Ch 10

Overview of the Historical Context

  • Adobe Building as a Symbol

    • Represents more than a mere trading store.

    • Symbolizes political and economic dominance in the region.

Key Historical Figures

  • Murphy

    • Well-connected in Santa Fe, had influential alliances.

    • Partnered with Jimmy Dolan, known for unscrupulous business practices.

    • Controlled major government contracts for supplies during the Indian Wars.

  • Thomas Catcher

    • A powerful man in New Mexico, leader of the Santa Fe ring.

  • John Tunstall

    • British national, wealthy background, owned 30,000 acres in southeastern New Mexico, equating to the size of South Carolina.

  • Alexander McSween

    • Lawyer from Kansas City.

    • Initially the only lawyer in Lincoln County.

The Economic Landscape

  • Government Contracts in the West

    • U.S. established forts and troops for the Indian Wars, creating competition for supplies.

    • Winning government contracts meant significant financial gain.

  • Business Operations and Controversies

    • Murphy secured contracts for

    • Fort Stanton

    • Mescalero Reservation

    • John Chisholm and the Chisholm Trail

    • A significant cattle trail during this time.

    • Chisholm sold cattle to Murphy, enhancing Murphy's monopoly.

Monopoly Explained

  • Definition of a monopoly:

    • Control of an entire market or an industry.

  • Threshold for monopoly power:

    • Controlling over 25% of the market qualifies as a monopoly.

    • Example: John D. Rockefeller's Standard Oil controlled 98% of the oil industry.

The Competitive Tension

  • Tunstall's Strategies

    • Opened a store across from Murphy's in Lincoln to compete.

    • Offered lower prices and easy credit to attract customers.

    • Credit: The ability to purchase goods without immediate payment, implying a trust that the buyer will pay later (credit rating influences loan terms).

    • Growth of Tunstall’s store threatened Murphy’s economic influence.

Armed Conflicts and Violence

  • Hired Guns

    • Both Tunstall and Murphy employed armed men for protection and enforcement.

    • Tunstall's hired guns referred to as Regulators, included notable figures like Jesse Evans.

  • Events Leading to Violence

    • Tunstall was murdered in 1878, with Sheriff Brady implicated as a Murphy ally.

    • McSween retaliated, resulting in the assassination of Sheriff Brady.

The Lincoln County War

  • Major Conflicts

    • Erupted following Tunstall's murder, leading McSween to recruit 60 men to confront the new sheriff, Peppen.

    • On July 4, 1878, the Five Day Battle of Lincoln commenced.

    • Violence continued despite federal attempts to restore order.

    • McSween, Tunstall, and Dolan suffered significant losses.

  • Post-war Developments

    • New sheriff Pat Garrett sought to capture outlaws following the conflict.

    • Billy the Kid was tried and found guilty of Sheriff Brady's murder, sentenced to hang.

    • Managed to escape but was later killed by Garrett on July 14, 1881.

Broader Implications and National Attention

  • Impact of the Lincoln County War on public perception:

    • Garnered national attention, portraying New Mexico as chaotic and violent.

    • 1878 statistics: 30 fatalities in Lincoln County, with 29 being homicides.

  • Billy the Kid's Legacy

    • Born Henry McCarty in NYC, infamous figure largely romanticized in American folklore.

    • Contrary to the assertion of having killed 21 people, historians speculate the true number is approximately 6.

Conclusion

  • The events surrounding the Lincoln County War shaped both local history and American perceptions of the Wild West, contributing significantly to the legends surrounding figures like Billy the Kid and the chaotic reputation of New Mexico during this era.