“Colonel” Thomas Means – A Really Mean Man
The annals of the American West are filled with tales of rugged individuals, frontier justice, and the constant struggle between order and lawlessness. Among these narratives, the story of Thomas Means, often referred to as "Colonel" Thomas Means, stands out as a stark example of a man whose actions ultimately led to his demise at the hands of vigilante justice in the burgeoning territory of New Mexico. This is a tale of a man whose presence cast a shadow over the community of Taos, a surveyor by trade, but remembered more for his belligerence and cruelty.
The story of "Colonel" Thomas Means unfolds in the backdrop of the American Southwest, a region undergoing rapid transformation in the mid-19th century. Following the inauguration of civil government by the Americans, the New Mexico Territory attracted a diverse array of individuals, all seeking opportunity and a new life. Among them was Thomas Means, a surveyor by profession, who would soon become a figure of notoriety.
Means first made his mark in Colfax County, an area deeply embroiled in the tumultuous events of the Colfax County War, a conflict intertwined with the complex history of the Maxwell Land Grant. This vast expanse of land became a battleground for competing claims, sparking violence and legal disputes that shaped the region’s destiny. While his exact role in the Colfax County War remains somewhat obscured by the passage of time, it is clear that Means was involved in the events that defined this turbulent period. This set the stage for his eventual move to Taos, where his reputation would take an even darker turn.
Upon settling in Taos, "Colonel" Thomas Means quickly established himself as a disruptive and malevolent presence. His abrasive personality and confrontational behavior created a climate of fear and unease among the town’s residents. It wasn’t merely a matter of social awkwardness or occasional disagreements; Means’s actions were characterized by a pattern of insolence, verbal abuse, and physical aggression.
His behavior extended beyond mere insults and arguments. Means was known to physically attack those around him, often without provocation. This pattern of violence and intimidation made life miserable for anyone who had the misfortune of crossing his path. What is more, his cruelty extended into his own home.
Perhaps the most disturbing aspect of "Colonel" Thomas Means’s behavior was the repeated abuse he inflicted upon his wife. On several occasions, his violent outbursts escalated to the point where her life was endangered. These acts of domestic violence shocked the community and fueled the growing resentment towards Means. Despite the severity of his actions, the legal avenues for redress seemed ineffective, leaving the citizens of Taos feeling helpless and desperate.
As Means’s reign of terror continued, the residents of Taos sought legal recourse through the established courts, but these attempts proved futile. The wheels of justice turned slowly, and the punishments meted out, if any, seemed insufficient to deter Means from his violent ways. Frustration mounted as the community realized that the traditional legal system was unable to provide them with the protection they desperately needed.
In response to the perceived failure of the courts, a group of concerned citizens decided to take matters into their own hands. In 1868, they formed a Vigilance Committee, a common institution on the American frontier where communities felt compelled to bypass formal legal processes and deliver their own form of justice. These committees, often shrouded in secrecy, represented a radical departure from established legal norms, reflecting the unique challenges and circumstances of frontier life. The vigilantes warned "Colonel" Thomas Means that his violent actions would have consequences, but he ignored their warnings.
The formation of the Vigilance Committee marked a turning point in the story of "Colonel" Thomas Means. These groups typically operated outside the bounds of the law, aiming to restore order and safety to communities plagued by crime and violence. While their actions were often controversial, they were seen by some as a necessary evil in the absence of effective law enforcement. In the case of Thomas Means, the Vigilance Committee viewed him as an incorrigible menace who posed a grave threat to the peace and well-being of Taos.
The events that ultimately sealed Means’s fate occurred on January 2, 1867. Following a period of heavy drinking, Means launched into another violent rampage, drawing his knife, firing his pistol at bystanders, and brutally assaulting his wife, nearly killing her. This latest episode of violence proved to be the final straw. Authorities arrested him, but the citizens of Taos, fearing that he would once again escape justice, decided to intervene.
That night, a group of fifteen to twenty heavily armed men, their identities concealed by disguises, stormed the room where Means was being held. Overpowering his guards, they forcibly removed him from custody and dragged him to an adjoining room in the county courthouse. There, they hanged him from a heavy rafter, bringing a swift and decisive end to his reign of terror.
In the aftermath of Means’s execution, a coroner’s jury was convened to investigate the circumstances of his death. Their verdict, however, reflected the prevailing sentiment in Taos. The jury declared that Means was "not deserving of the sympathy of anyone, being as he was altogether a dangerous character, continually threatening the lives of peaceable citizens, without distinction and even the lives of members of his own family and innocent children." The official conclusion was that Means had died at the hands of "persons unknown," a tacit acknowledgement of the community’s complicity in his demise.
The following day, the residents of Taos openly celebrated the removal of one of its most troublesome and dangerous members. The death of "Colonel" Thomas Means marked the end of a dark chapter in the town’s history, a period marked by fear, violence, and the failure of traditional legal mechanisms. While the actions of the Vigilance Committee raised ethical questions about the nature of justice and the rule of law, they were seen by many as a necessary response to an intolerable situation.
The story of Thomas Means serves as a chilling reminder of the harsh realities of life on the American frontier, where the line between order and chaos was often blurred. It is a tale of a man whose cruelty and violence ultimately led to his downfall, and of a community that felt compelled to take the law into its own hands in the pursuit of justice.
The legacy of "Colonel" Thomas Means is a complex one, fraught with ethical dilemmas and questions about the nature of justice. While his actions were undoubtedly reprehensible, the decision to resort to vigilante justice raises concerns about the erosion of legal principles and the potential for abuse. Nevertheless, the story of Thomas Means remains a compelling and cautionary tale, offering a glimpse into the darker side of the American West and the challenges faced by communities struggling to establish order in a lawless land.