Wolcott’s Regulators of Wyoming

Wolcott's Regulators

Wolcott’s Regulators

One of the most feared bands of gunfighters and outlaws in Wyoming was Wolcott’s Regulators, who preyed on homesteaders in 1892, frequently leaving dead bodies in their wake.

Several years prior, conflict over land, livestock, and water rights had begun between several large cattle companies and the many homesteaders who had made their way to Wyoming to settle lands under the Homestead Act. This spawned the Johnson County War in 1889, in which the large cattle companies ruthlessly persecuted alleged cattle rustlers in the area. However, not all these people were cattle thieves. Many were just innocent settlers that competed with the large ranchers.

In the Spring of 1892, Frank Wolcott, a Wyoming Stock Growers Association member, hired some 50 gunmen, including several known Texas killers, intending to eliminate alleged rustlers in Johnson County and break up the homesteaders’ smaller stock association.

Frank Canton

Frank Canton

Frank Wolcott

Frank Wolcott

On April 5, 1892, a large party of cattlemen, five stock detectives, including Frank M. Canton, and 23 gunfighters, under the command of Major Frank Wolcott, set out from Cheyenne on their way to Buffalo. Beyond Casper, the force, called the “Regulators,” began cutting the telegraph lines along the way to prevent an alarm.

One act of violence perpetrated by the Texans occurred when they ambushed and killed nine trappers whom they mistook for rustlers in Big Dry Creek, Wyoming. They received a $450 bonus for the slaughter.

One of their most heinous crimes was the murders of Nathan Champion and Nick Rae on April 8, 1892. Though the victims barricaded themselves in a ranch house on the KC Ranch, Major Frank Wolcott led his men in a vicious attack on the pair, leaving both of them dead. Afterward, the killers pinned a note on Champion’s bullet-riddled chest that read, “Cattle Thieves Beware.” However, Champion was not a cattle rustler; rather, he was the man who had formed the rival Northern Wyoming Farmers and Stock Growers Association.

Nate Champion

William "Red" Angus

William “Red” Angus

A neighbor named Jack Flagg then rode to Buffalo, where he reported the siege. Sheriff William “Red” Angus then raised 200 men over the next 24 hours and set out for the KC Ranch on April 10.

In the meantime, the Regulators were riding toward Buffalo to continue their show of force. By early morning on April 11, they received the news that Angus and his force were headed towards them. The gunfighters took refuge at the TA Ranch on Crazy Woman Creek. When the sheriff’s posse reached the ranch, the Regulators holed up in a log barn, and a siege began that lasted for three days.

Fortunately for the Regulators, one of their members, Mike Shonsey, managed to slip from the barn and contact Governor Barber. On the night of April 12, 1892, the Governor telegraphed President Benjamin Harrison a plea for help, stating:

“About 61 owners of livestock are reported to have made an armed expedition into Johnson County to protect their livestock and prevent unlawful roundups by rustlers. They are at T.A. Ranch, 13 miles from Fort McKinney, besieged by Sheriff and posse and by rustlers from that section of the country, said to be 200-300 in number. The wagons of stockmen were captured and taken away from them, and it is reported a battle took place yesterday, during which a number of men were killed. Great excitement prevails. Both parties are very determined, and it is feared that if successful will show no mercy to the persons captured. The civil authorities are unable to prevent violence. The situation is serious and immediate assistance will probably prevent great loss of life.”

Barn at the TA Ranch

Barn at the TA Ranch

The Sixth Cavalry from Fort McKinney was ordered to immediately proceed to the TA Ranch and take the Wyoming Stock Growers Association expedition into custody. They arrived early on April 13 and negotiated with Sheriff Angus to lift the siege. The Cavalry then escorted Wolcott and 45 men, along with 45 rifles, 41 revolvers, and some 5,000 rounds of ammunition, first to Fort McKinney and then to Cheyenne.

The Texas gunfighters immediately disappeared after bail was made and were released. Court proceedings began for the locals, and a trial was set for January 1893. But as time dragged on, material witnesses disappeared, and finding impartial jurors proved next to impossible. Ultimately, the high trial cost led the court to dismiss the entire case.

Though the Johnson County War was over, scattered violence continued for over a decade as alleged rustlers continued to be hanged.

Regulators surrendering at the TA Ranch

Regulators surrendering at the TA Ranch

Kathy Alexander/Legends of America, updated March 2023. Credits & Resources.

Also See:

Frontier Outlaws

Old West Scoundrels

Outlaw Gangs

Vigilantes