Wyoming Johnson County War

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

I recall when I was young and read the American Horsemen every month, I recall the story of Portugee Phillip's Ride. A christmas ride through the snow drifts to carry the news of Fettermans Massacre.  Somehow my impression was of a snow storm in Texas.  I was wrong, and Mr. Google put me straight.

http://www.wyomingbnb-ranchrec.com/History.PhillipsRide.html

I found Portugee Phillips exploits in several places but this one caught my attention.  It is a Wyoming tourist, B&B, and dude ranch guide, but has a bit of history under the heading of "campfire stories".

Here is a short piece on the Johnson County Wars;

http://www.wyomingbnb-ranchrec.com/History.JohnsonCountyWar.html

[Hedley Lamarr]

If memory serves, the Hell on Wheels match used to be held on one of the farms where there was a shoot-out during the Johnson County War.

[ChuckBurrows]

and it's still a touchy subject with many of the old time locals.......

[panhead pete]

We stayed at The Occidental for a night in Buffalo WY.  There was an elderly young lady who was the local historian.  She had some interesting stories and became quite animated when the word sheep was spoken!! 

Some say Nate Champion was an honest rancher being pushed out by the Barons.  I suppose I generally take sides with the underdogs.  There was a recent show on new letters and evidence about Cattle Kate.  I think it was on History Detectives.  It sort makes you lean against the Barons.

It seems the authorities usually side with the money and not the righteous.  That might make me a Tunstall man after all??

Adios,

Panhead

[Ranch 13]

Things haven't changed much in 120 years. We still got moneyed people from somewhere else coming in thinking they can throw their weight and money around, do whatever they want. Wild and Woolley west you know.

[James Hunt]

Hmmm, if you are staying at the Occidental (bring your checkbook but worth it for one night) you need to stop at the cemetery just south of Buffalo and pay your respect to Joe Lefors. Then again, some of you may want to jump up and down a bit on that patch of earth. Depends on whose side you are coming down on. But a very interesting town with one of the best little museums in the West. A little further south and you will pass old Nates ranch, keep going and when you hit Kaycee hang a right and drive to Barnum (if you see it let me know cause I never did), when you hit a fork in the road you'll be looking at Butch's old ranch on blue creek, just a few miles north of the old Hole in the Wall cabins, or what is left of them. Be careful where you step, that is private property and the don't like easterners wandering about.

We were all born to late.

[Delmonico]

Be careful where you step, that is private property and the don't like easterners wandering about.

Well that's cause Easterners most often fail to ask first, us Westerners learn that at a young age.

[Ranch 13]

and drive to Barnum (if you see it let me know cause I never did), when you hit a fork in the road you'll be looking at Butch's old ranch on blue creek, just a few miles north of the old Hole in the Wall cabins, or what is left of them. Be careful where you step, that is private property and the don't like easterners wandering about.

Actually that never was "Butch's" ranch. It was however the Stubs/Austin ranch, and I wonder if you're confusing what's left of Marie Austins lambing barns and sheep camp with some mysterious "Hole in the Wall Cabins"?

A hearty second and recommend a do pass to Del's response.

[Doc Cuervo]

Hmmm, if you are staying at the Occidental (bring your checkbook but worth it for one night) you need to stop at the cemetery just south of Buffalo and pay your respect to Joe Lefors. Then again, some of you may want to jump up and down a bit on that patch of earth. Depends on whose side you are coming down on. But a very interesting town with one of the best little museums in the West. A little further south and you will pass old Nates ranch, keep going and when you hit Kaycee hang a right and drive to Barnum (if you see it let me know cause I never did), when you hit a fork in the road you'll be looking at Butch's old ranch on blue creek, just a few miles north of the old Hole in the Wall cabins, or what is left of them. Be careful where you step, that is private property and the don't like easterners wandering about.

We were all born to late.

I tend to be one of those that would "relive" myself on Lefore's grave. He was a crooked lowdown snake.

[Stillwater]

I tend to be one of those that would "relive" myself on Lefore's grave. He was a crooked lowdown snake.

You are as right as can be, LeFors was a snake... However, I would bring my dog along and let him relieve himself as well...

Bill

[Stillwater]

Well that's cause Easterners most often fail to ask first, us Westerners learn that at a young age.

In Montana you learn that at a very early age...

Bill