Pecos War

Background

In 1867, John Chisum and his brothers began driving cattle along what became known as the Chisum Trail. They later established a cow camp at Bosque Grand, and Chisum subsequently took claims across New Mexico. By 1872 he was a well-established cattleman in the territory, including in Roswell. One of his claims covered the wide grasslands along the Pecos River for his cattle business, and by 1875 his operation had grown to 80,000 head.

His claim put him in conflict with several smaller ranching families who had settled from Texas in the same year, as well as with the Apache at the nearby Mescalero Indian Reservation. Much of the frontier was public domain at the time, and land was free to whoever staked a claim first. Cattle herds roamed and grazed freely, identified by brands belonging to different ranches.

Chisum's Jinglebob Ranch overtook much of the better grazing land. He referred to his opponents as "little fellows" or simply "thieves," believing many were rustlers stealing from his herd. He recruited and armed cowboys and ranch hands, led by Jim Highsaw, to protect his property.

Many smaller ranch communities, especially those with alleged criminal histories, formed the Seven Rivers Warriors gang to defend against Chisum's aggression. Both the Seven Rivers Warriors and the Mescalero Indian Reservation, through Indian agent Frederick C. Godfrey, were allied with Chisum's rivals, the House and the Santa Fe Ring. In August 1876, Chisum allied with English cattleman John Tunstall and attorney Alexander McSween to establish the Lincoln County Bank, angering the House and described by some historians as a "declaration of war." Armed men from opposing parties began patrolling the open range, particularly watering holes. Several Chisum employees, including Tabb and Charles Rankin, were fired upon while working, allegedly by Chisum's enemies.

War

The Pecos War began in October 1876 at the Wiley Cow Camp, roughly 80 miles from John Chisum’s ranch. A Chisum employee named Yopp argued with two cowboys, including Buck Powell, a member of the Seven Rivers Warriors. Yopp fired a rifle, but Powell shot back with a revolver, striking Yopp in the mouth. Yopp fell, then raised his rifle and fired again.

Powell’s gun jammed, so he rushed Yopp, took his weapon, and killed him. On March 10, 1877, Chisum cowboy Jim Highsaw confronted suspected rustler Dick Smith at Loving’s Bend after gathering evidence of theft. Smith reached for his gun, but Highsaw shot first, killing him. Highsaw was acquitted on self-defense grounds and fled to Chisum’s South Spring Ranch.

Seven Rivers settlers arrived demanding his surrender but retreated after facing Chisum’s entrenched men, exchanging only insults. James Dolan, linked to the Santa Fe Ring, moved his camp to the southern edge of Chisum’s ranch after Chisum’s men recovered about three dozen cattle bearing his brand. In April 1877, Dolan and his men fired on Chisum’s cowboys.

That same month, Chisum led thirty armed men to the Beckwith clan’s home. They surrounded the house from 500 yards, cut off the water, and demanded surrender. The Beckwiths opened fire, while Charles Woltz and Buck Powell slipped out for help. After a night-long standoff, Chisum’s cowboys urged him to pull back, noting they were hired to herd cattle, not to fight.

Did You Know?

• In June 1877, Chisum was put on trial for unlawful assembly, riot, and larceny, but none of the charges successfully indicted him.
• The war ended in a stalemate.