Johnson County War

• In what year did the population of U.S. citizens in the Wyoming territory reach 9,000?

  1870
• Who owned almost all the land in the Wyoming territory in the late 1860s?

  The government
• Which railroad crossed the south of Wyoming in the late 1860s?

  The Union Pacific Railroad
• What type of businesses developed in Wyoming throughout the 1870s?

  Massive cattle ranches
• Who financed the cattle ranches in Wyoming?

  Rich investors, many of whom were British
• What positions were appointed to Castleman and others in the Wyoming territory as the population increased?

  Key positions in government and the judiciary
• What significant event occurred in 1892 related to the Johnson County War?


  The Johnson County War itself
• What harsh conditions affected cattle herds during the winter of 1886 into 1887?

  Terrible losses to the herds
• How did the harsh winter of 1886-1887 affect the influence of big cattlemen?

  It weakened their influence and power
• What did small ranchers believe about the big ranchers after the harsh winter?

  That they had stolen many of their cows
• What association did big ranchers use to ban small ranchers suspected of rustling?

  The Wyoming Stock Growers Association (WSGA)
• How did ordinary people respond to the actions of big ranchers regarding rustling accusations?

  They almost never convicted anyone accused by big ranchers
• What was Jim Averill's response to the big ranchers in his letter to the newspaper?

  He called them rich land grabbers
• What event in 1889 escalated tensions between small ranchers and big ranchers?

  The lynching of small ranchers Jim Averill and Ella Watson
• What did Ella Watson obtain in 1889 that led to further conflict?

  A small herd of cattle
• What happened to Jim Averill and Ella Watson after Bothwell accused Ella of rustling?

  They were seized and lynched
• What was the outcome for Bothwell after the lynching of Averill and Watson?

  He took over their land and cattle
• What did homesteaders and small ranchers decide to do in 1892?

  Establish their own association and hold their own roundup
• What was the purpose of the small ranchers' roundup held a month before the WSGA's?

  To claim all the unbranded new calves for themselves
• What inspired the WSGA to take action against small ranchers?

  A vigilante campaign called the Stuart Stranglers
• What was the WSGA's plan for dealing with suspected rustlers in Johnson County?

  A full-scale invasion to kill 70 men
• How much money did the WSGA raise for their plan?

  One hundred thousand dollars
• What happened when the invaders learned that Nate Champion and Nick Ray were at KC Ranch?

  They abandoned their original plan and attacked the ranch
• How much were the Texan gunmen paid per day?

  Five dollars a day plus expenses
• What was Nate Champion's fate during the attack on the ranch?

  He was shot down after holding them off
• Who raised a force to go after the invaders after learning about the attack?

  Sheriff Angus of Johnson County
• What was the outcome for the invaders when they fortified themselves at T.A. Ranch?

  They could only leave when the U.S. Sixth Cavalry arrived
• What did the citizens of Buffalo join the sheriff's force to do?

  To fight for their home and property
• What is the term used for armed conflict between factions for control of land in the American West?

  Range war
• What advantage did the invaders have during the trial following the Johnson County War?

  Powerful friends in government
• What is the best-known range war in American history?

  The Johnson County War
• What strategy did the WSGA lawyers use to win the trial?

  They extended the trial until the prosecution ran out of money
• Why was the trial moved from Johnson County to Cheyenne?

  To ensure a more favorable jury for the rich ranchers
• What was one significant outcome of the Johnson County War?

  It showed that vigilante justice was still used in the 19th century
• How did farmers' actions in the 1890s affect tensions in Wyoming?

  Fencing off their land calmed tensions
• What were the key events leading up to the Johnson County War?

  • Harsh winter of 1886-1887 weakened big ranchers
  • Small ranchers accused big ranchers of rustling
  • Lynching of Jim Averill and Ella Watson in 1889
  • Formation of small ranchers' association in 1892
  • Full-scale invasion planned by WSGA
• What were the consequences of the Johnson County War for ranchers and the legal system?

  • Vigilante justice continued to be a solution
  • Trial moved to Cheyenne for favorable jury
  • Prosecution ran out of money, charges dropped
  • Highlighted power dynamics between rich ranchers and small ranchers