The Mystical Secrets of the Santa Fe Ring: Unraveling the Enigmatic Society Behind Billy the Kid
The Santa Fe Ring, a notorious secret society, exerted immense control over the Old West Corrupt attorneys, politicians, and influential figures like Lawrence Murphy and Thomas Catron shaped the landscape, monopolizing goods and inciting range feuds like the Lincoln County War
Summary
Billy the Kid season 2 explores the self-interest of the corrupt Santa Fe Ring, a powerful group of American politicians and attorneys.
The Santa Fe Ring held dominion over law enforcement, business operations, and political matters in New Mexico, rendering its members immune to public scorn. Lawrence Murphy, James Dolan, and John Riley monopolized the trade in Lincoln County, leveraging their wealth and power to secure the support of local authorities.
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In the season 2 premiere of Billy the Kid, much of the conflict revolves around the self-interest of the mysterious Santa Fe Ring. Season 1 delved into various aspects of Billy's early life before he gained notoriety as a gunslinger and outlaw. Following the end of the Civil War, Billy traveled with his family from New York City, where it is believed he was born, to Indiana and Kansas, where he spent most of his childhood. When his mother passed away, leaving him orphaned, Billy made his way out West and spent a significant amount of time in Lincoln County, New Mexico.
Episode 1 of Billy the Kid's second season uncovers previously unknown details about the Santa Fe Ring's interests in the burgeoning territory of Lincoln County. While there may be historical inaccuracies in both seasons of the MGM+ series, one thing they accurately depict is the Santa Fe Ring—a powerful yet corrupt group of American politicians and lawyers. Although Billy himself is not directly involved in the Santa Fe Ring's political and imperialistic agenda, he becomes entangled in their territorial feud as a hired hand and ruthless enforcer.
The Santa Fe Ring Was A Corrupt Group Of Elite New Mexican Attorneys & Politicians
The Santa Fe Ring, also known as Murphy's House in Billy the Kid, comprised a group of influential and corrupt American politicians, lawyers, and land speculators in the Old West region of New Mexico. Billy the Kid describes various factions of the Ring across the United States, establishing them as one of the earliest and most influential organized crime syndicates in American history. Beyond the realm of secret societies, the Santa Fe Ring's corrupt activities and abuse of power were widely known among the public and media due to their shared wealth and fortunes. Despite public disdain for their control over prices and manipulation of law enforcement and judicial systems, the Santa Fe Ring remained untouchable for decades after the Civil War, comparable to the Italian mafias and Irish mobs that came later.
Lawrence Murphy Became A High-Ranking Member Of The Santa Fe Ring In 1866
One of the Santa Fe Ring's original esteemed members was Lawrence Murphy, an Irishman who established himself in Lincoln County as early as 1866. Despite having little combat experience, Murphy had previously served in the Union Army during the Civil War, which allowed him to form valuable connections and exploit opportunities to supply the county with essential provisions like fresh food. Exploiting fraudulent contracts and land grants, Murphy cunningly deceived unsuspecting farmers and families in the surrounding area of Santa Fe, New Mexico by selling them land that he did not actually own.
Murphy, James Dolan, & John Riley Formed A Monopoly Of Goods In Lincoln County
Moving to Lincoln County, New Mexico, Murphy established his own storefront L. G. Murphy & Co. in 1869. Together with his business associate James Dolan, they established a complete monopoly over goods and services in Lincoln County by 1874. With no competition in sight, Murphy and Dolan's store thrived, enjoying unmatched portability. Murphy emerged as a prominent figure in Lincoln County, leveraging his wealth and influence as a member of the Santa Fe Rings to garner support from local lawmen like Sheriff William Brady, who aligned their interests with his.
Thomas Catron Was One Of The Most Powerful Members Of The Santa Fe Ring
Thomas Catron, one of the original founders of the Santa Fe Ring, held a higher position than Murphy within the organization. His influence played a significant role in delaying New Mexico's official admission into the United States until 1912, as he exploited the advantages of the territory's non-statehood. Catron epitomized the intentions of the Santa Fe Rings, which focused on maintaining control over New Mexico. During the late 1800s, Catron possessed the largest landholding in New Mexico, totaling over two million acres. Together with other prominent members of the Santa Fe Ring, he acquired these extensive territories from the Spanish in the 1870s after the Civil War.
Prior to his involvement in the Santa Fe Rings, Catron served the Confederacy during the American Civil War. It was not until 1866 that he relocated to New Mexico and established the Santa Fe Rings in collaboration with Stephen Elkins. Within a year, Catron proficiently learned Spanish and became a practicing attorney, specializing in Spanish land grants. In 1869, he was appointed as the Attorney General of the Territory of New Mexico. In 1878, Catron assumed the position of the United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, where he made his first appearance in season 2 of Billy the Kid. Eventually, he became one of the initial United States Senators representing New Mexico, a testament to his formidable standing within the Santa Fe Rings.
The Santa Fe Ring Started Several Range Feuds In New Mexico Including The Lincoln County War
The Santa Fe Ring, led by Catron and driven by Murphy, showed interest in various range wars in New Mexico, including the Lincoln County War. Additionally, they were involved in two other well-known territorial conflicts, namely the Pecos War and the Colfax County War. With the goal of gaining complete control over New Mexico, the Santa Fe Ring readily employed gunslingers, cowboys, and Civil War veterans to carry out their tasks. These ruthless ambitions and significant influence directly influenced the shaping of New Mexico into the state it is today, with infamous figures like Billy the Kid becoming national symbols.
