by Don Bullis, New Mexico Author DonBullis.biz
Gunfight Near Tucumcari
S
ome historians of America’s frontier west in the years of great expansion following the Civil War in 1865, argue about when the “Wild West” closed. Some assert that it ended when barbed wire was introduced to the open ranges and effectively prevented the free movement of men and cattle. Others argue that the arrival of railroads obviated the need for cattle drives, and thus ended the era. Still others argue that the untamed west continued until the turn of the century in 1901; the following news item from the Alamogordo News, dated June 28, 1902, seems to argue against that position. Fierce Battle Near Tucumcari “The story flashed over the wires Friday night of the battle near Tucumcari in which Bud Lee killed five of eight cow-punchers who were laying for him in ambush has been partly confirmed by later reports from the thinly settled district near the staked plains. The Amarillo Champion is a new publication on the border gives the following version of the battle. “About four weeks ago when we wrote up the Tucumcari killings, we stated that we expected to publish news from Tucumcari that would that would put that affair in the shade. One day last week, Sam Gholson, now located about twenty miles from Tucumcari, but formerly of Lubbock County, became aware that he was being stalked by a band of men who had left their horses in a canyon and hid themselves at a water hole where Mr. Gholson was going to pull out some snagged cattle. Mr. Gholson called to one of his men named Bud Lee who took a winchester [sic] and rode between the would-be assassins and their horses and Mr. Gholson got to the top of a hill six or seven hundred yard away from the water hole and with a long-range rifle he commenced to pump lead into the men who were in plain sight. Mr. Gholson is a splendid shot and so he killed five of the men outright and wounded five of the others, two of which have died since the battle, so the Champion is informed. The battle raged for nearly two
hours before the wounded men surren- shanghaied Gholson, the latter took great dered…. Two wounded men have been taken umbrage, and swore vengeance after the to jail and the dead men buried. Neither Lee war. Soon after he returned to Kaufman less or Gholson were wounded but Lee had a close than two years later, he killed the two call as the horn was shot off his saddle as he recruiters, and made known his enmity for rode to cut the men off from their horses. The John Spikes. battle is a continuation of a feud of three The Gholson and Spikes ranches were in months ago when two men were killed in close proximity, but an uneasy truce seems eastern New Mexico. We hope to give further to have kept the peace between the two particulars next week. It is claimed that this men for something more than a decade. battle virtually wipes out an organized band About 1880, Sam moved his ranching operof cattle rustlers whose depredations ation west to Crosby County, near Lubbock, extended throughout the whole of eastern Texas. For some reason, not known to many, New Mexico and southern Colorado.” soon after that, John Spikes moved his Protracted efforts to find any follow-up ranching operation to the same county. In to this stirring tale have been consistently 1893, the Spikes clan moved on to New unsuccessful. Even so, quite a bit is known Mexico at a spot south of Tucumcari, near about Sam Gholson (c. 1840-1926), and the Redondo Mesa. This time Sam followed and so-called Spikes-Gholson feud. took up ranching, also near the Briefly, it started late in the Civil War era, same landmark. in east Texas, in the town of Kaufman, when Two other factors entered the picture: Sam was impressed into the service of the the huge Texas ranch, the XIT, grazed cattle Texas Confederate Army, very much against immediately east of the New Mexico terrihis will. He was not even allowed to deliver torial line; and an outlaw gang, called the supplies to his ranch before he was shipped Mesa Hawks, led by Henry Hawkins operoff to Houston. The “recruiting squad” that ated in the area and preyed upon just about enlisted Sam against his wishes was under everyone in all manner of thievery. the command of one John Wesley Spikes. Sam developed the notion that his cattle, While there is little to show that Spikes, per- and those belonging to his XIT neighbors, sonally, even knew that his men had were being stolen on a regular basis, and
animal ANIMAL & & range RANGE sS CC iI eE nN CC eE sS The TheDepartment DepartmentofofAnimal Animal&&Range RangeSciences Sciencesisispart partofofthe the College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental College of Agricultural, Consumer & EnvironmentalSciences Sciences
Four on-campus animal facilities house: beeF CaTTle/horses/swine/sheep Students can major in Animal or Rangeland Resources and are provided with the very best of “hands on” academic instruction by our faculty. Fully equipped labs allow students access to cutting-edge research in: LIVESTOCK NUTRITION / GENETICS / PHYSIOLOGY / ENDOCRINOLOGY / MEAT SCIENCE / WOOL / TOXICOLOGY / WATERSHED & RANGELAND ECOLOGY / WEED & BRUSH CONTROL / PLANT SYSTEMATICS / GRAZING MANAGEMENT
The Department also offers pre-veterinary studies – our graduates have a high acceptance rate into veterinary medicine programs. We offer graduate degrees at the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy levels. The M.S. or Ph.D. in Animal Science can emphasize nutrition or physiology, and offers a Ph.D. in Range Science to study range management, range ecology and watershed management.
THE DEPARTMENT ALSO OPERATES
NEW MEXICO’S OLD TIMES & OLD TIMERS
• The Chihuahuan Desert Rangeland Research Center (The College Ranch) – 64,000 acre ranch just outside of Las Cruces • The Corona Range & Livestock Research Center – 28,000 acre ranch & facilities in Corona, NM • Student organizations, including a Block & Bridle Club, Pre-Vet Club, Range Club, Horsemen’s Association, Therapeutic Riding Club, & Judging Teams • Clayton Research Center hosts research on shipping protocols, particularly evaluating the health and performance of newly received cattle, and nutrition and management from feedlot to slaughter
Dr. John Campbell hallford––575-646-6180 575-646-2515 Dr. Shanna Ivey––575/646-6180 575-646-2515 /• Dr. Dr. Dennis John Campbell http://aces.nmsu.edu/academics/anrs/ http://aces.nmsu.edu/academics/anrs
AUGUST 2021
51
