Seven Rivers Warriors of New Mexico
The vast, untamed landscapes of the American West in the late 19th century were fertile ground for legends, both heroic and villainous. Among the many tales that emerged from this era, the story of the Seven Rivers Warriors of New Mexico stands out as a complex narrative of frustration, rebellion, and ultimately, disintegration. Operating primarily in the 1870s in the Seven Rivers region of southeastern Lincoln County, this group of men, mostly small-time ranchers, carved a niche for themselves in the tumultuous history of the time.
Origins and Motivations
The genesis of the Seven Rivers Warriors was rooted in the economic disparities and simmering resentments of the era. At the heart of their discontent was John Chisum, a prominent cattle baron whose vast herds, numbering over 100,000 head, dominated the grazing lands of the region. The small ranchers of the Seven Rivers area felt marginalized, their livelihoods threatened by Chisum’s immense wealth and influence.
In response to what they perceived as an unfair situation, a group of these ranchers banded together, forming the Seven Rivers Warriors. Their primary objective was to retaliate against Chisum by engaging in cattle rustling, targeting his extensive livestock holdings. This act of defiance was not merely about economic gain; it was a statement of resistance against the perceived oppression of the cattle barons who controlled the region.
The Lincoln County War
The Seven Rivers Warriors’ involvement in the infamous Lincoln County War further solidified their place in the history of the American West. When John Chisum threw his support behind the Tunstall/McSween faction in the conflict, the Warriors quickly aligned themselves with the opposing Dolan-Murphy faction. This decision was driven by their animosity towards Chisum and their desire to challenge his influence in the region.
During the Lincoln County War, the Seven Rivers Warriors often collaborated with other notorious gangs, such as the Jesse Evans Gang and the John Kinney Gang. These alliances provided them with additional manpower and resources, enabling them to participate more effectively in the conflict. The Warriors’ association with the Dolan-Murphy faction placed them in direct opposition to the Lincoln County Regulators, a group of men formed to counter the gunmen on the side of Tunstall and McSween.
Leadership and Connections
The Seven Rivers Warriors were led by Henry M. "Hugh" Beckwith, a figure who wielded considerable influence within the gang and the wider community. Beckwith’s leadership was crucial to the Warriors’ success, providing them with direction and strategy in their endeavors.
One of the key factors that enabled the Seven Rivers Warriors to operate with relative impunity was their connections to local law enforcement. Several members of the gang held positions of authority, including Bob Beckwith and Wallace Olinger, who served as deputies for Sheriff William J. Brady. Additionally, Bob Olinger held the prestigious position of U.S. Deputy Marshal. These connections provided the Warriors with a degree of protection from prosecution, allowing them to carry out their activities without fear of reprisal.
Decline and Disintegration
Despite their initial success and influence, the Seven Rivers Warriors eventually succumbed to internal conflicts and external pressures. The Lincoln County War took a heavy toll on the gang, with several members killed in the conflict. As the war drew to a close, tensions began to rise within the group, leading to infighting and ultimately, disintegration.
One of the most notable instances of internal conflict occurred when Hugh Beckwith killed fellow gang member Bill Johnson on August 17, 1878. This act of violence marked a turning point for the Seven Rivers Warriors, signaling the beginning of their decline. Just over a year later, on August 26, 1879, John Jones killed John Beckwith, further fracturing the already fragile unity of the gang.
The demise of the Seven Rivers Warriors was hastened by the death of Bob Olinger, a U.S. Deputy Marshal and prominent member of the gang. Olinger was killed by Billy the Kid on April 28, 1881, during a daring jail escape in Lincoln, New Mexico. With Olinger’s death, the Seven Rivers Warriors lost a key figure and a valuable connection to law enforcement.
In the aftermath of these events, the Seven Rivers Warriors dissolved, with members scattering in different directions. Some chose to abandon their outlaw ways, finding work as cowboys and ranchers. Others transitioned into law enforcement, utilizing their knowledge of the criminal underworld to uphold the law. However, a few continued to pursue a life of crime, clinging to their outlaw identities.
Notable Members
The Seven Rivers Warriors comprised a diverse group of individuals, each with their own unique story and fate. Among the notable members of the gang were:
- Jose Chavez y Baca: Served as a Deputy. His fate after the Lincoln County War remains unknown.
- Henry M. "Hugh" Beckwith: The leader of the Seven Rivers Warriors, he continued his life of crime and was killed during a robbery in Presidio, Texas, in 1892.
- John M. Beckwith: A gunfighter who was killed by fellow Seven Rivers Warrior John Jones in 1879.
- Robert "Bob" M. Beckwith: Served as a Deputy and was killed by a Regulator in 1878.
- Andrew "Andy" Boyle: Died of unknown causes in Dona Ana County in either 1882 or 1887.
- Charlie "Lollycooler" Crawford: Killed by Regulator Fernando Herrera in 1878.
- Thomas Gaffney: His fate after the Lincoln County War is unknown.
- John Galvin: Possibly killed by the Regulators in 1878.
- Tom Green: Also possibly killed by the Regulators in 1878.
- John Hurley: Survived the Lincoln County War but was killed in 1886.
- William "Bill" H. Johnson: Killed by fellow Seven Rivers Warrior Hugh Beckwith in 1878.
- John A. Jones: Killed by fellow Seven Rivers Warrior Bob Olinger in 1879.
- Jim P. Jones: Died of cancer in 1930.
- William M. "Bill" Jones: Died of natural causes in 1952.
- "Dutch Charlie" Kruling: His fate after the Lincoln County War is unknown.
- Charles Marshall: Possibly killed by the Regulators in 1878.
- Joseph Nash: Died in an accident in Denver, Colorado, in 1901.
- John Wallace Olinger: Lived a quiet life after the war and died of broncho-pneumonia in 1940.
- Robert "Bob" Olinger: Killed by Billy the Kid during a jail escape in 1881.
- Jim Patterson: Killed by the Regulators in 1878.
- Sam R. Perry: Died in a wagon accident in 1901.
- Milo L. Pierce: Died of natural causes in 1919.
- Thomas B. "Buck" Powell: Died of natural causes in 1906.
- Jim Ramer: His fate after the Lincoln County War is unknown.
- James B. Reese: Killed by the Sanchez brothers in 1878.
- Bob Speakes: Became a member of Selman’s Scouts and later joined the Texas Rangers before disappearing.
- Marion F. Turner: Indicted for murder but later given amnesty and thought to have moved to California.
- Tom Walker: Killed in a saloon gunfight in 1879.
Legacy
The story of the Seven Rivers Warriors serves as a reminder of the complex and often contradictory nature of the American West. They were men driven by frustration and a desire for economic justice, but their actions often led to violence and further instability. The Seven Rivers Warriors’ legacy is one of rebellion, conflict, and ultimately, disintegration. Their story remains a compelling chapter in the history of New Mexico and the American West.