I love history and I love historical films. I also enjoy
discovering what the films got right, what it got wrong and what it twisted for
dramatic effect. Most everyone is familiar with the 1988 film, Young Guns starring Emilio Estevez,
Charlie Sheen, Kiefer Sutherland. Through the years and many viewings, I didn’t
realize until recently when my husband and I were watching it again that the
events in the movies were inspired by actual events. I realize that I didn’t
really pay attention to the historical aspects or just assumed it was a
fabricated conflict set in the American West. The Lincoln County War is an Old
West conflict between two rival factions: the Murphy-Dolan faction and
Tunstall-McSween faction. Beginning in 1878 in the New Mexico Territory, it
would drag on until 1881. The feud became famous due to the participation of
Billy the Kid. What started the war? Who were some of the key figures? How
accurate was the movie, Young Guns?
The conflict began over control of dry good and cattle
interests. John Tunstall arrived in Lincoln County in November 1876 and started
a business with Alexander McSween, a lawyer, and John Chisum, a cattleman, to
develop a cattle ranch, store and a bank. They became competition for the
general store called “The House” owed by James Dolan and Lawrence Murphy who
economically and politically controlled the town. According to historians, one
main event which led to hostilities was the controversy over the disbursement
of an insurance policy. Emil Fritz was a partner of Murphy and when he died in
1874, the executors of the estate hired McSween to collect his insurance
policy. After collecting, McSween refused to turn over the money to the
executors because The House claimed the money was owed to them for a debt.
“McSween also knew how badly strapped for cash the House was and as a business
competitor was likely loathe to see the money go to them, whether their claim
was legitimate or not” (Nolan, 1992). A court order was later issued to seize
all McSween’s assets and included Tunstall’s assets as well (Nolan, 1998).
Sheriff Brady formed a posse to seize Tunstall’s ranch and Dolan would hire
various gangs including the Jesse Evans Gang to harass and rustle the cattle
from the Tunstall and Chisum ranches (Harden, 2012). Tunstall would be murdered
on February 18, 1878 bringing the hostilities to full steam. Various battles
and skirmishes would occur leading up to the Battle of Lincoln on July 15-19,
1878, a 5-day gunfight and siege resulting in the death of McSween and
scattering the Regulators. Surviving Regulators, including Billy the Kid, would
continue hostilities and would end in 1881 when the last of the Regulators were
gunned down.
Billy the Kid was born Henry McCarty on September 17 (or
November 23), 1859 and used the alias William H. Bonney. He would be gain
notoriety from his participation in the Lincoln County War. He was shot and
killed by Pat Garrett on July 14, 1881. However, in the decades following his
death, many men would claim to be him which is the basis for the story of Young Guns II (1990). John Tunstall was born on March 6, 1853 and
his death would be the catalyst which would ignite the Lincoln County war. His
death deeply his associates especially Billy the Kid whom he had always treated
well. Alexander McSween was born in Canada and after attending law school, made
his way to New Mexico. He originally worked for Murphy and Dolan but left to
form a partnership with Tunstall. James Dolan was born on May 2, 1848 in
Ireland and would immigrate to the US and serve in the Civil War. He would be a
key instigator in the conflict. Lawrence Murphy was born in 1831 in Ireland and
would serve in the US Army before moving to New Mexico. His store with Dolan charged
high prices for their goods to the local farmers and ranchers, making them
hated among much of the local population. When Tunstall and McSween opened
their competing store, which enraged Dolan and Murphy supported any means
necessary to end the competition. William Brady was born on August 16, 1829 in
Ireland. He was elected sheriff of Lincoln County in 1876 and become close
friends with Murphy and sided with the Murphy-Dolan side of the conflict. He
was killed in an ambush with the Regulators on April 1, 1878. Billy the Kid
would be tried and convicted of his death and sentenced to death; however, he
escaped before the sentence could be carried out.
Most Hollywood films based on historical events are not
known for their accuracy and Young Guns
is no different. First, the movie portrays John Tunstall (played by Terrence
Stamp) as an older English gentleman. Tunstall was only 24 years old when he
died. Tunstall also wasn’t trying to civilize the rough and tumble youth of the
area. He was looking for hired hands who could protect his interests. Second,
the movie portrays Lawrence Murphy (played by Jack Palance) as the main
villain. In fact, Murphy was dying of cancer by 1878 and left most of the
business to Dolan, the real rival of the Regulators. Third, speaking of the
Regulators. The movie portrays that there were six members: Dick Brewer, Billy
the Kid, Doc Spurlock, Charlie Bowdre, Jose Chavez y Chavez and Dirty Dave. In
fact, these six were just a part of dozens of Regulators as well as Mexican
supporters who participated in the events. Third, in the film, a character
remarks that none of the Regulators are over 21. From the Regulators portrayed
in the film, Billy the Kid was the only one under 21. Chavez was 26, Charlie
was 30, Doc was 29, and Dick Brewer was 28. Lastly, the movie portrays the
primary motive for the building hostilities was money. While money was a main
issue as both sides were vying for a military contract with nearby Fort Stanton;
however, it was only one factor. Another factor was ethnically based. Dolan,
Murphy and many of their men were Irish immigrants or of Irish decent and
Catholic. Tunstall, McSween and their allies were mostly English Protestant. And
it came down to class too. Tunstall and McSween thought they were better than
the lowly Irish men as they were better educated Englishmen.
In conclusion, while Young
Guns is not historically accurate, and it should not be viewed as such, it
can be the jumping point to discover the true story of the Lincoln County War
and the Regulators. It has brought to my attention a small piece of historical
events of the American Wild West. In the film, there was clear cut bad guys and
good guys. However, there were no real good guys or bad guys. Both sides were
motivated by greed, religious and ethnic prejudice. While the events helped
spur Billy the Kid’s reputation and the beginnings of his legend, many of the
individuals involved in this conflict have been left to a small portion of
American history that many people are not aware of. After watching a film that
is based on a true story or historical event, take the time to learn more. Find
books or documentaries to discover the story beyond the Hollywood version. You
may discover hidden gems of history.
References
Harden, Paul (September 1, 2012). "Cowboys and cattle
rustlers". DC Chieftain.
Nolan, Frederick (1992). The Lincoln County War: A
Documentary History. Santa Fe, NM: Sunstone Press.
Nolan, Frederick (1998). The West of Billy the Kid. Norman,
OK: University of Oklahoma Press.
