John Good – Gunfighting Rancher
The annals of the American West are filled with tales of rugged individuals who carved their destinies from the untamed landscapes. Among these figures stands John Good, a man whose life was a tapestry woven with threads of ranching, gunfights, and a relentless pursuit of fortune. This John Good‘s story, set against the backdrop of Texas and New Mexico, embodies the volatile spirit of the era, where opportunity and danger often walked hand in hand.
Early Life and Troubles in Texas
The narrative of John Good begins in Texas, where he established himself as a rancher. However, his initial reputation was far from that of a law-abiding citizen. He was known as an intimidating and bullying figure, operating a ranch stocked with cattle suspected of being stolen, west of Austin. This image of John Good as a rough character was solidified in an incident on June 10, 1877, in Blanco City. A man named Robinson accused him of horse theft, leading to a confrontation. As Robinson attempted to draw his revolver, it became entangled in his clothing. Good seized the opportunity, firing four shots into Robinson, resulting in his death. This event marked a significant turning point in John Good’s life, cementing his association with violence.
Another incident followed sometime later, after a cattle drive to Newton, Texas. Good was present when a man named Ed Crawford killed Cad Pierce. While not directly involved in this shooting, Good’s proximity to such events further contributed to his growing reputation as a man associated with danger.
Shifting Fortunes and a Move to New Mexico
Seeking a fresh start, Good sold his ranch and relocated to Coleman, Texas, where he ventured into the hotel business. However, his abrasive personality and continued bullying behavior made him unwelcome in the community. His stay in Coleman was short-lived, and he soon moved again, this time to Colorado City, Texas, in 1880. He then continued westward, establishing another ranch near La Luz, New Mexico.
It was in La Luz that John Good‘s life took an unexpected turn with the introduction of a woman named Bronco Sue Yonkers. Bronco Sue was a notorious figure in her own right, known for her own violent past, including the alleged killing of a man in 1884. Their relationship was a passionate, and perhaps turbulent, affair.
Jealousy and Another Shooting
The dynamic between Good and Yonkers shifted dramatically with the arrival of Good’s wife and children in 1885. Bronco Sue quickly moved on, becoming involved with a man named Charley Dawson. Despite the presence of his family, Good could not suppress his jealousy at seeing Bronco Sue with another man. On December 8, 1884, he confronted Dawson and shot him dead.
Unlike the incident in Blanco City, this time Good did not flee. He remained in the area, determined to build a new life. He developed a large ranch and constructed a ten-room adobe house in 1885, demonstrating a commitment to establishing himself as a successful and respected member of the community. He proved to be a capable rancher and businessman, accumulating considerable wealth.
The Lee-Good Feud
Despite his apparent success, Good’s volatile temper remained a constant threat. In 1888, he clashed with a young ranch hand named George McDonald, who was a friend of Oliver Lee, a prominent nearby rancher. McDonald was found dead, and his friends blamed Walter Good, one of John’s sons, for the killing. This accusation ignited the Lee-Good Feud, a bloody conflict that would further stain Good’s legacy.
The feud escalated quickly. Walter Good was shot dead, allegedly by Lee’s men. Consumed by grief and vengeance, John Good assembled a five-man posse to avenge his son’s death. They engaged in a fierce battle with Lee and his supporters, but Good and his party were ultimately forced to retreat.
A Life in Decline
The Lee-Good Feud marked the beginning of the end for John Good’s prosperous life in New Mexico. Disheartened and perhaps fearing further repercussions, he disposed of his property and drifted westward, first into Arizona and then into Oklahoma. The once-prominent rancher was last noted working for small wages, a stark contrast to the wealth and influence he had once possessed.
A Complex Legacy
John Good’s life is a complex and contradictory tale. He was a rancher, a businessman, and a family man. But he was also a man of violence, prone to anger and involved in multiple shootings. His story reflects the harsh realities of the Old West, where survival often depended on a willingness to use force. He was a product of his time, a man shaped by the unforgiving landscape and the ever-present threat of danger. While his actions cannot be excused, they must be understood within the context of the era in which he lived. John Good‘s life serves as a reminder of the complexities and contradictions that defined the American West, a land where legends were made and broken with equal measure.