Lincoln, New Mexico - The Wild Wild West Frozen in Time

NEW MEXICO LEGENDS

Lincoln - Wild Wild West Frozen in Time

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A walk down Lincoln, New Mexico's Main Street is a step back into the Wild Wild West. It was here that such men as Billy the Kid and Pat Garrett left their marks; here, that Indians, Mexican American settlers, gunfighters and corrupt politicians made themselves known; it was in this small settlement that the violent Lincoln County War erupted, which resulted in the deaths of a number of men and made Billy the Kid a legend.

And today, it is here, that the modern tourist can still taste the flavor of those earlier times in century old adobe buildings, hear the tales from the voices of old-timers, and walk those very same dusty streets that were made infamous in the late 1800's.

Lincoln, New Mexico, February, 2008, Kathy Weiser.

The area that would become Lincoln was roamed only by Native Americans until Spanish Pioneers began to settle the lush green valley of the Rio Bonito around 1849, first calling their new “city” Las Placitas del Rio Bonito, meaning "the village by the pretty river." However, when Lincoln County was formed in 1869, and the fledgling settlement became the new County Seat, the town’s name was changed to Lincoln.

Before long the county and the town were populated by a number of cattle barons and cowboys, in addition to the Spanish settlers. In the early 1870's two men, by the names of Lawrence Murphy and James Dolan owned the only store in Lincoln County, the largest county in the nation, covering 1/5 of New Mexico territory. The pair not only owned Murphy & Dolan Mercantile and Banking, they also owned large cattle ranches, and having influential territorial ties to officials in Santa Fe, the merchants were able to obtain several lucrative contracts with the military at Fort Stanton.

Before long, the two men monopolized the trade of the county, controlling pricing, making immense profits on their goods, and virtually having a hand in nearly every part of the economy of the large county. The merchants, along with their allies, who included local law enforcement, were familiarly known as “The House.”

For obvious reasons, Murphy and his allies were disliked by the small farmers in Lincoln County, as they were forced to pay high costs for their goods, while at the same time, accepting low prices for their cattle.

When a rival store was set up in 1876 by Alexander McSween and John Tunstall called H.H. Tunstall & Company near the one owned by Dolan and Murphy, it soon spawned what became known as the Lincoln County War. The feud between the two factions for political and economic control of the area would last for the next two years, fought sometimes in courtrooms, but more often through cattle rustling, gunfights, and murder. The feud came to a head when John Tunstall was murdered on February 18, 1878. Battling on the side of Tunstall and Company, referred to as the “Regulators,” was none other than Billy the Kid, who had been employed by Tunstall as a ranch-hand.

The Murphy & Dolan Mercantile would later become the Lincoln County Courthouse. Photo around 1930.

The old Lincoln County Courthouse now serves as a museum, February, 2008, Kathy Weiser.

This image available for photographic prints and

downloads HERE!

The feud became an all-out “war” as Tunstall's employees swore to avenge their boss’s murder, and began to retaliate against the “House.” The Lincoln County War came to a climax in July 1878 in a five-day battle when the Regulators holed up in McSween's house and the Ellis Store. Soon, they were besieged by the Dolan faction in a battle that wouldn’t end until the arrival of U.S. Troops. When the smoke had cleared, five Regulators, including Alexander McSween, had been killed and several wounded. Of the Dolan faction, one man was killed and several wounded. The “House” declared a victory as the Regulators fled the area. The famous battle made Billy the Kid not only a house-hold name, but also a fugitive.

President Rutherford B. Hayes called Lincoln’s main street “the most dangerous street in America” and in September, 1878, he removed New Mexico's corrupt Governor Axtell from office and appointed Lew Wallace as the new governor. The United States attorney, the sheriff and the local military commander were also replaced. At first, Governor Wallace felt that conditions in Lincoln County might call for martial law. The President, however, advised lawbreakers to return to peace. On November 13, 1878, Governor Wallace proclaimed an amnesty for all those involved in the Lincoln County War if they were not already under indictment. This proclamation; however, did not include Billy the Kid.

Continued Next Page

The Tunstall Store now serves as a post office and a museum, Kathy Weiser, February, 2008.

This image available for photographic prints and

downloads HERE!

Today, the Ellis Store in Lincoln, New Mexico is the Ellis Store Country Inn, Kathy Weiser, February, 2008.

This image available for photographic prints and downloads HERE!

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