In the Shadow of Billy the Kid: Susan McSween and the Lincoln County War

by Kathleen P. Chamberlain

The events of July 19, 1878, marked the beginning of what became known as the Lincoln County War and catapulted Susan McSween and a young cowboy named Henry McCarty, alias Billy the Kid, into the history books. The so-called war, a fight for control of the mercantile economy of southeastern New Mexico, is one of the most documented conflicts in the history of the American West, but it is an event that up to now has been interpreted through the eyes of men. As a woman in a man's story, Susan McSween has been all but ignored. This is the first book to place her in a larger context. Clearly, the Lincoln County War was not her finest hour, just her best known. For decades afterward, she ran a successful cattle ranch. She watched New Mexico modernize and become a state. And she lived to tell the tales of the anarchistic territorial period many times.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

312 pages, Paperback

First published December 19, 2012

Reviews

[Jane Botkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! As a historian and author, I applaud Kathleen Chamberlain's thorough research and engaging narrative. My preconceived notions of Susan McSween were dashed to pieces, (though pleasantly), and my understanding of the Lincoln County War deepened. I had thought to research McSween myself, but Chamberlain leaves no stone unturned. Bravo!

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the Shadow of Billy the Kid is more than just another retelling of the life of William H. Bonney; it is a meticulously researched and emotionally resonant exploration of the people who shaped, and were shaped by, the myth of the infamous outlaw. The author succeeds in peeling back the layers of sensationalism to reveal the gritty, complex humanity that lay beneath the historical façade. My personal visit to White Oaks, the Three Rivers area, and the New Mexico State historical marker detailing the story of Susan McSween Barber, was what actually prompted me to read this book.

The true standout of this narrative is the powerful, nuanced portrayal of Susan Barber. Far from being a mere footnote in the Kid’s violent saga, Barber emerges as a figure of formidable strength and remarkable capability. The book masterfully contextualizes her struggles, highlighting the extraordinary resourcefulness required for a woman to survive, let alone thrive, in the unforgiving landscape of the late 19th-century American West. Barber’s story is a testament to untapped potential. The author strongly implies—and the evidence presented supports the conclusion—that Susan Barber was an individual of immense business acumen and iron will. Had she been born in a modern era, unconstrained by the systemic limitations placed upon women of her time, there is little doubt she would have been the successful owner and CEO of a multi-million dollar corporation. Her ability to navigate political intrigue, manage complex financial dealings, and make decisive choices in life-or-death situations speaks volumes about a genius tragically confined by circumstance.

This book is an essential read not only for enthusiasts of Old West history but for anyone interested in how the stories we tell often eclipse the greater truths of the people who lived them. It is a compelling, necessary addition to the Billy the Kid bibliography, offering fresh perspectives and, most importantly, giving a vital historical figure like Susan Barber the recognition she has long deserved.

[Robyn Kiser · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent book. Very well researched. After reading several books regarding the Lincoln County war I became very intrigued with Susan McSween. Unfortunately after reading this and getting a closer look, I’m not a fan of hers any longer. At least now I’ve got a better understanding.

[Susan Krafcheck · Rating 4 out of 5]

1878 Lincoln, NM little area that no one is aware of, a stop in the road, but full of history. This book was the woman's side of the regulators, and the war of mercantile control, marking the events of the McSween, Tunstall families, and Billy the Kid. After losing not 1 but 2 husbands, Susan wheels and deals her way through many business deals, eventually landing herself as one of the most successful cattle ranchers in the southwest. Towards the end of her life she watched New Mexico become modernized. Horse and buggy became automobiles, and Native Americans were placed on reservations. She survived 2 fires, death and success.