John Denson – A Bad Seed
The annals of the American West are filled with tales of legendary figures, both heroic and villainous. Among the shadowy figures lurking in the historical record is John Denson, a name often whispered in the same breath as notorious outlaws and hired guns. This article delves into the life and misdeeds of John Denson, exploring his connections to some of the West’s most infamous characters and the violent episodes that marked his brief but impactful existence.
John Denson‘s story begins with his lineage. He was the son of Mary Jane Clements, a sister to Mannie Clements, himself a figure of considerable repute (or disrepute, depending on one’s perspective). Furthermore, John Denson was a cousin to the infamous John Wesley Hardin, a name synonymous with gunfighting and frontier justice. This familial connection placed John Denson within a network of individuals known for their propensity for violence and disregard for the law. It’s often said that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, and in John Denson‘s case, this proverb seemed to hold a grim truth. He quickly earned a reputation that rivaled, and perhaps even surpassed, that of his notorious relatives.
His path intertwined with that of another notorious figure, Killin’ Jim Miller, through marriage. This alliance proved fateful, drawing Denson into the turbulent waters of the Frazer-Miller Feud in Pecos, Texas. This bloody conflict, which began in 1892, provides a stark backdrop to Denson’s criminal activities. The feud originated from a falling out between Miller and Reeves County Sheriff Bud Frazer, who had previously employed Miller. The reasons for Frazer firing Miller are shrouded in the mists of time, but the consequences were immediate and violent.
The situation escalated when Miller allegedly concocted a scheme to eliminate Frazer. However, the plot was overheard by a man named Con Gibson, who promptly alerted authorities. In May 1893, Miller, along with Mannie Clements and Martin Hardin, were arrested for conspiracy to commit murder. The ensuing trial was scheduled to take place in El Paso, Texas, a location that perhaps offered a greater sense of security and impartiality given the volatile atmosphere in Pecos.
However, Con Gibson, fearing for his life, fled before the trial could commence. His escape was short-lived. On June 1, 1894, Gibson was tracked down and murdered in a saloon in Eddy (now Carlsbad), New Mexico. The perpetrator was none other than John Denson. This act cemented Denson’s reputation as a dangerous and ruthless individual, willing to cross state lines and commit cold-blooded murder to protect the interests of his associates.
The audacity of the killing in Eddy drew significant attention, and the local newspaper, the Eddy Current, reported on the incident. However, John Denson took exception to the paper’s coverage. Enraged by what he perceived as unfair or inaccurate reporting, Denson attacked the editor, William H. Mullane, with a club. The assault, a blatant act of intimidation and censorship, resulted in a mere $5.00 fine for Denson. This lenient punishment likely emboldened him further, reinforcing his belief that he could operate outside the bounds of the law with impunity.
The year 1894 continued to be a tumultuous one for John Denson. In September, he was accused of invading the home of a Mrs. Juan Aureloa and attempting to rape her. When her husband intervened to defend his wife, Denson allegedly fired four shots. He was subsequently arrested and released on $300 bail. The charges were serious, reflecting a disturbing pattern of violence and disregard for the sanctity of human life.
Later that same year, Denson became embroiled in an altercation with a gambler and sometime law officer named Richard Alonzo "Lon" Bass, wounding him slightly. This incident led to yet another arrest for Denson. His brushes with the law were becoming increasingly frequent, painting a picture of a man spiraling further into a life of crime.
In March 1895, a surprising figure entered the fray: John Wesley Hardin, Denson’s cousin. Hardin, having studied law while incarcerated, had become an attorney and offered to defend Denson, who was facing a multitude of charges. Hardin managed to arrange for Denson’s bail, but the respite was temporary. Denson, unwilling to face the consequences of his actions, skipped town and headed to Pecos, Texas, where he once again joined forces with Jim Miller.
By early 1896, Jim Miller had set his sights on eliminating Barney Riggs, the brother-in-law of Bud Frazer, the sheriff with whom Miller had previously feuded. Riggs was allegedly the only man Miller ever feared, making his elimination a priority. Miller, along with John Denson and another man named Bill Earhart, hatched a plan to assassinate Riggs.
However, fate intervened. While Denson and Earhart were discussing the scheme in a Fort Stockton saloon, their conversation was overheard by a patron who promptly notified U.S. Deputy Marshal Dee Harkey. Harkey, recognizing the gravity of the situation, wired a warning telegram to Riggs in Pecos.
Riggs, forewarned, initially managed to avoid his would-be assassins. However, on the morning of March 3, 1896, while substituting for a friend as a bartender in R.S. Johnson’s Saloon, Riggs found himself alone. Denson and Earhart seized the opportunity, bursting into the saloon. Earhart fired a shot that grazed Riggs, who immediately returned fire, killing Earhart instantly.
A fierce struggle ensued between Riggs and John Denson. In the chaos, Denson managed to flee the saloon. However, Riggs, fueled by adrenaline and a desire for revenge, pursued Denson. Riggs shot Denson in the back of the head, killing him on the spot. John Denson‘s life of violence had come to a violent end.
Riggs surrendered himself to the authorities. He was subsequently tried for murder, but the jury acquitted him, likely swayed by the circumstances surrounding the shooting and the fact that he was acting in self-defense.
The story of John Denson is a grim reminder of the lawlessness and violence that characterized the American West. His life, marked by murder, assault, and attempted rape, stands as a stark contrast to the romanticized image often portrayed in popular culture. He was a product of his environment, influenced by his notorious relatives and the brutal realities of frontier life. While his name may not be as widely recognized as those of his more famous contemporaries, John Denson‘s story remains a chilling testament to the dark side of the American West. His legacy is a cautionary tale, a reminder that the pursuit of justice and order was often a bloody and imperfect process.