Homesteaders

"Well the county was in an uproar And every man saddled up to ride

Caught the cattlemen at the T. A. Ranch

And surrounded all four sides

We hailed the house with bullets

Swore they were going to pay

But the calvery came across the plains

And once again saved the day.""

- Chris LeDoux, "Johnson County War"

The Johnson County War was a range that was fought in Johnson County, Wyoming in the years between 1889–1893. Considered to be the most popular and recognizable range war in Old West history, the war was fought between large cattle barons and corporations against small ranchers, cowboys and homesteaders who both competed for the open range in the county. In the late 19th century, harsh weather forced the large cattle industries to take control of the land, water and roving cattle in the region to keep their businesses afloat. This monopoly was challenged by the small ranchers and homesteaders who also want to make a living in the region. Tensions soon worsen when the cattle barons started to imprison, lynch and outright murder civilians who they suspected of rustling or going up against them. They also tried to assassinate a prominent leader of the homesteaders named Nate Champion, but the cowboy killed one of the assassins sent to do him.

The war escalated in 1892 when the cattle barons, having enough of the smaller homesteaders, hired gunmen from Texas to invade the county and intimidate or kill residents that were against them. The invaders killed Nate Champion and his friend Nick Ray in a long siege, but not without losing at least 4 of their men and wounding three. After hearing of Champion's murder, many of the residents in Johnson County grabbed their weapons and rode off to avenge him. The residents chased after the invaders and the gunmen took refuge inside a barn. The two forces then a drawn out stand-off, with the former losing three to five men in battle. The news of the fighting reached Washington itself, and President Benjamin Harris sent the cavalry to stop the conflict.

The conflict however persisted. The residents continued their defiance, blowing up army barracks and installations. In one instance the residents even had a gunfight with the famed Buffalo Soldiers sent to pacify them, wounding several and killing one. The Johnson County Residents tried to imprison the invaders in court but the more powerful cattle barons secured their release. Although they failed to take the invaders to justice, in the end however, they were successful in protecting their people and eliminating the monopoly over the open range by the large corporations.

Battle vs Blair Mountain Rebels (by Elgb333)
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