The Johnson County War 1892

• What is the Johnson County War?

  It is one of many range wars in the Wild West.
• What groups were in conflict during the Johnson County War?

  The conflict was between ranchers and homesteaders.
• Why did ranchers and homesteaders come into conflict?

  Ranching required large amounts of public grazing land.
• How much public grazing land did ranchers typically require?

  Around 2,000 acres or more.
• What tactics did ranchers use against homesteaders?

  They used both legal and illegal tactics to block homesteaders.
• What did homesteaders do under the Homestead Act?

  They claimed land and turned it into private farms.
• What accusations did ranchers make against homesteaders?

  They accused them of rustling cattle and harming their cattle with barbed wire fences.
• Who were the victims of murder that escalated the Johnson County War?

  Jim Averill and Ella Watson.
• Who accused Jim Averill and Ella Watson of rustling cattle?

  Albert Bothwell, a member of the Wyoming Stock Growers Association.
• What was the response of small ranchers and homesteaders to the murders?

  They plotted revenge by forming their own association.
• What did the Wyoming Stock Growers Association (WSGA) do in response to the small ranchers' actions?

  They launched an invasion of Johnson County.
• How many armed men did the WSGA hire for the invasion?

  25 armed men.
• What was the purpose of the hit list created by the WSGA?

  To identify 70 men they believed should die.
• What was the bounty placed on each man on the WSGA's hit list?

  $50 bounty.
• What happened at the KC Ranch during the invasion?

  Nick Ray and Nate Champion held up the gunmen in a lengthy fight.
• What was the outcome for Nate Champion during the fight at the KC Ranch?

  He was killed.
• Who helped Sheriff Angus during the conflict?

  A force of 40 men and 300 sympathetic homesteaders and ranchers.
• What was the role of the US cavalry during the Johnson County War?

  They rescued the gunmen but also arrested them for starting the range war.
• What was the outcome of the trial for the gunmen and the WSGA?

  It was a sham, and they got away with murder.
• How did the WSGA manage to avoid justice after the trial?

  They hired the best lawyers and argued for an unfair trial.
• What was the financial strategy used by the WSGA during the trial?

  They used a $100,000 fund to hire lawyers and prolong the trial.
• What was a common outcome of conflicts between homesteaders and cattlemen?

  Justice was often not served.
• What does the Johnson County War illustrate about the power dynamics of the time?

  It shows how wealth and power influenced justice.
• What were the main causes of the Johnson County War?

  • Rivalry between ranchers and homesteaders
  • Ranchers' need for large public grazing lands
  • Accusations of cattle rustling against homesteaders
  • Murders of Jim Averill and Ella Watson
• What were the key events during the Johnson County War?

  1. Formation of a small ranchers' association
  2. Invasion by the WSGA with hired gunmen
  3. Fight at the KC Ranch
  4. Arrest of the gunmen by the US cavalry
  5. Sham trial resulting in no justice served
• What were the implications of the Johnson County War for future conflicts?

  • Highlighted the tensions between ranchers and homesteaders
  • Demonstrated the influence of wealth on justice
  • Showed the potential for violence in land disputes