Bill Earhart – Feuding in the Southwest
The tumultuous era of the American Wild West, a period romanticized and often mythologized, was rife with conflict, lawlessness, and personal vendettas. Within this volatile landscape emerged figures whose lives were intertwined with violence and whose names became synonymous with the era’s turbulent spirit. One such individual was William "Bill" Earhart, a cowboy and gunfighter whose life was marked by involvement in several feuds across Texas and New Mexico. His story, though perhaps less widely known than some of his contemporaries, offers a glimpse into the brutal realities and complex social dynamics that characterized the Old West. This is the story of Bill Earhart, a man defined by the feuds of the Southwest.
Born in Jack County, Texas, Earhart’s early life remains largely undocumented. However, by 1883, he had ventured westward, relocating to the expansive territories of New Mexico alongside two companions, Jim and Clay Cooper. This move placed him squarely within a region known for its sprawling cattle ranches, simmering disputes over land and resources, and a general disregard for formal law enforcement. New Mexico in the late 19th century was a melting pot of cultures and ambitions, a place where fortunes could be made and lives could be lost in the blink of an eye. It was in this environment that Bill Earhart’s reputation as a gunfighter began to solidify.
Earhart’s involvement in the Lee-Good Feud of Tularosa in 1888 marked a significant turning point in his life. The Lee-Good Feud was a bitter and protracted conflict between Oliver Lee and cattleman John Good. The feud centered around disputed land claims and accusations of cattle rustling, a common source of conflict in the sparsely populated territories. The Coopers, Earhart’s companions, were aligned with Oliver Lee, drawing Earhart into the escalating tensions. In August of that year, John Good’s son was killed near Las Cruces, New Mexico, by a group of five men. Bill Earhart was allegedly among those responsible for the killing, a charge that, whether true or not, cemented his association with violence and solidified his position within the Lee-Good Feud. The death of Good’s son ignited the feud further, leading to more violence and bloodshed, and further entrenching the involved parties in their respective positions.
Following his alleged involvement in the Lee-Good Feud, Earhart returned to Texas, where he crossed paths with other notorious figures of the Old West, including the infamous "Killin’ Jim" Miller and the legendary John Wesley Hardin. These associations further enhanced his reputation as a dangerous man and placed him within a network of individuals known for their willingness to resort to violence. Jim Miller, in particular, was a figure of considerable notoriety, known for his ruthless efficiency as a hired gun. His association with Bill Earhart suggests a shared inclination towards violence and a willingness to engage in illicit activities.
In the early 1890s, Jim Miller found himself embroiled in a dispute with Pecos County Sheriff Bud Frazer and his brother-in-law, Barney Riggs. Riggs, described as a formidable character in his own right, was reportedly the only man Miller ever feared. This fear, whether genuine or exaggerated, prompted Miller to take drastic measures. He allegedly hired Earhart and another man named John Denson to assassinate Riggs, eliminating a perceived threat and resolving the dispute through deadly force. This decision set in motion a chain of events that would ultimately lead to Earhart’s demise.
The plot to assassinate Barney Riggs was not executed in secrecy. While in a saloon in Fort Stockton, Texas, Earhart and Denson were overheard making threats against Riggs. Their careless words alerted those present to their intentions, and the information soon reached the ears of U.S. Deputy Marshal Dee Harkey. Harkey, recognizing the gravity of the situation, sent a warning telegram to Pecos, alerting Riggs to the impending danger. This intervention provided Riggs with a crucial advantage, allowing him to anticipate the arrival of his would-be assassins and prepare accordingly.
Upon arriving in Pecos, Earhart and Denson found Riggs to be elusive, as he avoided them thanks to the advance warning. However, their persistence ultimately led them to R.S. Johnson’s Saloon on the morning of March 3, 1896. Riggs was substituting for a friend as a bartender, working alone within the saloon. Seizing the opportunity, Earhart and Denson burst into the room, initiating a violent confrontation. Earhart fired a shot that grazed Riggs, prompting an immediate and decisive response. Riggs returned fire, striking Earhart and killing him instantly.
The death of Bill Earhart marked the abrupt end to his life of violence and involvement in the Southwest’s feuds. However, the confrontation was not yet over. Following the shooting of Earhart, Riggs grappled with Denson, who attempted to flee the scene. Riggs pursued Denson, eventually shooting him in the back of the head, killing him on the spot. In the aftermath of the deadly encounter, Riggs surrendered himself to the authorities. He was subsequently tried for murder but was ultimately acquitted, suggesting that the jury believed his actions were justified in self-defense.
The story of Bill Earhart provides a stark illustration of the violence and instability that characterized the American Old West. His involvement in feuds, his association with notorious figures, and his eventual demise in a bloody shootout all paint a picture of a man whose life was defined by the lawless environment in which he lived. While he may not be a household name like some of his contemporaries, his story serves as a reminder of the many individuals who lived and died by the gun in the tumultuous era of the Wild West. His legacy, etched in the annals of frontier history, remains a testament to the harsh realities and enduring legends of the Southwest.