The public is invited to participate in a filming reenactment of the most important historical event to ever take place at the Colfax County Courthouse in Springer, New Mexico on March 15 and 16, 1885.
Now the Springer Museum
A New Mexico Magazine writer will be at the Springer Museum on Sunday, March 15, 2015 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM to film the event that basically ended the 10-year Colfax County War. Members of the general public may take part in the filming reenactment if they come in period clothing (1880s) and have a willingness to learn about Colfax County history while respecting others and the Springer Museum. The event will also require the use of horses in the filming as well as cowboys, women and children. Many participants will bring antique arms as props only, and organizers are seeking cap arms for the reenactment.
Participants will meet at the west main entrance of the Springer Museum. Filming will also take place from the interior of the courtroom and jail.
On Saturday, March 14th from 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM, organizers will present historical slide shows of the Victor Grant Photograph Collection. During the presentation Sharon Niederman, a writer from Raton, and Tim Hagaman will share an overview of this complex event that occurred in Springer during 1885.
The public is encouraged to attend both of these events to further promote the heritage of Colfax County and its adventure tourism. For more information contact Tim Hagaman: timhagaman@msn.com
Photo at the Philmont Museum
Springer was the county seat of Colfax County from 1882–1897 and was part of the Lucien B. Maxwell land grant. It is near the Cimarron Cutoff of the Santa Fe Trail. The range war began when Maxwell sold his land grant to a group of investors.
~See more historical information about Springer at www.historicspringer.com.
2013- 2014 timhagaman@msn.com PO Box 292 Springer, NM 87747
New Mexico Historical Society; Robert Torrez, Program Chair Subject: Proposal for Paper and Presentation to NM Historical Society Las Vegas, New Mexico May 2014. Paper will be presented to True West Magazine for publication with Bob Bose Bell illustrations in gun fighter series..
Title: Springer Colfax County Courthouse March 16, 1885 killing of Dick Rogers, Tom Whealington, and John Curry
Synopsis The Maxwell Land Grant known as Lucien Maxwell’s Ranch, was the largest privately held land in North America, where Colfax County War led by cowboy vigilantes, mining land squatters and the Santa Fe Ring between the years of 1875 and 1885. Governor Lionel Sheldon authorized a company of National Guards announced by Raton Comet Publisher OP McMains. James H Masterson became Captain Company H Territory Militia. Governor Sheldon rescinded order and Jim Masterson surrendered to George Curry from Lincoln County with militia prisoners in line to Colorado never to return led by new leader Dick Rogers elected as Vigilante Captain. On March 15m 1885 John Dodds and Sam Littrell Cow Creek Ranch Cowboys leave for Springer for a load of corn. John Dodds was arrested in Springer for disturbing the peace pleaded guilty and paid fine. Jesse Lee Deputy Sheriff and Constable Carter tried to arrest him leaving town and was arrested eventually by Jesse Lee later in the day. Dick Rogers was telegraphed to Springer from Raton and was met with gun fire by Jesse Lee, Deputy Whealington and Hixenbaugh at the Springer County Courthouse where Dodds was held in Jail. March 16th Dick Rogers, Tom Whealington, and John Curry were killed in front of the Courthouse Steps District Attorney Melvin W Mills rides a buckboard to Wagon Mound Depot to alert Santa Fe where Acting Governor Losch dispatched Fort Union US 10th Infantry a Train with 22 troops to Springer. George Curry was held in Springer Courthouse for six weeks before pleading guilty of unlawful carrying of firearms and paid a five dollar fine due to prosecuting attorney TB Catron dismissed motion of 15 crimes. Jesse Lee later was killed returning to Indian Territory and Deputy Kimberly was killed holding up a store in Arizona, both whom killed Rogers, Whealington, and Curry in Springer in the heart of North Eastern New Mexico Territory at the joining of the Cimarron and Canadian Rivers.
Biographical Summary TT Hagaman, A Graduate of Western Illinois and OU EDI owns the 1877 Melvin Mills Mansion and 1879 Springer House Hotel in Springer New Mexico. He has lived on every great Drover Cattle Trail in the Southwest since 1982. Like Maxwell, Goodnight, McCoy, and Earp Tim is from Illinois. An Eagle Scout, Tim was raised in Peoria, Illinois before returning to be closer to Phimont Scout Ranch with in the original Maxwell Land Grant. A twenty two year career with Motorola and GE working with Tribes led him to own the Wortley Hotel in Lincoln NM from 1998 to 2008 and joined The State of New Mexico Economic Development Department in 2005. A Public Historian; is a member of the Wild West History Association and an original True West Maniac since 2000. He has presented to NMHA Conference in 2005 and authored WWHA journal article in 2012. Developed story line for his Southwestern Americana Collection exhibited at the Pueblo of Acoma SkyCity Museum through May of 2014. His specialty is Drovers that became outlaws and lawmen in rare range books and maps. He is focused on writing and speaking about the comparisons of Lincoln County and Colfax County War History as it relates to the birth of the Southwest Cowboy Drover trailing cattle and sheep to the Abilene, Dodge City and Springer Railheads while becoming Outlaws and Lawmen in the Saloons.
Colfax County War Chronological Events
1841, January 8, Charles Beaubien and Guadalupe Miranda petitioned Manuel Armijo, civil and military governor of New Mexico for a grant of land “for the purpose of improving it, without injury to any third party and raising sugar beets, which we believe will grow well and produce an abundant crop, and in time to establish manufactories of cotton and wool, and raising stock of every description”.
1841, September 2, Clay Allison was born in Wayne County Tennessee where he fought in the Civil War under Nathan Bedford Forrest. He then worked for Texas Panhandle Cattlemen Louis G Coleman and Irvin Lacy. Allison Brothers establish their own ranch at the Red and Vermejo Rivers. Fredrick Nolan, Deep Trails in the Old West by Frank Clifford ,2011, Pg 262-263
1844 Lucien B Maxwell Born in Kaskaskia Illinois September 14, 1818 marries Luz Beaubien at Taos.
1847 Tourist Louis H Garrard observes a cattle operation of Bent, St Vrain and Company near Cimarron. Maxwell started in Rayado which was a military post from 1847-1850 with in the land Grant. WA Kelleher, Maxwell land Grant, 1942, Page 29
1859, September 15, Edmund G Ross and three men meet in Atkinson, Kansas for an organizational meeting in what would later be known as the Atkinson Topeka Santa Fe Railroad. Richard A Ruddy, Edmund G. Ross, 2013, Pg 48
1861 Colorado was given 265,000 within the Maxwell Land Grant of New Mexico by Act of Congress. William A Keleher, Maxwell Land Grant, 1942, Page 21.
1862, Jim and Cole Younger saved their former Teacher, Stephen Benton Elkins, a Missouri Union Spy, from being shot by the Quantrell band of guerillas. Elkins Elected to New Mexico Legislature in 1866. WA Keleher, Maxwell Land Grant, 1942, Page 147
1862 March 10, Twelve hundred acres were leased for an annual rental of twenty dollars for the Utes and Jicarilla Apache. This twenty five year lease between Maxwell and Indian Agent Arny was established in Cimarron.
1864 Maxwell completes the Grist Mill which becomes the site of his daughter Virginia’s marriage to the Indian Agent of the Cimarron Agency. March 30, 1870 on the 3rd floor. WA Keleher, Maxwell Land Grant, 1942, Page 31
1864, November 29, Col Kit Carson makes a statement againste the relocation of the Jicarillas and Utes to the Bosque of Fort Sumner.
1866, Charles Goodnight drove cattle from Fort Belkap Texas along the front range of New Mexico with stops in Las Vegas and Cimarron through Raton Pass on into Pueblo Colorado. Stephen Zimmer, It happened in the Cimarron Country. 2013, Page 109.
1867 Gold is discovered near Elizabethtown and MW Mills Attorney drafts first incorporated town in New Mexico Territory
1867 Manley Chase moves to the Maxwell Land Grant and settled on the Vermejo River
1868, May 26, Senator Edmund G Ross from Kansas votes no to the impeachment of Andrew Johnson, Richard A Ruddy, Edmund G. ross, 2013 pg 137
1869 Manley Chase trades a herd of range horses to Maxwell for 1,000 acres on the Ponil River. He starts building a house in 1871.
1869 Texan John B Dawson whom drove cattle with Goodnight purchases 3600 acres on the Vermejo from Maxwell
1869 Jan 14 Thomas B. Catron confirmed as Attorney General for Territory of New Mexico
1869 January 25 Elizabethtown becomes the first seat of the newly formed Colfax County named after US Vice President Schuyler Colfax.
1869 March 8, By act of Congress the surveyor general William W Griffin of Santa Fe ordered a survey of the Maxwell Grant. David L Caffey, Frank Springer and New Mexico, 2006, Page 68
1869, December 31, Jacob Cox Secretary of the Interior whom did not realize how large the Beaubien and Miranda claim which could not legally exceed the common limit of eleven square leagues for each claimant. David L Caffey, Frank Springer and New Mexico, 2006, Page 68
1870, February 3, MW Mills whom drafted the first incorporated town ordinance in New Mexico at Elizabethtown is approved. Delbert Littrell Hughes, Give me Room, 1971 Page 51
1870 “Maxwell, in 1870 was having trouble with his Indian friends at Cimarron. It was reported: “Utes restless because of recent sale of the Maxwell estate, they claiming it as their property. The truth of the matter is this, that Mr. Maxwell has sold out and intends leaving the country and as he has so long acted as sort of a foster father to them they dislike the idea of losing him. For several years past they have been receiving their rations issued every ten days at Cimarron, and also have been procuring liquor from some sources. This with the change of proprietorship and loss of their hunting grounds has rendered them very troublesome and impudent, going so far on one occasion as to threaten Maxwell’s life and breaking the windows of his storerooms” This is happended, on the very day that Maxwell had elected himself President of the First National Bank of Santa Fe, he was compelled in self defense to shoot one of his Indian friends. Said the report. “ Party of drunken Apaches attempted to break into Maxwell’s gun from under a buffalo robe. The gun went off and killed the Indian”. Paul A. F Walter, Banking in New Mexico before the Railroad Came!, May 1955 Pg 13
1870 May 2 Lucian Maxwell sells his land holdings to investors backed by financing in England to the Maxwell Land Grant and Railroad Company. “Maxwell sells his ranch due to the issues with his Indian Friends” Tim Hagaman. The Daily New Mexico prints that “ Thee stockholders of the’ National Bank Of New Mexico’ have organized with the following selection of officers: J. I Johnson, Manel A Otero, Thomas B Catron, SB Elkins, and Jose L Perea. “Cashier Holly recognized that Maxwell’s bank would have a difficult time to survive. He urged Maxwell to sell out to Elkins, Catron, et al. For a time Maxwell stubbornly refused but finally agreed. He had had bitter experience with his investment of $200,000 made in 2,000 shares of Texas and Pacific Railway Company then building to Fort Worth. , Texas, the stock being issued to Maxwell and Holly.
1870, September 3, First National Bank of Santa Fe was organized under control of Lucien Maxwell with $150,000 in cash with five stockholders whom met in Cimarron at the Maxwell home.. Shortly after he sells his shares to Ring men Stephen Benton Elkins and Thomas Benton Catron. Delbert Littrell Hughes, Give me Room, 1971. Page 52
1870 October 7, Clay Allison and Mob hang Charles Kennedy n Elizabethtown represented by MW Mills
1870 October 27, “Rioting Elizabethtown miners set fire to the homes of their foes troops had to be sent in to restore peace. The following April an armed mob took possession of the Maxweell Compnay’s property, this time the governor of New Mexico hurried to the scene to restore order. The miners agreed to stand down tbut made it clear that they would not quit their claims until the company pressed its title was valid. More violence lay ahead. “ Frederick Nolan, Depp Trails in the Old West A frontier Memoir by Frank Clifford, 2011, Pg 263
1870 December 13, First National Bank of Santa Fe Charter, No 1750 was issued by the Comptroller of the Currency H. R. Hulburd. as the only bank in New Mexico Territory. Paul A. F Walter, Banking in New Mexico before the Railroad came, May 1955 Pg 18
1871, April 18, Elkings and his law partner, Thomas B. Catron open First National Bank with Maxwell as the absentee President, and Charles F. Holly, the Cashier
1873 Frank Springer moves to Springer to become legal counsel for Maxwell Land Grant and buys 18,000 acres of range land along the Cimarron River. Charles Springer joins him in 18778 and expand and form the Charles Springer Cattle Company. Herefords are brought in branded as CS Ranch in 1881. Stephen Zimmer, Happended in the Cimarron Country, 2013, Page 110-111.
1873 April 5, A “Squatters Club” was organized in Cimarron and the first meeting was publicly advertised in Cimarron. WA Keleher, Maxwell Land Grant, 1942, Page 84.
1874 January 19, Clay Allison kills Charles Cooper Tim Hagaman
1875 Manley Chase and John Dawson started their first sheep ranch on Crow Creek Tim Hagaman
1875 April 12 New Mexico Legislature MW Mills purchases cigars and drinks at Fred Lamberts St James Hotel per accounting book, Tim Hagaman
1875 May 30, Francisco Pancho Griego kills two bystanders in the gaming room of the St James Hotel over soldiers Patrick Gaitly and Benjamin Sheahan taking the winnings. Jim Peters Riders from the Grants
1875 Clay Allison kills Francisco Pancho Griego with two bullets in the St James Saloon where he kicked everyone out of the Saloon and did not release his body until the next day without being tried. WA Keleher, Maxwell Land Grant, 1942, Page 79
1875 July 25, Lucien Maxwell dies at his old Fort Sumner Home. Son Pete Maxwell takes over ranch. It was said Lucien Maxwell that no man in want, Indian, Mexican, Spanish or American , had ever crossed his threshold without being the recipient of his bounty. WA Keleher, Maxwell Land Grant, 1942, Page 38
1875 July 30 Former Utah Governor Samuel B Axtell inaugurated as Governor of New Mexico Territory
1875 September 14, Methodist Minister Rev TJ Tolby murdered in Cimarron Canyon
1875 November 10, Cardenas gives an affidavit stating MW Mill’s involvement in Rev Tolby’s murder. As he leaves Cimarron Court he is killed. Newly elected New Mexico Legislator MW Mills while in Trinidad returns to Cimarron raised a Quaker, is given lynch law court by the Mob but is persuaded once Fort Union arrived. Twitchell
1875 October 1, Cruz Vegas was found hanged to a telephone pole about 3/4 North of the Ponil River and a mile and a half north of Cimarron. WA Keleher, Maxwell Land Grant, 1942, Page 76
1876 January 14, Santa Fe Ring and the New Mexico Legislature attach Taos County to Colfax County Court District. This allows an agent for the Ring to represent cases that would have been held in Cimarron. David Caffey, Frank Springer and New Mexico, 2006, Page 37
1878 April 1, Clay Allison appears in Taos Court to answer charges from the Vega Lynching but Rev OP McMains charged with the murder of Vega was dismissed at Taos by Judge Samuel Parks. WA Keleher, Maxwell Land Grant, 1942, page 76-77
1876 April 22 Governor Axtell visits Lincoln and stays at the LG Murphy Store and receives a $1800 loan from John Riley.
1876 May 21, Clay Allison shot and killed Pancho Griego in Cimarron; WA Keleher, Maxwell Land Grant, 1942, Page 69.
1876, May, Rev OP McMains and fourteen others were indicted for the death of Cruz Vegas at a Taos Grand Jury Court. David L Caffey, Frank Springer and New Mexico, 2006, Page 41
1876, August 22-23, Judge Henry Waldo of Mora County District Court found OP McMains guilty “ in the fifth degree” and fined him $300 for the murder of Cruz Vega. David L Caffey, Frank Springer and New Mexico, 2006, Page 40-41
1876, September 30, The Cimarron Agency was discontinued and removed the Utes and Jicarilla to their present homes in Colorado and Northwest New Mexico. Arkansas Senator SW Dorsey complained about the Cimarron Agency and later moved to Chico Springs. WA Keleher, Maxwell Land Grant, 1942, p 60-61.
1876 October, David Crockett was shot to death in a confrontation with the sheriff. David L Caffey, Frank Springer and New Mexico, 2006, Page 41
1877 April, Clay Allison made his court appearance in Taos from the previous year on the Cruz Vega murder and assault charges. MW Mills the ring man that Clay helped elect in 1875 defended Clay. In exchange for no trial and dropping charges Clay was fined $100 along with court costs. Brother John Allison and other charged were dropped.
1876 December 23, After District Court had rendered judgement on taxes not paid. Sheriff I. Rhinehart auctioned the Maxwell Land Grant at the Cimarron Courthouse to MW Mills for $16,476.46. Delbert Littrell Hughes, Give me Room, 1971, Page 102
1876 December 30, Clay and John Allison traveled from Cimarron to Las Animas, Colorado for a dance at the Olympic Dance Hall. Town Marshall Charles Feber and asked the Allison’s to surrender their guns for the evening in which they refused. The Marshall returned with a shotgun and shot John Allison whom survived while the Clay killed the Marshall where the shotgun hit John again as he fell to the ground.
1877 March 31, The Grand Jury refused to indict Clay Allison for Las Animas Town Marshall Charles Feber and he returned to his Otero Ranch. WA Keleher, Maxwell Land Grant, 1942, Page 81.
1877, Summer, Axtell visited Colfax County with Arkansas Senator Stephen W Dorsey promoting land ownership in the eastern end of the county and “cut loose from the Cimarron Crowd”. David L Caffey, Frank Springer and New Mexico, 2006, Page 42.
1877 July 19, M.W. Mills conveys title to Thomas B Catron New Mexico Territory Attorney General, for $20,000 before selling aback through redemption law to the Amsterdam Committee of bondholders for $20,961.46l basically a penny an acre. General Land Office declared as private lands reversing 1869 Secretary of Interior decision. The Commissioners instructed the Surveyor General of New Mexico on January 28, 1874 that the estate should be treated as public lands where such settlers had moved onto the property. Delbert Littrell Hughes, Give me Room, 1971, Page 102
1877, August 22-23 Judge Henry Waldo presided over Mora County District Court where Rev OP McMains was found guilty “in the fifth degree” and fined $300. David L Caffey, Frank Springer and New Mexico, 2006, Page 40-41
1878, January, The New Mexico Legislature passed both houses on unanimous votes that district court would return to Colfax County. David L Caffey, Frank Springer and New Mexico, 2006, Page 43
1878, John Henry Tunstall a merchant in Lincoln wrote an article in the Mesilla Independent where he accused Lincoln County Sheriff William Brady of manipulating country tax collections for use in their business. Delbert Littrell Hughes, Give me Room. 1971, Page 79
1878 February 11 Lincoln County Sheriff Brady attaches Tunstall Store and cattle for McSween’s bond money dispute on Fritz Insurance money collected in St Louis.
1878 February 18, Englishman John Henry Tunstall, whom was against the Ring in Lincoln County, is killed including his horse by an armed posse sent by Sheriff Brady with a warrant to seize cattle. Delbert Littrell Hughes, Give me Room. 1971, Page 79
1878 May Federal investigator, Frank Warner Angel completed report containing affidavit from many Lincoln and Colfax participants. Angel referred to Axtell as “ a complete tool in the hands of designing men” and summarized, “It is seldom that history states more corruption, fraud, mismanagement, plots, and murders than New Mexico has been the theatre under the administration of Governor Axtell (sic).” Norman Cleveland, Colfax County Chronic Murder Mystery Pg 6, Rydal Press.1977
1878 Governor Axtell removes Sheriff Brady’s replacement Copeland and appoints George Peppin In a Governors Proclamation “The Sheriff has authority to call up on US Troops for assistance, not act as a Sheriff’s posse”. All Good Citizens of Lincoln which probably included Dick Rogers that “violence begets violence, and that they who take the sword shall perish by the sword” Lew Wallace supersedes him.
1878 December 7, First ATSF railroad car enters the Maxwell Land Grant and Colfax County.
1879, February 18, One armed Lawyer Huston Chapman is assassinated in Lincoln. Jesse Evans, JB Matthews, William Campbell and JJ Dolan were confined at Fort Stanton. Violence in NM Keleher 1952
1879, March 17, Governor Lew Wallace meets with William H Bonney in Lincoln. According to George Curry, The Kid knew tha this friend Jessee Evans had killed Chapman and refused to testify against him. Delbert Littrell Hughes, Give Me Room, 1971, page 90
1879 May 19, United States of America grants a patent to the grant was issued in the name of Beaubien and Miranda, grantees of the government of Mexico legally giving title to Maxwell Land Grant Company. WA Keleher, Maxwell Land Grant, Page 44.
1879, ATSF Depot and Springer House is established with the arrival of the ATSF Railroad on the banks of the Cimarron River. Springer Tascosa Trail freights merchandise and livestock from railhead to Tascosa. Springer overtakes Dodge City Cowtown as the closest railhead to West Texas with 191 Miles to Tascosa. Steve Russell Uncle Charlie Beenham Woman Power and the Springer Tascosa Trail 1985
1880 December 13 Governor Lew Wallace writes from the Executive Office a proclamation offer of $500 for the capture and delivery of William Bonney to the Sheriff of Lincoln County.
1880 December 15 Thomas B Catron while in Lincoln sells LG Murphy Store to the County to use as jail.
1880 December 19 Tom O’folliard killed by a posse outside of Fort Sumner after hands up command.
1880 December 23, Sherriff Garrett and Jim East kill Charlie Bowdre arrest William Bonney at Stinking Springs and confine him at the Las Vegas Jail with Dave Rudabaugh whom had recently killed a Las Vegas Jailer. They are given their first ride on a train to Santa Fe.
1881 April 13 Judge Warren Bristol sentenced Billy the Kid whom was found guilty of Sheriff Brady’s murder. Bristol said from his chair on May 13 “The said William Bonney, alias Kid, alias William Antrim be hanged by the neck until this body be dead”.
1881 April 15, William Bonney wrote from his jail cell in Mesilla to Attorney Caypless, in Santa Fe. “Was convicted of murder in the first degree and am to be hanged on the 13th day of May. Mr A. J. Fountain was appointed to defend me and has done the best he could for me. He is willing to carry the case further if I can raise the money to bear his expense. The mare is about all I can depend on at present, so hope you will settle the case right away and give him the money you get for her. I shall be taken to Lincoln tomorrow. Please write and direct care of Garrett, sheriff. Excuse bad writing, I have my handcuffs on. I remain as ever, Yours Respectfully, W. H Bonney. William Keleher, “Violence in Lincoln County” Page 321
1881, April 21 Newly appointed Special Deputy Sheriff, Robert Olinger. Also known as “Pecos Bob” returns on the warrant primarily to be paid for his services. “I hereby certify that I have completed the performance of the service herein required this the 21st day of April 1881.
1881, April 28, Two days after Governor Lew Wallace drafts the Kid’s death warrant, William H Bonney killed Sheriff Garrett’s deputies J.W. Bell and Robert Olinger. Garrett was in White Oaks collecting taxes and possibly lumber for the hanging. William Keleher, “Volence in Lincoln County” Page 323.
1883, January 3, William R Morley was shot accidently while in a carriage in Aguas Calientes Mexico conducting inspecting a route for the Mexico Central Railroad. David L Caffey, Frank Springer and New Mexico, 2006, Page 63-64.
1883, February 2, Damian Romero, 18 years old, hosted a hanging at the Springer Courthouse before a crowd of 550 witnesses. Colfax County Sheriff Mason T Bowman’s first execution of a Mora hispano began when the Sheriff asked the young man standing on the gallow if he had anything to say befoe he read the death warrant. “Well, gentlemen, All I have to say is that I am not afraid to die because I am not guilty”
1884, April, Northern New Mexico Stock Growers Association held their second annual meeting in the Springer Courthouse. They discussed carrying firearms on the range, which they were against with the exception of extreme circumstances. Ruth Armstrong, The Chases of Cimarron,
1884. His chief Deputy Jesse Lee after the militia had separated and was delegated to take charge of the Springer Courthouse. Pat Garrett was considered as a replacement to Duce but was not interested in becoming a Sheriff until moving to Dona Anna County. Wyatt Earp & Jose visited Colfax County and Catron met with him on December 9 in Raton and was considered as an Assistant to Duce. Women have the final vote. Jim Peters Riders for the Grants Page 39
1884 October 13, Dick Rogers shot and killed Charles Miller in Chihuahua Raton. Jim Peters, 1971, Page 19
1884, November 22, Sheriff Elect John Duce Hixenbaugh a pro ring man had been elected sheriff in large part to MW Mills. Hixenbaugh tries to arrest Dick Rogers an anti grant man in the dark at Buena Vista Cemetary and is wounded in the leg that eventually led to amputation. His chief Deputy Jesse Lee after the militia had separated and was delegated to take charge of the Springer Courthouse. Pat Garrett was considered as a replacement to Duce but was not interested in becoming a Sheriff until moving to Dona Ana County.
1884 December 3, Governor Sheldon paosted a $500 reward for the arrest and conviction of Dick Rogers, murderer of Charles Miller. Jim Peters, Incident on Red River,1971, Page 19.
1884, December 9 TB Catron met with Wyatt and Josie Earp in Raton for consideration as an Assistant to Duce. Woman have always had the final vote.
1884 December 26, Raton Comet wrote. “Jim Masterson, one time marshal of Trinidad, will be the next deputy sheriff under Hixenbaugh… he is a man of courage, will pursue a terror in the world-be bad men.”
1885 Edmund G Ross becomes New Mexico Territorial Governor with economic development a priority.
1885 January 23, Sheriff Hixenbaugh appointed James H. Masterson and Will Tabor as dputies. Jim Peters, Incidents on Red River, 1971, Page 19
1885 January 30, Rogers, Tom South, Sam Staley, tom Wallington and Ed King threatened to kill anyone leaving the Raton dance hall. MA Otero My life on the Frontier, 1939, Page 152
1885 February 16, Governor Sheldon raised the reward for the capture of Dick Rogers to $1,000, $500 for the murder of Miller and$500 for the shooting of Sheriff Hixenbaugh in the cemetery. Jim Peters, Incidents in Red River, 1971, Page 20
1885 February 18, Governor Sheldon organized a territorial militia at Raton to stop the lawlessness. Col Frost’s regiment, the 2nd infantry , and designated Company H, voted officers were Masterson, Captain; Deputy Sheriff Jesse W Lee, 2nd Lieutenant John M Cavanaugh, 1st Sergeant. General Edward L Bartlett filed the papers for James Masterson and commissions of the officers. Jim Peters, Incidents at Red River, 1971, Page 20.
1885 February 21, JC Holmes, Raton Independent Editor, delivered a petition of 88 Raton business men against the Militia too Governor Sheldon in Santa Fe. “We have no fear of trouble from the Dick Rogers Gang” MA Otero, My life on the Frontier, 1939, Page 152
1885 February 27, Raton Comet reports that arms delivered “last week two cases of arms addressed to James H Masterson, Captain company H. Territorial Militia, arrived at the express office in Raton. WA Keleher, Maxwell Land Grant, 1942, Page 99
1885 February 28, Dick Rogers rode into Dillon Canyon near Raton with friends guaranteeing protection where they met a posse in Raton where they went to Blossburg where a preliminary hearing allowed Rogers to give himself up. He pleaded guilty in killing Miller under self- defense and released on a $1,000 bond. Captain Masterson arrived in Raton and made the mistake of and threatened J.E Herndon for signing the petition against the militia. Jim Peters, Incidents on Red River. 1971, Page 24
1885 Rev OP McMains travels to Washington representing the squatters rights and becomes the editor of the Raton Comet whom exposed the Maxwell Land Grant Company plan to remove settlers whose property was not sanctioned by the board. The Company hired 35 militia men lead by James Masterson that was supported by the Governor with court order. Raton Comet declared this plan as “”the vampires and land grant pirates of New Mexico”.
1885 March, Governor Ross writes a St Louis Friend John O’Grady a sixteen page letter “ The curse of the territory is the rings. Many years ago a few sharp, shrewd Americans came here, discovered a number of small Mexican and Spanish Grants – purchased them at nominal prices- learned the Spanish language-integrated themselves into favor with the Mexican people, proceeded to enlarge the Grants they had purchased, and to manufacture at will, titles to still others, and to secure therefore Congressional recognition” Richard Ruddy, Edmund G Ross, 2013, Pg 248
1885 March, Arms were delivered to Raton from Santa Fe addressed to Militia Captain James Masterson. This was for many citizens the first notification of the organization of the Militia. MA Otero, May life on the Frontier, 1939, Page 152
1885 March 10, Governor Shelton ordered the militia disbanded. Masterson learns this while in Cimarron. George Curry formerly of Lincoln leads a meeting at the Raton Rink of 600 men where officers were elected, including Dick Rogers as Captain, Charles F Hunt First Lieutenant, Thomas P Gable Second Lieutenant and George Curry as First Sergent. 150 men patrolled the streets while OP McMains closes the saloons while Masterson and Militia was led to the Colorado Border never to return. Delbert Littrell Hughes, Give me Room, 1971. Page 124. George Curry 1861-1947, Page 50
1885, March 12. Mayor W. S. Sucksee, Paymaster USA arrived at Raton paid the troops and departed same station.
1885 March 15 SUNDAY John Dodds from Cow Creek Ranch CS Ranch rode to Springer to sell Corn and buy supplies became drunk and was arrested by Constable Carter in the Saloon swore out a warrant for disturbing the peace for bragging about once beating up Constable Carter. Dodds pleaded guilty to the Justice of the Peace Small and pays his fine. Dodds and Sam Littrell on their way back to Cow Creek a mile out of town with the corn and run into Jesse Lee a member of the militia organized by Masterson but was not aware they had been kicked out of the state to Colorado the day before. Constable Carter rearrested Dodds on assault and battery sent a telegraph to John Howe Raton stating that Rogers, my brother and others were in Springer and needed help, before being confined in the Courthouse Jail. Dick Rogers with at least 30 cowboys went to the office of District Attorney MW Mills adamant of the the liberation of prisoners in the Courthouse Jail. Mills denied their demands, then gave threats that unless turned loose they would kill Mills and all the officers. In the Jail were Hixenbaugh, Ernest Anthony a horse their, Jesse Less, Kimberly, McCall and Jack Williams, US Marshall Deputy at the Courthouse, cited with Dick Rogers. Delbert Littrell Hughes, Give me room, Page 124-125. Father Stanley, Springer Story, 1962 Page 6-7. 1948,Father Stanley, Raton, Page 36-37,
1885 March 16 MONDAY Five men from Raton ride up to the Springer Colfax County Courthouse from Red River US Marshall Deputy Jack Williams whom cited with Dick Rogers approached the entrance with unarmed Dick Rogers is ambushed. Tom Whealington on a horse rides to pick up Rogers and is killed by Deputy Jesse Lee, Kimberly and Hixeauaugh from their firearms, from the upstairs window. John Curry returned fire and was shot paralyzed 15 feet from the Courthouse entrance over Whealtington and taken to a Doctor and later to a room at the Springer House Hotel. George Curry, John Howe, and Bob Lee fire at the Courthouse and 40 men hold Springer hostage at the jail complex and ATSF Railroad Depot. MW Mills is prevented to send a telegraph at Depot and rides a wagon to Wagon Mound to request acting Governor Samuel Losch and General John Pope of Leavenworth to send Fort Union Troops to Springer. Superintendent Dyer of Santa Fe was successful of getting troops from Fort Union
1885 March 16 Fort Union Soldiers are dispatched on a train from Watrous and arrive in Springer where they take Deputy Jesse Lee and his deputy to San Miguel County. Leo E Oliva authored, Fort Unon and the Frontier Army in the Southwest, Division of History National Park Service, Santa Fe, New Mexico, Southwest Cultural Resources Center, Southwest Region National Park Service, Department of Interior, Professional papers No 41, 1993 from Chapter 7, the Third Fort Union: Construction and Military Operations: Part Two (1869-1891) states best the record from Fort Union from Pages 416-417. “ the civil authorities continued to call on the military when needed. In March 1885 at Springer a “mob of cowboys” had two deputy sheriffs corralled in the jail” From what could be learned in the sketchy detail provided. It appeared that two or more prisoners at the jail were wanted by a mob. It was not clear if the gang wanted to rescue the prisoners from the system of civil justice or punish them without waiting for the legal process to work. Whatever the motive, a band of desperados headed by Dick Rogers attacked the jail, and two of his band were killed and an innocent bystander was wounded. The mob then increased to included 70 to75 “cowboys”. They terrorized the town and thereatened to break into the jail. On March 16 acting Territorial Governor Samuel A Losch. On the recommendation of M.W. Mills (assistant district attorney at Las Vegas).asked Colonel Bradley to send troops from For Union to rescue the deputies and their prisoners. Bradley requested authority from the department commander, Brigadier General Christopher Colon Agur. Losch was informed that he would have to apply to the president for military aid, which was quickly done. Meanwhile Bradley sent Captain Joel T Kirkman and Lieutenant Stephen Young Seyburn, Tenth infantry, with 20 men from Fort Union so they would be on the scene if the president approved. The troops left the post at 6:00 PM on March 16 and traveled to Springer by rail from Watrous. Bradley explained that “any delay might have been fatal” and gave orders to the troops to protect the lives of civil officials. On March 17, before an answer was received from Washington, a telegram was sent to Bradley from Springer that the immediate threat there had dissipated. It may be assumed that arrival of troops had caused the mob to disperse. Troops were still required, Losch argued. To escort the civil officials while they transported the prisoners to Las Vegas. Where they could receive a fair examination and trial. Losch had gone from Snata Fe to Las Vegas and offered to send a special train to carry the prisoners and the escort. Colonel Bradley approve the escort, instructing Captain Kirkman, “ under no circumstances will you permit your command to become engaged in conflict with the mob”. The prisoners were delivered to the sheriff of San Miguel County at Las Vegas on March 18. The troops returned to Fort Union at 11:30 Pm. The same day. The next day Bradley telegraphed to department headquarters. “quiet restored” The presence of troops had again assisted the enforced of law and order in a society prone to violence. Because they were able to travel by rail, they were absent from the post only a short time (53.5 hours, during which they traveled 157 miles}.
1885 March 16 6 PM When the Soldiers, Acting Governor Losch, Major Sena, Superintendent Chrles Dyer and Chief Justice Axtell arrived in Springer at 2:45 PM the Vigilantes prevented entrance into the Courthouse. Marion Littrell, Charles F. Hunt, Thomas P gable and George Curry as a committee whom along with the lieutenant and three soldiers took Jesse Lee, Kimberly, and Hixenbaugh leaving Springer at 3:30 PM along with Losch, Axtell and Adj General Barlett arriving in Las Vegas at 7:00 PM held at San Miguel County Jail on the west side where Axtell ordered that they be held in jail without bond. The Court ordered the arrest of George Curry with 5,000 bond, arrest John Dodds, John Howe, and Bob Lee. When the case against Jesse Lee came to trial later, no witnesses appear and the case was thrown out.
1885 March 17, TUESDAY John Curry dies at 2:00 AM in the Springer House Hotel. Judge Axtell issues a bench warrant for George Curry, whom served three weeks in the Springer Courthouse Jail. Delbert Littrell Hughes, Give me Room, Page 126. George Curry was protected by a small brick house. MA Otero, My life on the Fronteir, 1939, Page 153
1885 March 17, Wed St Patricks Day Rogers 28 from Texas, Whealington 28 of Texas, and Rogers 19 born in Louisiana, were buried in Buena Vista Cemetery in Raton with three sermons. According to the cemetery plot it shows Dick Rogers is buried next to NR Noyes Marker while Red River Dick is buried next to Curry. These unmarked graves are across from the Maintenance Shop Section 3 Row 22. Delbert Littrell Hughes, Give Me Room, Page 124
1885, March 19, Chief Justice Axtell opens preliminary hearing in San Miguel District Court in Las Vegas but admitted that he was not the right person to hear the case. Dodds had no witnesses and that the case should go to the Colfax County Grand Jurry and then to the petit jury. MA Otero, Life on the Frontier, 1939, Page 162
1885, March 27, Colonel L.F. Bradley of the 13th Infantry summarizes his final report held in the Arrots Fort Union Collection, Volume 40, District of New Mexico Letters, Reports and Order 1885 at Highland University Special Collections. He addresses letter to Adjutant General at Fort Leavenworth.” Sir, I have the honor to report that as the 16th instant, I ordered two officers and 20 men from Fort Union to Springer, Colfax County, New Mexico, to protect the lives of Deputy Sheriffs Lee and Kimberly, who had taken refuge in the county jail to escape shooting at the hands of a mob of cow boys. I took this action on the most urgent request of the acting Governor of the Territory and after satisfying myself that nothing but the intervention of United States troops would save the lives of the peace officers of Colfax County. I enclose herewith copies of the report of the acting governor and adjutant General of New Mexico, and of Captain Kirkman, 10infantry , who commanded the detachment of the tenth infantry order to Springer.”
1885, Witness WE Corbette Clerk in the firm of the Springer Mercantile and Banking Company owned by Charles Springer and formerly by Henry Porter provides testimony at a hearing before the Justice of the peace. “ I was in Mr. Stepp’s Saloon on Sunday Evening and Mr Carter and I played a game of cribbage and were both going home; we shook the dice for a glass of beer, and just then Dick Rogers and his people came in. I don’t know that I know them all; there was Johnny Dodd and Dick rogers, Bob Lee and Red river tom; there was one I didn’t know, Curry, making five in all; Johnny Dodd, I think, had no belt on, but had a six shooter in his pants; when he came in he walked up to Carter and said: “You damned son a of a bitch, you tried to arrest me this morning, arrest me now” he struck him over the head. Carter said he did not want to fight, and then Dodd’s six shooter dropped on the floor in front of him, and Rogers jumped and picked it up and said: “ Don’t strike him with a gun, bug go for the son of a bitch and whip him with your fists.” Johnny went for hi and struck him on the side of the head and then threw him on the floor, and then somebody said: “Stamp the son of a bitch” The crowd gathered around and I couldn’t see whether they stamped hi or not; then Carter went around to wash himself, and Rogers said; “Now, you black son of a bitch, you have got to get out of here or I will make you go at the point of a six shooter” And he said “Jesse Lee and that long-legged editor has got to go with you and I am going to lick both of them, and if they don’t go they will have to at the end of my six shooter” They talked about themselves a little and walked out. Rogers came in afterwards and sat down and talked with me, and said that Jesse Lee and been following him over the country, trying to arrest him, and that he was going to lick him, and make him leave the country. He said he had been followed as long as he cared to be. He told Carter that if he didn’t leave town for Colorado, before sun up, that he would see that he went at the point atof a six shooter, and said as the same time that lee and martin would have to go. Carter mad the remark that he didn’t want to go into Colorado and that he would go the other way. I am a clerk of the Springer Mercantile and Banking Company and have been connected with the firm since the first of January. I have lived and worked in Springer before that. I was one of the first men in Springer after the town was started. I started over to the store that evening to see that everything was right before I went home. Everything was quiet there and came back and walked through the saloon. Rogers only made threats against Jesse Lee, Martin, and Jim Carter. I didn’t hear his mention any other names.
Did you have this information conveyed in any way to Mr. Martin? I merely said to some of the boys,” We don’t want to see any of the boys hurt,” and that somebody ought to go and tell them. I made the remark there that some of them should let the boys know. Idn’t want to see any trouble in the town. I didn’t want to go and tell the boys after being with these people, as they would think that I had conveyed the news to them and blame me for it,
You didn’t convey that information to Jesse Lee then? Personally, no sir
Did you ever convey it to any of them? No, Sir
What other people were in the saloon at the saloon at the time these threats were made, besides the Rogers party? Several. James Sibley was there; Pete, the gambler, and chub, the gambler, were there; he deals a game there and lives in town; and Peterson was there, and this gentleman, Mr Gillette; I think Mr Schaeffer was there.
Mr Corbett, that will be all for the present. MA Otero, My life on the Frontier, 1939, page 154-156
1885 Chief Justice Axtell oversees a grand jury and finds Jesse Lee not guilty. They took a change of venue to Taos County where they were tried and acquitted. MA Otero Life on the Frontier, 1939, Page 164
1885, May 15, Deputy Jesse Lee and Kimberly were transferred to Taos but was never brought to tria but Father Stanley wrote that it only tood forty minutes for a not guilty verdictl. No one served time for the three deaths of Rogers, Whealington, and Curry. Father Stanley, Springer Story, 1962,Page 8
1885 April 29, R.E Lee, 31 5’8”, dark hair, dark eyes, dark complexion, born in NM. In jail for disturbing the peace and released on April 30, 1885 Register of Prisoners Confined in County Jail of Colfax County for 1885.Colfax County Courthouse Raton; Notes taken from a book in basement in 1967 Chuck Hornung
1885 June 30, 1885 George Curry, 22 5’8”, light hair, blue eyes, light complexion, born in LA, In jail by order of the sheriff with no charge made. He was relieved on September 7, 1885 by posting a bond. In Curry’s Autobiography “ Two years later he entered a plea of guilty to “ unlawfully carrying arms in a settlement” and paid a fine of five dollars where the other charges were dismissed on motion by the District Attorney.” Colfax County Courthouse Raton; Notes taken from a book in basement in 1967 Chuck Hornung. George Curry 1861-1947 HB Hening,1958, Editors Forward
1885 April, Northern New Mexico Stock Growers Association Third Annual Meeting was held in the Springer Courthouse, whom held 400,000 cattle and whom shipped 3,000 cars of cattle in 1884 to Kansas City Stockyards. Ruth Armstrong, The Chases of Cimarron, 1981, Page 108.
1885, September, Colfax County District Court 168 criminal cases on the docket and over 100 indictments were rendered. WA Keleher, Maxwell Land Grant, 1942, Page 138
1886, May, George Curry writes “ I returned to Springer to stand trial, pleaded guilty to a charge of unlawful carrying fo firearms, and was fined five dollars. The other fifteen crimes with which I had been charged were discussed on motion of the prosecuting attorney.
1887 March 8. Frank Springer begins attorney arguments for the Maxwell Land Grant and Railway Company where five weeks later where the Supreme Court ruled “We are entirely satisfied that the Grant, as confirmed by the action of Congress, is a valid grant, that the survey and the patent issued upon it are entirely free from fraud” The Court announced its decision on April 18, 1887. David L Caffey, Frank Springer and New Mexico, 2006, Page 80
1887, April 27, New Mexico Highlands has its first President Frank Springer. David L Caffey, Frank Springer and New Mexico, 2006, Page 125
1888 August, Sheriff Deputies and anti-grant settlers had differences in Stonewall, Colorado that ended with the burning of a barn, hotel and two men died.
1895, March 31, Jim Masterson died at the age of forty in Guthrie, Oklahoma fo quick consumption. Jim Peters, Incidents in Red River, 1971, Page 27
1897, August 10, MW Mills files suit against the moving of the Colfax County Courthouse to Raton.
1899, August, Black Jack Ketchum robbed his last Denver Fort Worth Express train in Folsom less one arm.
1900, Judge William Mills in Clayton sentences Black Jack Ketchum to be hung eventually on April 26, 1901 less one head at the Union County Courthouse Gallows.
1907 George Curry becomes last New Mexico Territory Governor while leading the path to Statehood.
1911, Stephen B Elkins, dies in West Virginia, David L Caffey, Chasing the Santa Fe Ring, 2014, Pg 203
1921, May 15 Thomas B Catron dies in Santa Fe, David L Caffey, Chasing the Santa Fe Ring, 2014, Pg 203
1925, August 18, dies in his 20 room home ranch in Springer where he platted ATSF to run through Colfax County. New Mexico Historical Society lifetime Member; “ Was born October 11, 1845, in Canada, being a descendant of the Mills and Chase families, Quakers, who emigrated during the early part to the eighteenth century from the New England States to Canada, forming a part of a colony. Who established themselves on the north shore of Lake Erie, where they and their descendants now mostly reside (Sparta). The parents of M.W. Mills, after a brief residence in Canada, removed to the United States in 1860 his father emigrated to the West and nine years later was followed by his wife and child. Mr. Mills was graduated from the Ann Arbor law school, his academic education having been attained through his own unaided efforts. He joined his father at the Moreno mines, Colfax County, New Mexico and there began the practice of his profession and has successfully continued the same ever since. The County of Colfax , in which he located, has been the seat of many internal insurnections , and hundreds of people have been hung, shot and killed in various ways over local difficulties, so that law could not be enforced at times; the courts could not be held and the civil authorities were often at the mercy of the outlaws and worst types of desperadoes. It required courage and determination to contend against such characters, and Mr. Mills was among the very few who attempted to preserve peace, law and order, and in so doing he fell into the hands of the mob several times, but was rescued by good citizens “an d government soldiers, the soldiers being obtained through his efforts. He was twice elected to the Territoriral Legislature, and has held various other offices such as country and city attorney for Elizabethtown, and is now district attorney for a number of counties, and during his twenty years’ residence he has been in office most of the time. Mr. Mills is a large ranch and cattle owner and is interested and in control of one of the largest mercantile and banking houses in the Territory. Great credit is due him in subduing the lawless element in his county. And it is to such men, the country is indebted for its civilization and progress. Helen Haines History of New Mexico 1891, Pg 630-631
1927, June, Frank Springer signs his hand written three part indenture on the retirement of prior lien bonds in terminating the Maxwell Trust and place the remaining assets with the Dutch Company. David L Caffey, Frank Springer and New Mexico, 2006, Page 206
1927, September 22, Frank Springer dies in his Eastern home and is buried in Las Vegas two days later. David L Caffey, Frank Springer and New Mexico, 2006, Page 207
1927, November 27, Deluvina Maxwell a Navajo woman and friend of Billy the Kid dies in Albuquerque.
1938, Waite Phillips donates 35,857 acres to Boy Scouts and Philturn Rockymountain Scoutcamp established in Ponil Canyon. Stephen Zimmer, People of the Cimarron Country, 2012
1946 George Curry dies one of the most remarkable lives a New Mexican could ever live in their lifetime.
