1881, during a court case that would eventually be dismissed, the House obtained a court order to seize all of McSween’s assets. The problem is that Tunstall’s assets were seized as well. Sheriff Brady formed a posse to obtain Tunstall’s remaining assets at his ranch located 70 miles away from Lincoln.

The war went into full swing when John Tunstall was killed by Jesse Evans, William Morton, and Tom Hill. The murder was witnessed by several of Tunstall’s men, including Richard Brewer and Billy the Kid.

The conflict escalated into revenge killings on either side. On July 15, 1878, the battle for Lincoln began. The Regulators were surrounded on two positions: the McSween house and the Ellis store. Opposing both sides for the House were the Dolan/Murphy/Seven Rivers Cowboys. Taunts and shots were exchanged for the next three days. Both sides reached an impasse. The impasse was broken when Colonel Nathan Dudley showed up in town with his troops. They positioned cannons pointed at the Ellis store. Billy the Kid, Doc Scurlock, and the rest fled the store and headed for the McSween house.

In the afternoon, the Murphy/Dolan group set the McSween house on fire. They gave the women and children safe passage from the house. By 9:00 p.m., the men left in the house assessed their situation and fled out the back of the house and used pistol fire for cover. Billy the Kid was among them.

In the end, all the Lincoln County War accomplished was sowing more distrust in the area. The Regulators that survived, most notably Billy the Kid, lived as fugitives. Billy rode with a few of his men, committing various crimes and rustling cattle.

Sheriff Pat Garret was on their trail.

But that is another story for another time.

Until the next time, I bid you successful research.

Darren “Ninetoes” Perdue is a book and media reviewer. When he is not reading, he is watching true crime shows, cooking for his family, or working on a plan for universal domination. If you see him on his porch, say hi. He does not bite…much.

PLEASE NOTE: The views and opinions of the staff of Memento Mori Ink do not necessarily represent those of Memento Mori Ink or Crystal Lake Publishing. Thank you for understanding.