The Lynching of “Big Steve” Long
The windswept plains of Wyoming in the late 1860s were a crucible of ambition, opportunity, and often, brutal justice. The transcontinental railroad was forging its way across the landscape, drawing prospectors, entrepreneurs, and those seeking a new life westward. Among these individuals was a man known as “Big Steve” Long, whose life and death became a stark illustration of the lawlessness and vigilante justice that characterized the era. The story of The Lynching of “Big Steve” Long is a grim tale of violence, corruption, and the swift, unforgiving response of a community pushed to its breaking point.
The historical record paints a shadowy picture of Long’s early life. Some accounts suggest he fought for the Confederacy during the Civil War, while others simply identify him as a hardened gunfighter. Regardless of his past, Long arrived in Laramie City, Wyoming, in 1866, a burgeoning town fueled by the railroad and the promise of riches. It was here that he partnered with his half-brothers, Ace and Con Moyer, to establish a saloon, a common venture in the Wild West, but one that would soon become synonymous with fear and bloodshed.
The Moyer brothers, seizing the opportunity presented by the town’s nascent legal system, appointed themselves as justice of the peace and marshal, respectively. Long was then made the deputy marshal in 1867, thus completing a triumvirate that held considerable power over Laramie City. This concentration of authority, however, proved to be a recipe for disaster. The narrative of The Lynching of “Big Steve” Long is in a broader context that encompasses the challenges of establishing law and order in rapidly growing frontier towns.
"Big Steve" Long quickly cultivated a reputation as an enforcer of the Moyers’ brand of "justice." Accounts describe him as an extremely violent lawman, implicated in numerous gunfights within a short period. Within two months, Long was allegedly responsible for the deaths of eight men. While some may have been legitimate confrontations, many suspected that Long was acting as a hired gun for the Moyer brothers, eliminating anyone who threatened their growing control over the town. These gunfights, whether justified or not, contributed to an atmosphere of fear and intimidation that permeated Laramie City.
The Moyer-Long trio established a system of extortion and intimidation, using their positions of power to enrich themselves at the expense of the town’s residents. The saloon’s back room became a makeshift courtroom where ranchers were coerced into signing over deeds to their land, and miners were forced to relinquish their valuable claims. Those who resisted were often met with deadly force. Long, acting as the executioner, would allegedly provoke a confrontation, claiming the victim had reached for a weapon before shooting them dead. This abuse of power fostered deep resentment among the townspeople. The events that lead to The Lynching of “Big Steve” Long underscore the corruption that could fester when legal systems were weak or non-existent.
Beyond the forced land transfers and mining claim seizures, Long and the Moyers were also accused of rigging card games at their saloon. Patrons who dared to protest the dishonest practices often met with violence, further solidifying the saloon’s sinister reputation. By October 1868, the death toll attributed to Long had reached thirteen, with another seven deaths under suspicious circumstances. The saloon, once a symbol of frontier entertainment, was now widely known as "The Bucket of Blood," a testament to the violence that had become its defining characteristic. The nickname, "Bucket of Blood" provides a vivid image of the violence associated with the saloon owned and operated by Long and the Moyer brothers, ultimately culminating in The Lynching of “Big Steve” Long.
As the violence escalated, a local rancher named N.K. Broswell began to rally opposition to the Moyer-Long regime. Broswell, witnessing the injustice and suffering inflicted upon the community, started to discuss forming a vigilante group to restore order. He recognized that the official channels of justice were compromised and that the townspeople needed to take matters into their own hands. Broswell’s efforts reflect the frustration and desperation that often led to the formation of vigilante groups in the Old West. The lynching of Long serves as a reminder of the consequences when communities felt abandoned by law enforcement.
The event that ultimately triggered The Lynching of “Big Steve” Long occurred on October 18, 1868. Long, in addition to his role as a corrupt lawman, was also in the habit of engaging in theft. On this particular night, he attempted to ambush and rob a prospector named Rollie "Hard Luck" Harrison. A gunfight ensued, resulting in Harrison’s death and Long sustaining a wound. Despite his injury, Long managed to return to his residence.
While Long’s fiancée tended to his wound, he confessed to the attempted robbery and murder of Harrison. Outraged by his actions, she betrayed him by informing N.K. Broswell of his crime. This act of betrayal proved to be the catalyst for the vigilante action that would soon follow. Broswell, seizing the opportunity, gathered a group of like-minded citizens, determined to bring Long and the Moyer brothers to justice.
On October 28, 1868, Broswell and his vigilante group stormed into "The Bucket of Blood" saloon, seizing Long and the Moyer brothers. Without trial or due process, they dragged the trio to a partially constructed cabin on the outskirts of town. There, they prepared to hang them from the rafters, a grim symbol of frontier justice.
As the vigilantes prepared to carry out the sentence, Long made a final request. He asked that they remove his boots before he was hanged. His last words, according to historical accounts, were, "My mother always said that I would die with my shoes on." This seemingly trivial request reveals a glimpse into Long’s character, perhaps a superstitious belief or a final act of defiance. Regardless of the motivation, Long was hanged with his bare feet dangling, a gruesome end to a violent life. The dramatic story of The Lynching of “Big Steve” Long ends with a chilling reminder of the harsh realities of frontier justice.
The lynching of Long and the Moyer brothers marked a turning point in Laramie City. While vigilante justice is inherently problematic and often leads to further violence, it did, in this instance, rid the town of a corrupt and oppressive regime. However, it also highlights the dangers of circumventing the legal system and the potential for abuse when individuals take the law into their own hands. The legacy of The Lynching of “Big Steve” Long continues to spark debate about the nature of justice in the Old West and the moral complexities of vigilante action.
The story serves as a cautionary tale about the abuse of power, the importance of a fair and impartial legal system, and the consequences of unchecked violence. While the events surrounding Long’s life and death are rooted in the specific context of the American West, the themes they explore – corruption, justice, and the limits of law – remain relevant to this day. The narrative surrounding The Lynching of “Big Steve” Long is an unforgettable episode in the history of the Wild West.