Stockton Brothers and the Stockton Gang
The annals of the American West are replete with tales of daring outlaws, frontier justice, and the struggles for survival in a harsh and unforgiving landscape. Among these narratives, the story of the Stockton Brothers and the Stockton Gang stands out as a compelling example of the lawlessness that plagued the late 19th century Southwest. Isaac "Ike" Stockton and his brother, William Porter "Port" Stockton, were figures shrouded in both infamy and a certain degree of notoriety. Their exploits, marked by cattle rustling, saloon brawls, and deadly confrontations, contributed to the turbulent atmosphere of the era. This is their story, from their Texan roots to their violent ends in the unforgiving terrain of the American West.
Isaac "Ike" Stockton, born on February 9, 1852, in Texas, was destined for a life far removed from the quiet existence of a law-abiding citizen. Raised amidst the vast expanses of the Lone Star State, Ike developed a reputation as a cunning and charismatic individual. By 1874, Ike Stockton found himself drawn to the burgeoning town of Lincoln, New Mexico, a place already steeped in conflict and simmering tensions. It was here that he briefly ventured into the saloon business, attempting to establish himself as a legitimate entrepreneur. However, the lure of easy money and the allure of the outlaw life soon proved too strong to resist.
Later that year, Ike Stockton moved north to Colfax County, New Mexico, a region embroiled in the infamous Colfax County War of 1875-76. This brutal conflict, fueled by land disputes and political maneuvering, provided a fertile ground for opportunists and those willing to exploit the chaos for their own gain. Although the extent of Ike’s direct involvement in the Colfax County War remains somewhat unclear, it is widely believed that he played a role in the turmoil. The Stockton Brothers and the Stockton Gang were no strangers to the violence of the old west.
In 1876, Ike and his brother, Port, relocated to Trinidad, Colorado, seeking new opportunities and perhaps hoping to escape the lingering shadow of the Colfax County War. However, their stay in Trinidad was short-lived. In December of that year, Port Stockton became embroiled in a deadly altercation that resulted in the death of another man. Faced with the prospect of arrest and prosecution, the brothers fled westward, seeking refuge in the remote and sparsely populated areas of western Colorado.
The Stockton brothers settled in the Animas Valley around 1878. They attempted to conceal their past by posing as legitimate cattlemen. They integrated themselves into the local community. However, beneath this facade of respectability, Ike was actively assembling a gang of outlaws, known as the Stockton Gang. This group of desperados engaged in a variety of criminal activities, including cattle rustling, robbery, and other forms of lawlessness. The Animas Valley, with its vast open spaces and limited law enforcement presence, provided an ideal environment for their illicit operations.
The Stockton Gang’s activities soon brought them into conflict with the Simmons family, a prominent ranching family based in nearby Farmington, New Mexico. The Simmons accused the Stocktons of stealing their cattle and selling the beef to army posts, igniting a bitter feud that would come to be known as the San Juan County War. This conflict escalated into a series of shoot-outs, ambushes, and lynchings, further destabilizing the already volatile region. The Stockton Brothers and the Stockton Gang were now central figures in a full-blown range war, their names synonymous with violence and lawlessness.
The year 1881 marked a turning point in the saga of the Stockton Gang. On August 24, one of the gang members, Burt Wilkinson, killed Marshal Clate Ogsbury in Silverton, Colorado. The murder of a law enforcement officer sent shockwaves through the community, prompting authorities to offer a $2,500 reward for Wilkinson’s arrest. Fueled by anger and a desire for retribution, some of the residents of Silverton took matters into their own hands.
In a tragic case of mistaken identity and mob justice, a young African American man known as "Kid Thomas" or the "Copper Colored Kid" was wrongly accused of being involved in the murder. Despite his youth and questionable connection to the Stockton Gang, the 16-year-old boy was captured, jailed, and subsequently lynched by a mob of vigilantes on August 25. This horrific act of racial violence serves as a stark reminder of the deep-seated prejudices and injustices that permeated the American West.
In a shocking act of betrayal, Ike Stockton turned in his own gang member, Burt Wilkinson, to the authorities in a bid to claim the reward money. Wilkinson was arrested and subsequently lynched in Silverton on September 4, further cementing Ike Stockton’s reputation as a ruthless and opportunistic character. However, Ike’s attempt to ingratiate himself with the law proved to be short-lived.
Despite his cooperation in the capture of Burt Wilkinson, local law enforcement officials did not view Ike Stockton as a hero. They soon uncovered a New Mexico warrant for his arrest in connection with the murder of a man named Aaron Barker in 1881. When Silverton Deputy Sheriff Jim Sullivan attempted to arrest Ike, the outlaw resisted, leading to a violent confrontation. During the struggle, Deputy Sullivan shot Ike in the leg.
The wound proved to be fatal. Despite undergoing an amputation, Ike Stockton succumbed to his injuries and died on September 27, 1881. His death marked the end of an era for the Stockton Gang and brought a measure of closure to the communities that had been terrorized by their activities. It was said that Deputy Sullivan claimed to hate a traitor more than a murderer, highlighting the deep-seated animosity that Ike Stockton had engendered in the hearts of those who sought to uphold the law. The story of the Stockton Brothers and the Stockton Gang is not just about outlaws, but about the complex moral landscape of the American West.
William Porter "Port" Stockton, Ike’s older brother, was born and raised in Texas. Port’s life was also marked by violence and lawlessness. Allegedly, he killed his first man at the young age of 12. Before following his brother to New Mexico in 1874, where Ike ran a saloon in Lincoln, he briefly drifted to Dodge City, Kansas. In October 1876, Port shot and killed Juan Gonzales in Cimarron, New Mexico, but was released with a plea of self-defense.
After moving to Trinidad, Colorado, he killed another man in a saloon fight just two months later. Arrested, Ike helped him escape from jail. Amazingly, in 1979-80, he served as Marshal in Animas City, Colorado. In June 1879, he killed a man in Otero, New Mexico, but escaped once again. After getting into a dispute with a rancher in Farmington, New Mexico, named Alfred Graves, Port was shot by Graves on January 10, 1881. His fate, like his brother’s, was intertwined with violence and ultimately, death.
The Stockton Brothers and the Stockton Gang left a lasting mark on the history of the American West. Their story serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by law enforcement in a region characterized by vast distances, limited resources, and a culture of self-reliance. The saga of the Stockton Brothers is a testament to the enduring allure of the outlaw image and the complex legacy of the American frontier.