Frank Baker – Fighting in the Lincoln County War
The American West in the late 19th century was a landscape of opportunity, ambition, and often, brutal conflict. Nowhere was this more evident than in Lincoln County, New Mexico, during the tumultuous years of the Lincoln County War. Amidst the cattle barons, hired guns, and struggling settlers, figures like Frank Baker emerged, their allegiances shifting and their actions contributing to the overall narrative of violence and lawlessness. Baker’s story, though often overshadowed by more prominent figures like Billy the Kid, provides a valuable glimpse into the complexities of this era.
Frank Baker‘s life was a study in contradictions. He was simultaneously an outlaw, associated with the notorious Jesse Evans Gang, and a lawman, serving as a deputy sheriff in Lincoln County. This duality was not uncommon in the West, where the line between law and lawlessness was often blurred, and individuals navigated the shifting tides of power and self-preservation. To understand Baker’s role in the Lincoln County War, it is crucial to delve into the context of the conflict itself.
The Lincoln County War, a bloody feud that erupted in 1878, stemmed from a power struggle between two rival factions vying for economic and political control of the region. On one side stood the established Murphy & Dolan Mercantile and Banking Company, a powerful entity that had effectively monopolized trade in Lincoln County. Their dominance was challenged by the arrival of John Tunstall, a wealthy 24-year-old English cattleman and banker, and his partner, Alexander McSween, who established a competing business.
Tunstall’s ambition to break Murphy & Dolan’s stranglehold on the local economy quickly made him enemies. The rivalry escalated into open conflict when Murphy & Dolan obtained a court order to seize some of Tunstall’s horses as payment for a disputed debt. When Tunstall refused to comply, Lincoln County Sheriff William Brady, aligned with Murphy & Dolan, formed a posse to seize the animals by force.
Among the members of this posse was Frank Baker. On February 18, 1878, the posse confronted Tunstall and his men. In the ensuing encounter, Tunstall was shot and killed. This act ignited the Lincoln County War, transforming a simmering business dispute into a full-blown range war.
The death of John Tunstall had a profound impact on the community, particularly on those who had worked for him. One such individual was Billy the Kid, a young cattle guard who had formed a close bond with Tunstall. Enraged by Tunstall’s murder, Billy the Kid, along with Dick Brewer, sought justice through legal channels. They approached John Wilson, the Justice of the Peace in Lincoln, and swore out affidavits and warrants for the arrest of those involved in Tunstall’s death.
Wilson, recognizing the gravity of the situation, ordered Atanacio Martinez, the town constable, to serve the warrants. However, Martinez was hesitant to confront the powerful Murphy & Dolan faction directly. He deputized Billy the Kid and Fred Waite to assist him in serving the warrants. When the trio arrived at the Murphy & Dolan Mercantile, they found it heavily guarded by troops from Fort Stanton and Sheriff William Brady’s own armed men. Brady, emboldened by the presence of the soldiers and his own posse, refused to allow Martinez to make any arrests. Instead, he disarmed the three men and marched them to jail. While Martinez was later released, Billy the Kid and Fred Waite remained incarcerated, missing Tunstall’s funeral.
The failure of legal channels to bring Tunstall’s killers to justice fueled the escalating violence. On March 1, Justice of the Peace John Wilson appointed Dick Brewer as town constable and deputized several others, including Billy the Kid. This group, known as the Regulators, were tasked with bringing Tunstall’s murderers to justice, effectively operating outside the established legal system.
On March 6, the Regulators apprehended Bill Morton and Frank Baker near the Pecos River, approximately 60 miles from Lincoln. Morton and Baker were among those implicated in Tunstall’s murder, and their capture represented a significant victory for the Regulators. However, the journey back to Lincoln would prove to be fraught with peril.
Three days later, on March 9, 1878, as the Regulators and their prisoners made their way back to Lincoln, a dramatic event unfolded. According to the Regulators’ account, Bill Morton suddenly seized William McCloskey’s pistol and shot him dead. McCloskey, a Regulator, had reportedly expressed reservations about the Regulators’ methods and was suspected of sympathizing with Morton and Baker. Following the shooting of McCloskey, Morton attempted to escape, with Frank Baker closely following.
The Regulators, however, were quick to react. Both Morton and Baker were overtaken and killed. The circumstances surrounding their deaths remain a subject of debate. The Regulators claimed that they were forced to kill Morton and Baker in self-defense after Morton’s attempted escape and the shooting of McCloskey. However, critics have suggested that Morton and Baker were deliberately executed by the Regulators, possibly in retaliation for Tunstall’s murder.
The deaths of Morton and Frank Baker further intensified the Lincoln County War, contributing to the cycle of violence and retribution that plagued the region. The actions of the Regulators, including Billy the Kid, became increasingly controversial, blurring the line between law enforcement and vigilantism.
The Lincoln County War continued for several months, claiming the lives of numerous individuals and leaving a lasting scar on the community. The conflict eventually subsided, but the underlying tensions and rivalries remained. Figures like Frank Baker, though perhaps not as widely known as Billy the Kid or John Tunstall, played a crucial role in shaping the events of this tumultuous period.
Frank Baker‘s story serves as a reminder of the complexities of the Old West, where individuals were often forced to make difficult choices in a harsh and unforgiving environment. His dual role as both an outlaw and a lawman reflects the fluid nature of allegiances and the constant struggle for survival. While his actions during the Lincoln County War remain a subject of debate, his participation in the conflict underscores the profound impact of this period on the lives of those who lived through it. The Lincoln County War, with figures like Frank Baker embroiled in its conflicts, remains a significant chapter in the history of the American West, offering valuable insights into the challenges and complexities of a bygone era. The story of Frank Baker is inextricably linked to the broader narrative of the Lincoln County War, a conflict that continues to fascinate and intrigue historians and enthusiasts alike.