Lawrence Murphy
Lawrence Murphy | |
---|---|
Old West businessman and member of the Santa Fe Ring | |
Known for | Main instigator of the Lincoln County War |
Lawrence Gustave Murphy (1831 – October 20, 1878) was an
Early life
This section needs additional citations for verification. (February 2022) |
Murphy was
After he was discharged in 1861, he ventured to Santa Fe, New Mexico, and reenlisted once again in the Union Army. He served for the duration of the Civil War, but saw little, if any, combat.
He mustered out at
He established relationships with other well-connected G.A.R. members and went into business with
They also hatched schemes to sell land they didn't own to unsuspecting farmers. This, however,was common practice at the time and, in
Murphy eventually moved to
Lincoln County War
What would become known as the Murphy-Dolan faction charged local farmers and ranchers high prices for their goods, causing them to be resented by many local people.
To counter them, rancher John Tunstall and former Murphy-Dolan lawyer Alexander McSween opened a rival business in 1876, called "J. H. Tunstall & Co".
The Tunstall-McSween faction had the support of powerful rancher
The gangs began rustling Tunstall's herds or dispersing them which prompted Tunstall to form a gang called the Lincoln County Regulators, which included Dick Brewer, Doc Scurlock, Billy the Kid, and Charlie Bowdre.
On February 18, 1878, while Tunstall was alone, he was shot and killed by
This event sparked the Lincoln County War, one of the best known range wars. To counter Sheriff Brady's lack of action on the murder, McSween took command of the Regulators, having them legally deputized, and tasked with the apprehension of the murderers.
On March 6, 1878, the Regulators captured Morton and Baker. On March 9, 1878, the Regulators executed both men as well as William McCloskey, a fellow Regulator suspected of being a traitor.
On April 1, 1878, the Regulators ambushed and murdered Sheriff Brady and Deputy
Several other killings following this were committed by both the Regulators and the gunmen employed by Murphy-Dolan. The range war culminated in the Battle of Lincoln from July 15–19, 1878.
Death
By that time Murphy was in poor health, suffering from cancer. He was, by this time, having little to do with the day-to-day activities of his businesses or the gunmen under his employ. He died on October 20, 1878, around the age of 47.
Popular culture
- Murphy was portrayed by Forrest Tucker in the 1970 film Chisum.
- Jack Palance portrayed Murphy in the 1988 film Young Guns. Murphy's death was changed to him being killed at the end of the Battle of Lincoln after the Regulators escape. Billy the Kid doubles back and says "Reap it, Murphy, you son of a bitch!" before shooting Murphy between the eyes.
References
- ^ Robert M. Utley (1987), High Noon in Lincoln: Violence on the Western Frontier, University of New Mexico Pres. Page 5.
Further reading
- Dickson, Brandon (October 2023). "The Posse That Killed John Tunstall: The story of what happened to them". ISSN 1940-221X.