George West Musgrave – All-Around Bad Man
The annals of the American West are replete with figures who blurred the lines between lawman and lawbreaker, their lives a tapestry woven with threads of ambition, desperation, and violence. Among these figures stands George West Musgrave, a man whose name became synonymous with cattle rustling, robbery, and a general disregard for the established order. Born into a family of some standing in Atascosa County, Texas, on May 27, 1877, Musgrave’s life trajectory defied the expectations of his upbringing, leading him down a path that would ultimately cement his legacy as an "all-around bad man."
Early Life and Influences:
George West Musgrave entered the world at St. Rocky’s Ranch, a 3500-acre property that provided a comfortable existence for his parents, Bennett and Sarah Walker Musgrave. The Musgrave family, while prosperous, was not without its own share of controversy. They were known as a tough bunch, and some members were involved in gambling, horse rustling, and cattle theft, leading to arrests and jail time. This environment, steeped in the traditions of the frontier and tinged with a disregard for legal boundaries, undoubtedly shaped the young Musgrave’s worldview.
The Walker side of the family also contributed to the Musgrave family’s reputation. George’s grandfather, Joseph Walker, was a notorious figure known for his involvement in duels, clashes with Comanche tribes, and feuds with his neighbors. He also participated in the Regulator-Moderator War of Shelby County, Texas, in 1841 and 1842, a violent conflict that further illustrates the turbulent atmosphere in which George West Musgrave was raised.
From Cowboy to Card Shark:
Growing up on a ranch meant that George West Musgrave was exposed to the skills of a cowboy from a young age. He quickly mastered riding, roping, and shooting, displaying a natural talent for handling firearms. He was known to show off his abilities with several revolvers. By the time he reached young adulthood, Musgrave’s reputation extended beyond his ranching skills. He gained notoriety as a skilled card shark and an exceptional marksman, a deadly combination in the gambling saloons and dusty streets of the Old West.
Despite his growing reputation for prowess with cards and guns, Musgrave was described as soft-spoken, cheerful, handsome, and well-dressed. This seemingly contradictory persona – a charming and affable young man capable of violence and deceit – made him an enigmatic figure, someone who defied easy categorization. It was this very duality that perhaps allowed him to navigate the treacherous world of outlaws and lawmen with a certain degree of success. It was an unlikely candidate for murder and robbery.
Joining the High Fives Gang:
George West Musgrave‘s descent into outlawry began in earnest during his late teens when he worked as a cowboy on a ranch in New Mexico. It was there that he crossed paths with Bob Hayes and Code Young, individuals who would later become his partners in crime. He also worked with George T. Parker, a former Texas Ranger, in the cattle business. Parker later betrayed Musgrave by informing the grand jury about Musgrave illegally changing cattle brands. After being tipped off, Musgrave fled.
This association led Musgrave, Hayes, and Young to join forces with Bob and Will "Black Jack" Christian, brothers who were wanted in Oklahoma for the murder of a police officer. This unlikely alliance of cowboys and fugitives formed the nucleus of what would become known as the High Fives Gang. While the gang lacked a formal leader and often operated in smaller groups, the name "Black Jack" Christian frequently appeared in press reports, leading to the misconception that he was the mastermind behind their criminal activities. However, Musgrave was the magnet that brought the five men together to form the gang.
The High Fives Gang quickly gained infamy for a string of robberies that spanned New Mexico and Arizona. They targeted post offices, stagecoaches, stores, and even trains, leaving a trail of chaos and fear in their wake. During this period, George West Musgrave adopted a series of aliases, including Jeff Davis, Jesse Miller, Jesse Johnson, Bill Johnson, and Jesse Williams, in an attempt to evade law enforcement and maintain a semblance of anonymity.
The Nogales Bank Robbery and the Pursuit of Revenge:
The gang’s criminal endeavors took a dramatic turn on August 6, 1896, when they attempted to rob the International Bank in Nogales, Arizona. The robbery went awry when the bank president made a break for the door, and the cashier shot Musgrave in the knee. In the ensuing chaos, Black Jack Christian dropped the bag of money as the gang fled, pursued by a posse led by Sheriff Bob Leatherwood. The outlaws scattered, some escaping into Mexico.
Despite the setback in Nogales, Musgrave’s determination for revenge against George T. Parker led him back to New Mexico with Black Jack Christian and Bob Hayes. They robbed the White Oaks stagecoach at the head of the Mal Pais and then headed to a roundup on the mesa above Picacho, New Mexico, about 50 miles west of Roswell. Upon arriving on October 19, 1896, and confirming Parker’s presence, Musgrave confronted him, declaring his intent to kill him.
In front of the assembled cowboys, Musgrave shot Parker as he dismounted his horse. He then took Parker’s new saddle, and he and his gang members left, taking the same route back to Arizona, robbing the White Oaks stagecoach at the head of the Mal Pais. Deputy Charles D. Mayer formed a posse to pursue the men, but their efforts were fruitless.
The Downfall of the High Fives Gang:
The law caught up with the High Fives Gang on November 18, 1896, at the Diamond A Ranch in the San Simon Valley of southwest New Mexico. A gunfight erupted, resulting in the death of Bob Hayes by lawman Fred Higgins, while Black Jack Christian and George West Musgrave managed to escape.
The relentless pursuit continued, and on April 28, 1897, lawmen tracked the fugitives to a cave near Clifton, Arizona. Another gunfight ensued, and Black Jack Christian was killed.
Life After the High Fives Gang:
Following the death of Black Jack Christian, Musgrave continued to ride with Bob Christian until they were arrested in Fronteras, Senora, Mexico, for "shooting up the town." They were soon released due to a lack of evidence.
Afterward, Musgrave maintained a low profile for several years, but was erroneously given credit for many of the crimes committed in New Mexico. Marshal Creighton Foraker alerted neighboring states to watch out for Musgrave, who had settled with his family in Colorado.
Capture, Trial, and a Train Robbery:
Musgrave was recognized and arrested in North Platte, Nebraska, on December 25, 1909. He was then returned to Roswell, New Mexico, to stand trial for the murder of George Parker. Despite his reputation as a notorious outlaw, Musgrave presented himself in court as an honest family man, with his wife and new baby by his side.
In a surprising turn of events, Musgrave was acquitted based on his claim of self-defense, with testimony suggesting that Parker had drawn his weapon first. The townspeople were impressed with his performance, and one remarked that Musgrave deserved a medal. Following his release on June 10, 1910, Musgrave celebrated his acquittal by robbing a train on his way to Texas.
South American Cattle Rustler and Final Years:
After the trial, George West Musgrave adopted the alias "Robert Stewart" and fled to South America, where he continued his criminal activities as a leading Gringo cattle rustler.
His life of outlawry, which spanned two continents and two centuries, came to an end when he died in Paraguay on August 15, 1947, at the age of 70. He was buried in Cementerio de la Recoleta. George West Musgrave’s life, marked by violence, robbery, and a disregard for the law, cemented his place in the annals of the American West as an "all-around bad man," a figure whose story continues to fascinate and intrigue.