Colfax County War

Background

The disputed territory originated as a Mexican land grant in 1841 to Charles H. Beaubien and Guadalupe Miranda, covering parts of what became Colfax County, New Mexico, and Las Animas County, Colorado. After the region was ceded to the United States, Lucien B. Maxwell arrived in 1849, married Beaubien's daughter, and became a part owner and manager.

He allowed pioneers to settle and ranch, Ute and Jicarilla Indians to hunt, and miners to lease claims. In 1870, Maxwell sold the grant to English financiers for $1.35 million, who formed the Maxwell Land Grant and Railway Company. The new owners considered many residents squatters, while the settlers—white, Spanish, and Native American—believed the land was public domain or had Maxwell's permission to live there.

War

The company hired gunmen to dislodge the settlers. On March 30, 1873, settlers agreed to arm themselves. Reverend Franklin J. Tolby, an ally of the settlers, was found murdered in Cimarron Canyon on September 14, 1875.

Blame fell on Cruz Vega, whose family had shifted sides after facing charges for killing three cavalry men and being implicated in another soldier's murder. In 1874, he shot assassin Chunk Colbert during dinner. Later that year, Allison led a mob that tortured and hanged Vega. Vega's uncle, Francisco Griego, swore revenge and confronted Allison in the St. James Hotel saloon on November 1.

Griego drew his pistol, but Allison shot him twice in the chest, killing him. The charge against Allison was dropped as self-defense. Company gang members then conducted night raids, destroying property and murdering settlers who resisted.