John Chisum – Cattle Baron on the Pecos
John Chisum, a name synonymous with cattle empires and frontier life in the American West, carved his legacy as a prominent cattle baron who drove vast herds of longhorns from the expansive grazing lands of Texas into the territories of New Mexico during the mid-19th century. His story is one of ambition, enterprise, and involvement in the turbulent events that shaped the Southwest. He would collaborate with fellow cattlemen like Charles Goodnight and Oliver Loving, establish one of the largest cattle ranches in the region, and find himself deeply embroiled in the infamous Lincoln County War.
Born on August 15, 1824, in Hardeman County, Tennessee, John Chisum’s early life provided little indication of the cattle empire he would later build. In 1837, his family migrated to Texas, a land of opportunity and vast open spaces. As a teenager, he quickly adapted to the Texan environment, finding employment as a building contractor, demonstrating an early aptitude for business and management. His civic-mindedness led him to serve as the County Clerk in Lamar County, further honing his administrative skills and deepening his understanding of the burgeoning Texan society.
The year 1854 marked a pivotal point in Chisum’s life. He relocated to Denton County, establishing himself on Clear Creek, a location strategically chosen just three miles from the town of Bolivar. This move signaled his intent to enter the world of cattle ranching. Initially, he worked for a well-established rancher, learning the intricacies of cattle management and the challenges of the open range. During this period, he began to acquire his own herd, laying the foundation for his future cattle kingdom. It was also during this time that Chisum purchased a young mulatto slave girl named Jensie from emigrants passing through on their way to California. Jensie, only 15 years old, was described as beautiful, and Chisum entered into a relationship with her. The couple would eventually have two daughters.
The outbreak of the Civil War brought about significant changes in Chisum’s life and moral compass. Recognizing the injustice of slavery, he made the decision to emancipate all his slaves, including Jensie. Demonstrating a sense of responsibility and care, Chisum provided Jensie and his daughters with a home in Bonham, Texas, and ensured their financial well-being. This act highlights a complex facet of his character, revealing a sense of social conscience amidst the often-harsh realities of the era.
By the early 1860s, John Chisum had successfully built a substantial herd, numbering over 100,000 head of cattle. This achievement marked him as a significant player in the cattle industry and propelled him to expand his operations beyond Texas. He became one of the first to drive his herds into the New Mexico Territory, recognizing the potential for vast grazing lands and lucrative markets. He established a ranch in the Bosque Grande, situated approximately forty miles south of Fort Sumner, strategically positioning himself to supply the fort and surrounding settlements with beef.
In the years 1866 and 1867, Chisum formed a partnership with fellow cattlemen Charles Goodnight and Oliver Loving, two figures who would become legendary in their own right. Together, they embarked on ambitious cattle drives to supply the U.S. Army stationed at Fort Sumner and Santa Fe, New Mexico. These drives were fraught with danger, including harsh weather conditions, difficult terrain, and the constant threat of attacks by Native American tribes. The partnership faced a tragic setback in 1868 when Oliver Loving succumbed to a Comanche arrow. Despite this loss, Chisum continued his partnership with Goodnight, and over the next five years, their business flourished, solidifying Chisum’s reputation as a shrewd and capable cattleman.
The year 1875 marked another significant milestone in Chisum’s career. He purchased the 40-acre South Spring Ranch, located three miles south of Roswell, New Mexico. This ranch became the headquarters of his sprawling cattle empire, which extended for an impressive 150 miles along the Pecos River. The South Spring Ranch served as a hub for his operations, providing a central location for managing his vast herds and coordinating his business activities. The Pecos River, with its life-giving waters, became the lifeblood of his ranching empire. The landscape along the river, characterized by arid plains, rugged canyons, and scattered cottonwood trees, provided a challenging but ultimately rewarding environment for cattle ranching.
During this period, John Chisum formed a friendship with Alexander McSween, a lawyer residing in Lincoln County, New Mexico. McSween, along with John Tunstall, found themselves embroiled in a bitter feud with Lawrence Murphy and James Dolan, who controlled the only store in Lincoln County and monopolized the area’s economy. This economic dominance allowed Murphy and Dolan to exert considerable influence over the county’s residents, leading to resentment and conflict. Chisum, recognizing the injustice of the situation, decided to support McSween and Tunstall when they opened a rival business in 1876, challenging the established monopoly and offering the residents of Lincoln County an alternative. This act of defiance sparked a chain of events that would ultimately lead to the infamous Lincoln County War.
The Lincoln County War was a complex and bloody conflict that pitted rival factions against each other in a battle for economic and political control of the county. While John Chisum does not appear to have been directly involved in the violent gunfights and battles that characterized the war, he played a significant role behind the scenes. He was known to provide sanctuary and financial assistance to those fighting on the side of McSween and Tunstall, effectively becoming a key supporter of their cause.
Before the Lincoln County War reached its conclusion, both McSween and Tunstall were killed, and Billy the Kid, a young and charismatic outlaw, became a wanted fugitive. Governor Lew Wallace, seeking to restore order to the troubled county, proclaimed an amnesty for all those involved in the feud, with the notable exception of Billy the Kid. This decision further complicated the already volatile situation and set the stage for future conflicts.
Despite supporting the same side during the Lincoln County War, Billy the Kid and John Chisum found themselves at odds once the conflict subsided and the amnesty was proclaimed. Billy the Kid, believing that Chisum owed him $500 for his services during the war, approached the cattle baron seeking payment. Chisum, however, refused to pay, leading to a breakdown in their relationship. In retaliation, Billy the Kid and his gang of "Rustlers," including notorious figures such as Dave Rudabaugh, Billy Wilson, Tom O’Folliard, and Charles Bowdre, began to steal Chisum’s cattle. This act of betrayal marked a turning point in their relationship and further fueled the violence and lawlessness that plagued the region.
In 1880, Chisum threw his support behind the election of Pat Garrett as Lincoln County Sheriff, believing that Garrett possessed the skills and determination necessary to quell the cattle rustling problem that was plaguing the area. Chisum’s assessment proved to be accurate. Garrett, a former buffalo hunter with a reputation for toughness and integrity, quickly set about restoring order to Lincoln County.
In December 1880, Garrett and his posse engaged in a series of confrontations with Billy the Kid’s gang, resulting in the deaths of Tom O’Folliard and Charles Bowdre. Shortly afterward, Billy the Kid, Dave Rudabaugh, and Billy Wilson were captured. Billy the Kid, however, managed to escape from custody, setting off a relentless pursuit by Garrett. The chase culminated in Fort Sumner, New Mexico, where Garrett fatally shot Billy the Kid on July 14, 1881. The death of Billy the Kid marked the end of an era and brought a measure of peace to Lincoln County.
In 1883, John Chisum discovered a tumor on his neck and traveled to Kansas City for treatment the following year. The tumor was successfully removed, and he returned to New Mexico, hoping to resume his life and business activities. However, his health continued to deteriorate, and he traveled to Eureka Springs, Arkansas, seeking relief from the "healing waters" of the region. Despite these efforts, the tumor returned and grew larger.
On December 22, 1884, John Chisum succumbed to cancer. His body was returned to Paris, Texas, where he was buried. He left an estate worth $500,000 to his brothers, Pitzer and James. His legacy as a cattle baron, a frontier entrepreneur, and a figure intertwined with the tumultuous history of the American West remains a significant chapter in the annals of the Southwest.