Frank MacNab – Killed in the Lincoln County War

The rugged landscapes of 19th-century New Mexico Territory served as the backdrop for a bloody and protracted conflict known as the Lincoln County War. Amidst the cattle rustling, political maneuvering, and personal vendettas, emerged figures who would become inextricably linked to the era’s lore. One such individual was Frank MacNab, a man of Scottish descent who played a crucial, albeit brief, role in the tumultuous events that defined the Lincoln County War. This article delves into the life and times of MacNab, tracing his journey from cattle detective to a fallen figure in one of the Old West’s most notorious feuds.

MacNab’s story begins in the early 1870s, a time when the cattle industry was rapidly expanding across the American West. He found employment as a "cattle detective" for Hunter, Evans, & Company, a business venture under the management of the prominent Texas cattleman John Chisum. The role of a cattle detective was vital, demanding vigilance and often courage. It involved tracking down and apprehending rustlers who preyed on the vast herds grazing across the open ranges. Chisum’s operations were extensive, making him a prime target for cattle thieves, and MacNab proved to be a valuable asset in protecting his employer’s interests.

In 1875, Chisum decided to relocate his cattle operations to Lincoln County, New Mexico, drawn by the promise of fertile grazing lands and new opportunities. MacNab, loyal and dependable, followed his employer, becoming deeply embedded in the burgeoning community of Lincoln. Little did he know that this move would thrust him into the heart of a simmering conflict that would soon explode into full-blown warfare.

Lincoln County in the 1870s was a place of stark contrasts. The untamed beauty of the landscape belied the intense rivalries and power struggles that gripped the region. At the center of this turmoil was a bitter feud between two factions. On one side were Lawrence Murphy and James Dolan, who controlled the only store in Lincoln County and effectively monopolized the area’s economy. Their dominance was challenged by Alexander McSween, a local lawyer, and John Tunstall, a newly arrived English merchant. McSween and Tunstall sought to break the Murphy-Dolan stranglehold by establishing a rival business in 1876.

John Chisum, seeing an opportunity to diversify his own interests and challenge the existing power structure, threw his support behind McSween and Tunstall. This alliance solidified the battle lines of the Lincoln County War. Frank MacNab, as a loyal associate of Chisum, naturally aligned himself with the McSween-Tunstall faction, thus placing him directly in the crosshairs of the escalating conflict. The Lincoln County War wasn’t just about business; it was a clash of ideologies, a struggle for control, and a breeding ground for violence.

The catalyst for the war was the murder of John Tunstall on February 18, 1878. This act ignited the powder keg of resentment and animosity that had been building for years. In response to Tunstall’s killing, a group of men, driven by a thirst for justice and revenge, formed a vigilante posse known as the Regulators. These men were deputized to serve warrants on those believed to be responsible for Tunstall’s death. Richard "Dick" Brewer, a respected rancher, was chosen as the leader of the Regulators, with Frank MacNab serving as his second-in-command.

The Regulators were a diverse group, united by their shared outrage and determination. Among their ranks were men who would later become legends of the Old West, including William H. Bonney, better known as Billy the Kid. Frank MacNab quickly established himself as a capable and resolute figure within the group, earning the trust and respect of his fellow Regulators.

On March 9, 1878, the Regulators were pursuing Frank Baker and William Morton, two men suspected of involvement in Tunstall’s murder. The situation quickly escalated when the Regulators caught up with Baker and Morton. Rather than bringing them in for trial, the Regulators seemingly intended to summarily execute them. However, a Regulator named William McCloskey, who was also thought to be a Murphy/Dolan partisan, objected to the planned killings. What happened next is a matter of historical debate, but the generally accepted account states that Frank MacNab shot and killed McCloskey. In the ensuing chaos, Baker and Morton attempted to flee, but they were gunned down, allegedly by Billy the Kid.

The killings of McCloskey, Baker, and Morton marked a significant turning point in the Lincoln County War. The Regulators were now considered outlaws, hunted by law enforcement and the Murphy-Dolan faction. The violence escalated, and the lines between law and lawlessness blurred. Less than a month later, on April 1, 1878, the Regulators were involved in a daring shootout in front of the Lincoln County Courthouse. MacNab, along with Billy the Kid and several other Regulators, ambushed Sheriff William Brady and his deputies, who were known allies of the Murphy-Dolan faction. In the hail of gunfire, Sheriff Brady and Deputy George Hindman were killed.

The Lincoln County Courthouse shootout was a brazen act of defiance that further inflamed the already volatile situation. The Regulators were now wanted for the murders of two law enforcement officers, and the full weight of the territorial government was brought to bear against them. Three days later, on April 4, 1878, the Regulators found themselves engaged in another deadly gunfight at Blazer’s Mill, a strategically important location in the region. During this intense encounter, Richard Brewer, the leader of the Regulators, was killed.

With Brewer’s death, Frank MacNab assumed command of the Regulators. He was now responsible for leading a group of outlaws against overwhelming odds. However, his tenure as leader would be tragically short-lived. On April 29, 1878, while riding south of Lincoln with fellow Regulators Ab Saunders and Frank Coe, MacNab was ambushed by the Seven Rivers Warriors, a group of local gunmen aligned with the Murphy-Dolan faction. In the ensuing gunfight, Frank MacNab was killed. Saunders was wounded, and Coe surrendered.

The death of Frank MacNab was a major blow to the Regulators. They had lost another key leader, and their ranks were dwindling. Josiah "Doc" Scurlock, another prominent member of the group, then took command of the Regulators, vowing to avenge MacNab’s death. In a retaliatory strike on May 15, 1878, the Regulators raided the Seven Rivers Warriors camp, killing Manuel Segovia, who was believed to have been the one who shot MacNab.

The Lincoln County War continued to rage for several more months, claiming more lives and further destabilizing the region. Finally, in November 1878, the governor of New Mexico threatened to declare martial law in Lincoln County, forcing a semblance of peace. In the end, all but Billy the Kid were granted amnesty for their participation in the conflict, which had claimed the lives of an estimated 19 men.

Frank MacNab’s story is a microcosm of the larger Lincoln County War, a conflict marked by violence, betrayal, and the clash of competing interests. While his time in the spotlight was brief, his actions and his ultimate fate contributed to the legend of the Lincoln County War and its enduring place in the history of the American West. He went from a cattle detective, tracking rustlers, to a leader of a vigilante group, seeking justice, and finally, to a casualty of a bloody and unforgiving war.