Young Guns and the Lincoln County War

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.