Book SummaryRide the Devil's Herd, by John Boessenecker

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of Ride the Devil's Herd

The narrative details the emergence, clandestine activities, and ultimate collapse of a group known infamously as the Cowboys, who were active in the southwestern region of the United States.

John Kinney was the founder of the group that came to be recognized as the Boys in New Mexico.

The Boys initiated their initial ventures, resembling activities of a "chain gang."

Boessenecker posits that the faction referred to as the Cowboys was born out of unlawful endeavors that began with John Kinney, who previously served as a sergeant in the United States military. After being discharged from military service in New Mexico in 1873, he swiftly cast aside his disciplined military demeanor and formed a notorious gang known as "the Boys," infamous for their rustling operations. The vast expanse of the area, along with its sparse population and insufficient law enforcement, created a perfect setting for these unlawful activities. The group's first act of violence began with a vicious event at a dance hall in Las Cruces in 1876, setting the stage for their escalating brutality throughout Arizona. The author highlights how the Boys embarked on their criminal endeavors through daring murders, taking advantage of the area's weak legal supervision. In August 1875, Jesse Evans and several members of the Boys chased down a group of horse thieves from Mexico and subsequently handed them over for official legal proceedings in El Paso. The captives were led to a remote homestead in the north where they met their end, having been taken there by the Boys.

Furthermore, the collective referred to as the Boys played a crucial role in an extensive network of criminal activities, which Boessenecker characterizes as a tightly-linked group of outlaws, rather than just isolated lawbreakers. The group's loosely structured organization enabled the transportation, trade, and validation of illicitly acquired livestock throughout Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. Newman H. "Old Man" Clanton played a crucial role in Arizona's network, where he obtained stolen livestock from Kinney's group and supplied them to a range of unscrupulous ranchers and fraudulent butchers. The writer argues that the well-organized activities of cattle rustling not only unsettled the intricate equilibrium between legality and community in the Southwest but also inflicted significant damage on the lawful cattle trade.

Context

• John Kinney's military background likely provided him with leadership skills and tactical knowledge, which he could have used to organize and lead his gang effectively.
• During this period, law enforcement was often underfunded and understaffed, making it challenging to combat organized crime effectively. This allowed gangs to exploit weaknesses in the legal system.
• The legal infrastructure in the Southwest was still developing during this period. Courts were often far apart, and the legal process could be slow and inefficient, which allowed criminal activities to flourish with minimal immediate consequences.
• The activities of gangs like the Boys had a profound impact on local communities, often leading to increased violence and instability. This environment of lawlessness contributed to the mythos of the "Wild West."
• Figures like Newman H. "Old Man" Clanton were pivotal in these networks, often acting as intermediaries who facilitated the movement and sale of stolen goods, thereby integrating criminal activities into the broader economy.
• The illegal cattle trade disrupted the legitimate cattle industry, affecting prices and the livelihoods of honest ranchers. It also contributed to tensions between settlers and law enforcement, as well as between different factions within the cattle industry.
• Corruption among local officials and law enforcement sometimes allowed rustling to continue unchecked, as some were bribed or intimidated into ignoring illegal activities.

During this era, individuals like Bob Martin and Curly Bill Brocius rose to prominence.

John Kinney was the original founder of the group known as "Boys." Boessenecker highlights the evolving hierarchy of the gang, underscoring the ascent of members like Robert "Dutch" Martin and the increasing prominence of William "Curly Bill" Brocius. Martin, an astute criminal from Texas, orchestrated grand thefts of livestock and was notably involved in the 1876 Cooke's Canyon incident, during which he and his accomplices stripped the well-known livestock magnate John Chisum of his assets. Martin also established connections with other notorious characters, illustrating the tight-knit community of renegades throughout the Southwest. For instance, Nicanor Rodriguez, a notorious stagecoach robber who had escaped from San Quentin Prison in California, teamed up with one of Martin's associates for another heist and subsequently traveled to New Mexico after their illicit endeavor in Cooke's Canyon. Martin's rise to infamy underscores the increasing boldness and tactical approaches of his band, which escalated the threat to pioneers and the prevailing economic structure.

Brocius began his criminal endeavors as a bold young gunman, aligning himself with the gang led by John Kinney, which was involved in disputes surrounding salt deposits near El Paso. His reputation for impulsive actions grew when he participated in a brutal assault on a US military medical transport in 1878, leading to his arrest and eventual imprisonment in El Paso. He encountered significant consequences after fleeing to Arizona with Bob Martin. Brocius, whose life and true surname remain largely a mystery, would eventually gain notoriety as a particularly notorious individual within the group known as the Cowboys.

Context

• Cooke's Canyon is located in present-day New Mexico and was a notorious site for ambushes and robberies during the late 19th century, often targeted by outlaws due to its strategic position on travel routes.
• John Chisum was a...

Ride the Devil's Herd Summary The Earp siblings strove to maintain law and order while confronting the outlaw group known as the Cowboys.

The Earps' unsavory past and their search for redemption in Tombstone

Prior to embarking on their criminal endeavors, they had pursued various occupations including gambling, managing drinking establishments, and maintaining law and order in the central regions of America.

Boessenecker delves into the saga of the Earp siblings, uncovering that their infamous actions were simply the final chapter in a series of diverse and often dishonorable life events. Hailing from a lineage of intrepid pioneers, they journeyed toward the west, seeking fortune and opportunities in the wild regions adjacent to the American frontier's edge. From their early years, each brother consistently exhibited not only a clear indifference to legal boundaries but also an innate inclination towards combativeness. In 1870, while serving as the constable of Lamar, Missouri, Wyatt fled to the Indian Territory to avoid allegations of embezzling funds. Jim's brother narrowly escaped capture following his involvement in a deadly altercation at a Utah saloon, which resulted in a law enforcement posse pursuing him. In Council Bluffs, Iowa, Virgil became entangled in a conflict with a sex worker, which led...

Ride the Devil's Herd Summary The growing animosity between the Earp faction and the Cowboy gang led to an infamous clash at the O.K. Corral.

Initial encounters and escalating tensions

The military mules seized by the Cowboys were pursued by the Earp brothers.

Boessenecker examines the initial conflicts and growing strife between the Earps and the Cowboys. Shortly after Wyatt and Virgil commenced their law enforcement careers in Tombstone, Pony Diehl and his band of Cowboys were involved in the theft of half a dozen mules belonging to the U.S. Army from Camp Rucker. Joseph Hurst, a lieutenant, sought Virgil's help, and along with Wyatt, they tracked the mules to land owned by the McLaury family. Despite Frank McLaury's denials of involvement, the Earps' suspicions of his complicity persisted, especially since the stolen livestock had been discovered on his property. The trio of officers, after obtaining a commitment from Frank Patterson, who was connected to the McLaury family and associated with the Cowboy group, resumed their journey to Tombstone tasked with the recovery of the cattle. The growing hostilities between the Earps' faction and the outlaw Cowboys began with the noticeable disappearance of the mules.

Context

• In the Old West, mules were essential for transportation and labor,...

Ride the Devil's Herd Summary At this period, lawlessness and unchecked criminal activities were rampant in the American Southwest.

The pervasive smuggling and theft of animals across international borders.

Unscrupulous entrepreneurs and ranchers played a role in enabling the activities of criminals.

Boessenecker emphasizes that the Cowboys represent a more widespread problem plaguing the Southwest, one that goes beyond their notoriety as simple rustlers and killers. Political corruption, along with the unethical practices of ranch owners, storekeepers, and law enforcement, fostered an environment in which bandits could thrive for an extended period. Their unlawful operations undermined the genuine livestock market, eroded trust in law enforcement, and carried the potential to ignite a series of international disputes between the United States and Mexico. Despite numerous formal objections, authorities in Arizona and New Mexico were largely unsuccessful in halting the cross-border incursions.

Other Perspectives

• The term "unscrupulous" is subjective, and without specific evidence, it may be unfair to label entrepreneurs and ranchers as such; some may have been operating within the legal and moral standards of their time.
• The focus on the Cowboys as a representation of a widespread...