Wyoming Territory & Johnson County War Quiz

Wyoming Territory in the 1870s

• In 1870, only 9,000 U.S. citizens lived in the Wyoming Territory, with most land owned by the government.
• The Union Pacific Railroad crossed southern Wyoming in the late 1860s, leading to the development of massive cattle ranches throughout the 1870s.
• These ranches were financed by wealthy investors, many of whom were British.
• As the population grew, "cattlemen deemed worthy and respectable" were appointed to key government positions, including the judiciary.

The Johnson County War (1892)

• The harsh winter of 1886-1887 caused significant losses for large ranchers, weakening their influence and power.
• Smaller ranchers, who fared better during the winter, were accused by large ranchers of stealing cattle (rustling).
• This suspicion arose because of the longstanding problem of rustling on the open range, but intensified due to the large ranchers’ struggles.
• The Wyoming Stock Growers Association (WSGA) banned small ranchers suspected of rustling from the spring roundup.
• Ordinary people resented the large ranchers' dominance and often refused to convict accused rustlers, leading the large ranchers to consider taking the law into their own hands.
• The conflict over land and resources led to a violent struggle between large ranchers and small ranchers/homesteaders.

The Escalation of Conflict

• In 1889, small ranchers Jim Averill and Ella Watson were lynched after a dispute with a cattleman named Albert Bothwell.
• Bothwell took over their homestead and Ella's cattle.
• Other killings and murder attempts followed, leaving three small ranchers dead.

The Homesteaders' Response

• In 1892, homesteaders and small ranchers formed their own association, planning a roundup a month before the WSGA to claim unbranded calves.
• This move enraged the WSGA.

The WSGA's Plan for Revenge

• The WSGA, inspired by a vigilante campaign in Montana in 1884, planned a full-scale invasion of Johnson County.
• They aimed to kill 70 men whom they deemed a threat to the ranching industry.
• The governor of Wyoming was aware of the plan and supported it.
• The WSGA raised $100,000 to fund the invasion, primarily for legal fees after the killings.

The Invasion of Johnson County

• They hired 22 Texan gunmen at $5 per day plus expenses and a bonus of $50 per rustler killed.
• The gunmen were transported to Wyoming by the Union Pacific Railroad.
• Despite being well-armed and supplied, the invaders failed to carry out their original plan to kill 70 men.
• Instead, they attacked the KC Ranch, where they were met with resistance from Nate Champion and Nick Ray.
• After setting the ranch's cabin on fire, the invaders killed Champion.
• The invasion sparked outrage among local residents, who joined Sheriff Angus in pursuit of the invaders.

The Siege at T.A. Ranch

• The invaders fortified themselves at the T.A. Ranch, surrounded by 300 angry residents.
• They were only able to escape when the U.S. Sixth Cavalry arrived and intervened.

The Trial and Aftermath

• The invaders benefited from powerful connections, including support from the governor, judge, U.S. Marshal, and two U.S. senators.
• The governor requested troops be sent to the T.A. Ranch to prevent further bloodshed.
• The troops escorted the invaders to Fort Fetterman to prevent lynching.
• Despite the WSGA's $100,000 fund, they hired top Chicago lawyers who stalled the trial until the prosecution ran out of money and dropped the charges.

The Significance of the Johnson County War

• The war illustrates the use of vigilante justice in the American West during the 19th century.
• The conflict over land and resources led to a violent struggle between large ranchers and small ranchers/homesteaders.
• The war ultimately ended when farmers began fencing their land, bringing an end to the open range and reducing tensions.