The Notorious Billy The Kid: Unveiling the Untold Saga of the Lincoln County War in Season 2

Summary

The conflict known as the Lincoln County War erupted as rival factions, Murphy-Dolan and Tunstall-McSween, vied for supremacy over land, commodities, and services within the New Mexican territory.

The conflict between the two factions started out of greed and self-interest. Murphy-Dolan wanted to preserve their monopoly, while Tunstall decided to establish a competing store and bank.

During the Lincoln County War, John Tunstall was murdered, Sheriff William Brady was killed by the Regulators, and Alex McSween's house was burned down, marking the pinnacle of the conflict. The war finally came to an end with the death of Billy the Kid, who was shot by Pat Garrett.

In season 2 of Billy the Kid, the historic Lincoln County War is vividly reimagined. This war was one of many disputes that occurred in the Old American West. The infamous Billy the Kid, also known as William H. Bonney, played a significant role in this legendary conflict. He fought alongside John Tunstall, an Englishman, as one of his Regulators. However, Billy the Kid found himself pitted against his old friend Jesse Evans, who was aligned with a corrupt coalition led by Lawrence Murphy, an Irishman, and his partners John Riley and James Dolan. The Lincoln County War primarily consisted of a series of revenge killings instigated by these rival factions.

In season 2, the Billy the Kid characters are crucial participants in the Lincoln County War. This war essentially revolved around the struggle for control and ownership of land, resources, and services in the largely unexplored New Mexican territory. Lincoln County officially became a part of the United States in 1869, just four years after the conclusion of the Civil War. It was named in honor of President Abraham Lincoln. However, Murphy and his associates, known as The House, quickly established a monopoly over all available goods in Lincoln County starting from 1873. This monopoly was disrupted when Tunstall and the lawyer Alex McSween established their own general store and bank, generating significant tension.

The Feud Between Murphy-Dolan & Tunstall-McSween Began In 1876

The feud between Murphy's House and Tunstall's Regulators stemmed from greed and self-interest. Murphy and Dolan were despised by the local farmers and ranchers due to their exorbitant prices for necessary goods. Dolan, in particular, was angered by Tunstall's attempts to challenge their monopoly by opening a general store and bank called "J. H. Tunstall & Co." in the same area. However, Tunstall was not much different from Murphy and Dolan, as he also aimed to profit greatly from his business ventures. Dolan eventually challenged Tunstall to a gunfight, but Tunstall declined and preferred to hire others to fight on his behalf.

Murphy and Dolan had already established their dominance in the region by the time Tunstall arrived in 1876. They used their status and influence to collaborate with several lawmen, including Sherriff William Brady. Additionally, they recruited local cowboys such as the Seven Rivers Warriors and the Jesse Evans Gang to intimidate the natives and harass Tunstall and his associates. Billy the Kid, once a member of the Jesse Evans Gang, grew disenchanted with Murphy and Dolan's dishonorable tactics and decided to join forces with Tunstall as Lincoln County teetered on the edge of an imminent war.

The Jesse Evans Gang Murdered John Tunstall In February 1878

Billy The Kid & The Regulators Killed Sheriff William Brady In April 1878

The Lincoln County War began officially when John Tunstall, owner of a cattle ranch, was shot and killed by members of the Jesse Evans Gang. It is said that Billy the Kid witnessed this brutal murder in Lincoln, New Mexico. Leading the charge to kill Tunstall were Jesse Evans, William Morton, and Tom Hill. Tunstall's death gave rise to the Regulators, a group formed with the purpose of seeking justice for him and dismantling the corrupt alliance between Murphy's House, a part of the larger Santa Fe Ring, and the Lincoln County Sheriff's Department.

Following the brutal assassination of their leader John Tunstall, Billy the Kid and the Regulators retaliated by taking the life of Sheriff William Brady, who served as a crucial connection between the Murphy-Dolan coalition and the corrupt law enforcement officials in Lincoln County. Before his demise, Brady had sought assistance from Thomas Catron, the leader of the Santa Fe Ring, to discredit the Regulators and question their authority as deputies. This authority had been granted to them by Judge John Wilson, a decision that Catron and Governor Samuel Axtell deemed incorrect. Just days later, Billy the Kid and several members of the Regulators fatally shot Brady, right in the heart of Lincoln.

The Leader Of The Regulators Dick Brewer Got Killed At The Battle Of Blazer's Mill

The Regulators continued their pursuit of John Tunstall's murderers despite Catron and Axtell undermining their lawful status. Billy the Kid and other Regulators engaged in a heated shootout with Buckshot Roberts at the Battle of Blazer's Mill, leaving the group leaderless after Dick Brewer's death. Although Billy the Kid was never regarded as the official leader, Frank McNab was appointed in his place. However, McNab's tenure was cut short when he was killed in a gunfight at Fritz Ranch involving the Seven Rivers and the Jesse Evans Gang.

The Murphy-Dolan Group Set Alex McSween's House On Fire In July 1878

The climax of the Lincoln County War came when Alex McSween's house was set ablaze during the Battle of Lincoln. The Murphy-Dolan group, with McSween leading the Regulators and Tunstall no longer in the picture, struck at the heart by targeting McSween's family home. The house served as both the residence for McSween's family and a central meeting point for the Regulators. Thankfully, McSween's family managed to escape the inferno while Billy the Kid and the Regulators bravely defended against the Jesse Evans Gang and the Seven Rivers. Tragically, McSween lost his life in the battle, bringing an end to the longstanding conflict between the Murphy-Dolan and Tunstall-McSween factions once and for all.

The Lincoln County War Officially Ended With Billy The Kid's Death In July 1881

The Lincoln County War officially came to an end when lawman Pat Garrett killed Billy the Kid. After the Battle of Lincoln, the Regulators disbanded and became wanted criminals, escaping from Lincoln County. Garrett's efforts led to the deaths of Billy the Kid and his two closest companions, Tom O'Folliard and Charlie Fowdre. Although Billy was not directly involved in causing the tensions that sparked the war, he had become a larger-than-life symbol of the conflict. Known for his skills as a gunslinger, Billy the Kid was one of the most prominent fighters in the Lincoln County War. Therefore, his death marked the definitive conclusion of the deadly dispute.