Lincoln County, New Mexico Regulators

The arid landscape of Lincoln County, New Mexico, in the late 1870s, served as the backdrop for a violent and complex conflict known as the Lincoln County War. At the heart of this struggle was a group of young men, ranging in age from adolescence to early adulthood, who would become known as the Lincoln County Regulators. Their story is one of loyalty, revenge, and the brutal realities of frontier justice. These young men became forever etched in the history of the American West.

The seeds of the Lincoln County War were sown in economic rivalry and political corruption. The established mercantile and banking interests, primarily controlled by Lawrence Murphy and James Dolan, held a tight grip on the county’s resources and political power. This monopoly was challenged by the arrival of John Tunstall, a young English rancher and merchant, who sought to establish a competing business and provide an alternative for the local ranchers and farmers.

Tunstall’s ambitions, however, were met with fierce resistance. The Murphy-Dolan faction, threatened by his presence, used their influence to undermine his operations and intimidate his supporters. Tensions escalated, culminating in the tragic ambush and murder of John Tunstall on February 18, 1878, by a posse led by Lincoln County Sheriff William Brady, a known ally of the Murphy-Dolan faction.

The death of Tunstall ignited the powder keg that was Lincoln County. His employees and friends, outraged by his murder and distrustful of the existing legal system, formed a group initially as a deputized posse seeking justice for Tunstall’s death. This group became known as the Lincoln County, New Mexico Regulators.

Alexander McSween, Tunstall’s lawyer and a close friend, played a pivotal role in organizing the Regulators. He rallied together men who had worked for Tunstall, including prominent figures such as Dick Brewer, John Middleton, Henry Newton Brown, Fred Waite, and the infamous Billy the Kid, also known as William Bonney. McSween obtained legal deputization from Justice of the Peace John Wilson, granting the Regulators the authority to serve warrants for the arrest of Tunstall’s alleged murderers.

The initial mission of the Lincoln County, New Mexico Regulators was to bring Tunstall’s killers to justice through legal means. However, the deep-seated corruption within the Lincoln County legal system made this virtually impossible. Sheriff Brady, who was himself implicated in Tunstall’s murder, actively obstructed the Regulators’ efforts and provided protection to the Murphy-Dolan faction.

Frustrated by the lack of progress and fueled by a thirst for revenge, the Lincoln County, New Mexico Regulators resorted to more violent tactics. They engaged in a series of retaliatory actions against those they believed were responsible for Tunstall’s death and the injustices that plagued Lincoln County.

Over the next five months, the conflict escalated into a full-blown range war. More men joined the ranks of the Regulators, including Charlie Bowdre, Jose Chavez y Chavez, George Coe, Frank Coe, Tom O’Folliard, Jim French, William McCloskey, Frank MacNab, Vicente Romero, Yginio Salazar, Josiah Gordon "Doc" Scurlock, Francisco Zamora, John Scroggins, "Tiger Sam" Smith, and "Dirty Steve" Stephens.

Richard M. "Dick" Brewer initially led the Lincoln County, New Mexico Regulators. A seasoned rancher and experienced gunman, Brewer provided the group with leadership and tactical expertise. However, his tenure as leader was tragically cut short when he was killed by Andrew "Buckshot" Roberts during a confrontation at Blazer’s Mill on April 4, 1878.

Following Brewer’s death, Frank MacNab assumed command of the Regulators. MacNab, a close associate of Tunstall and a respected member of the community, continued to lead the group in their pursuit of justice. However, his leadership was also short-lived. On April 29, 1878, MacNab was ambushed and killed by a posse consisting of members of the Jessie Evans Gang and the Seven Rivers Warriors at the Fritz Ranch.

After the death of MacNab, Josiah Gordon "Doc" Scurlock, a former schoolteacher and a man known for his intelligence and courage, stepped up to lead the Regulators. Scurlock continued to lead the group until the height of the conflict.

The Lincoln County War raged on throughout the summer of 1878, with both sides engaging in acts of violence and intimidation. The conflict reached its climax during the "Five-Day Battle" in Lincoln in July 1878. The Regulators, holed up in McSween’s house, were besieged by Sheriff Peppin’s posse. The battle ended with the burning of the McSween house and the death of Alexander McSween himself.

The death of McSween marked a turning point in the Lincoln County War. The Regulators, demoralized and without a clear leader, began to disperse. Although sporadic violence continued for some time, the intensity of the conflict gradually subsided.

In September 1878, President Rutherford B. Hayes took action to restore order in Lincoln County. He removed the corrupt Governor Axtell from office and appointed Lew Wallace, a respected author and Civil War general, as the new governor of New Mexico.

Governor Wallace recognized the need for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. He initially considered implementing martial law in Lincoln County but ultimately decided to offer an amnesty to all those involved in the Lincoln County War, provided they were not already under indictment.

On November 13, 1878, Governor Wallace issued his amnesty proclamation. However, the proclamation specifically excluded Billy the Kid, who had become a symbol of the Regulators and a target of the Murphy-Dolan faction.

Officially, the Lincoln County War ended with Governor Wallace’s amnesty proclamation. However, the underlying tensions and rivalries that had fueled the conflict remained. The war had claimed the lives of at least 19 people and left a lasting scar on the landscape and the collective memory of Lincoln County.

The Lincoln County, New Mexico Regulators became legendary figures in the history of the American West. Some were viewed as heroes, fighting for justice against a corrupt establishment. Others were seen as outlaws, driven by revenge and a disregard for the law. Regardless of perspective, their actions and the Lincoln County War remain a captivating chapter in the tumultuous history of the American frontier. Their story continues to be told and retold, cementing their place in the mythology of the Wild West.