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Wyoming Range War: The Infamous Invasion of Johnson County
Wyoming attorney John W. Davis retells the story of the West’s most notorious range war. Having delved more deeply than previous writers into land and census records, newspapers, and trial transcripts, Davis has produced an all-new interpretation. He looks at the conflict from the perspective of Johnson County residents—those whose home territory was invaded and many of whom the invaders targeted for murder—and finds that, contrary to the received explanation, these people were not thieves and rustlers but legitimate citizens. The broad outlines of the conflict are some of Wyoming’s biggest cattlemen, under the guise of eliminating livestock rustling on the open range, hire two-dozen Texas cowboys and, with range detectives and prominent members of the Wyoming Stock Growers Association, “invade” north-central Wyoming to clean out rustlers and other undesirables. While the invaders kill two suspected rustlers, citizens mobilize and eventually turn the tables, surrounding the intruders at a ranch where they intend to capture them by force. An appeal for help convinces President Benjamin Harrison to call out the army from nearby Fort McKinley, and after an all-night ride the soldiers arrive just in time to stave off the invaders’ annihilation. Though taken prisoner, they later avoid prosecution. The cattle barons’ powers of persuasion in justifying their deeds have colored accounts of the war for more than a century. Wyoming Range War tells a compelling story that redraws the lines between heroes and villains.
384 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 2010
34 people are currently reading
154 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
April 10, 2013
Wyoming Range War: The Infamous Invasion of Johnson County by John W. Davis...another tale of self-priveleged rich boys thinking they hold all the cards...and an object lesson in how the press can be manipulated to almost any means...then the lawyers get involved...a shameful era in Wyoming history where vigilante cattle magnates decided the little guys had to go...so why not just kill them...???...and they tried to do just that in a very big way...but the little guys fought back and it took the President of the US to save the invading army's sorry asses...a corrupted governor and senator...money-grubbing lawyers who were so crooked they had to screw their pants on...a shameful tale meticulously researched and written...
July 20, 2020
Three and a half stars - it gets repetitive for my tastes.
What I appreciate most about this book is the first half - the atmosphere in Buffalo/Johnson County, who the people were, and why events unfolded as they did. Newspaper battles are very much a feature in Wyoming's history, but I'm not sure that I'm so interested in such minute detail, multiple times. I will admit that I stopped in the jury selection process in this book, and the inherent unfairness in forcing Johnson County to bear such heavy costs of the trial. Will go back if I need that information at a later date.
The research is great (a lot of work obviously went into it)- and as the back cover says - it is pretty much the definitive book on the invasion.
What I appreciate most about this book is the first half - the atmosphere in Buffalo/Johnson County, who the people were, and why events unfolded as they did. Newspaper battles are very much a feature in Wyoming's history, but I'm not sure that I'm so interested in such minute detail, multiple times. I will admit that I stopped in the jury selection process in this book, and the inherent unfairness in forcing Johnson County to bear such heavy costs of the trial. Will go back if I need that information at a later date.
The research is great (a lot of work obviously went into it)- and as the back cover says - it is pretty much the definitive book on the invasion.
July 3, 2022
Davis's book is probably the most complete in coverage of the Johnson County War. He goes out of his way to give you backgrounds on all the players. If the general public knew the details of this highly propagandized, illegal attack on small ranchers by the wealthy, the truth would appall them. This is history at its best by the writer...and at its worst in terms of who we Americans really are. If you have never heard the name "Nate Champion," you ought to read his story, which is part of this book. He is one of America's true heroes.
September 19, 2025
This book was incredible, pertinent, and terrifying. It’s an appropriate peek into human behavior when money interests, presumptions, frustration with the legal system, and a biased news media all coalesce to justify dark deeds.
If you’ve ever read The Virginian (a work of fiction published in 1904) and enjoyed it like I did, you might be surprised to learn that its author was a big fan of cattle barons who felt completely justified in extra-judicial killings when it proved to be difficult to prosecute people who they thought were thieves. In fact, Owen Wister was apparently an intimate associate of Frank Wolcott, a terrible player in the whole fiasco.
In the case of the real-life Johnson County War however, it was the ‘ordinary citizens’ of an entire town who were forced to pick up guns to confront a kill squad of over 50 men making their way down a list made up of over 70 of their neighbors, including law enforcement officials and community leaders.
Ironically, it seemed virtually everyone who was actually killed between 1891 and 1892 were later completely exonerated from any sort of thievery.
Factions can be terrible. In ancient Rome, it was the Blues and the Greens. In America, it’s Liberals and Conservatives, who each seem to have their own media outlets feeding adherents with righteous indignation. I’ve heard members of my own church aligning with either political party express how adherents to any other party must be inauthentic followers of Christ! It seems to be the way humans are, and this book shows how mistaken and dangerous things can get.
If you’ve ever read The Virginian (a work of fiction published in 1904) and enjoyed it like I did, you might be surprised to learn that its author was a big fan of cattle barons who felt completely justified in extra-judicial killings when it proved to be difficult to prosecute people who they thought were thieves. In fact, Owen Wister was apparently an intimate associate of Frank Wolcott, a terrible player in the whole fiasco.
”At present we lie beyond its pale. The courts, or rather the juries, into whose hands we have put the law, are not dealing the law. They are withered hands, or rather they are imitation hands made for show, with no life in them, no grip. They cannot hold a cattle-thief. And so when your ordinary citizen sees this, and sees that he has placed justice in a dead hand, he must take justice back into his own hands where it was once at the beginning of all things.”-Judge Henry The Virginian
In the case of the real-life Johnson County War however, it was the ‘ordinary citizens’ of an entire town who were forced to pick up guns to confront a kill squad of over 50 men making their way down a list made up of over 70 of their neighbors, including law enforcement officials and community leaders.
”Instead of fairly addressing the issue, the [Wyoming Live Stock] Commission just packaged together all the people who disagreed with it as “the rustling element” and called all of them a pack of thieves. It is an old device (lawyers refer to it as ad hominem argument) and was used frequently by the cattle interests.”
Ironically, it seemed virtually everyone who was actually killed between 1891 and 1892 were later completely exonerated from any sort of thievery.
Factions can be terrible. In ancient Rome, it was the Blues and the Greens. In America, it’s Liberals and Conservatives, who each seem to have their own media outlets feeding adherents with righteous indignation. I’ve heard members of my own church aligning with either political party express how adherents to any other party must be inauthentic followers of Christ! It seems to be the way humans are, and this book shows how mistaken and dangerous things can get.
October 20, 2024
Honestly it’s just so slow
September 15, 2020
Fascinating read about a little known historical subject: the range war in Wyoming in 1892. Big ranchers versus small farmers. The story is filled with bad blood, lies in the newspapers and political shenanigans. Reading got a little tedious at times but the event itself was incredible.
March 1, 2023
The librarian placed the "Wyoming Range War: The Infamous Invasion of Johnson County" by John W. Davis on the table with a stack of other books when I requested to learn more about the early history of the Big Horn Basin. I can't imagine a soul living in Wyoming has yet to hear of the well-known Johnson County War, but how many know the story's details? I was surprised by how many points I had missed.
I listened to the "Wyoming Range War" through Audible. The audiobook required a bit of effort, given the book's level of detail. It isn't storytime with a picture book at the library; the book lists names, lots of names, dates, places, etc. While walking my dog, I tried to focus, but it became overwhelming in places. Having the book in hand would have been helpful.
"Wyoming Range War" exposed the level of corruption in Wyoming during the early 1890s, from the press and law enforcement to lawmakers and even the Governor and President of the United States. To say I was shocked by the level of corruption would be an understatement.
John W. Davis made his points using facts and primary resources and even answered my follow-up questions during a phone call.
I listened to the "Wyoming Range War" through Audible. The audiobook required a bit of effort, given the book's level of detail. It isn't storytime with a picture book at the library; the book lists names, lots of names, dates, places, etc. While walking my dog, I tried to focus, but it became overwhelming in places. Having the book in hand would have been helpful.
"Wyoming Range War" exposed the level of corruption in Wyoming during the early 1890s, from the press and law enforcement to lawmakers and even the Governor and President of the United States. To say I was shocked by the level of corruption would be an understatement.
John W. Davis made his points using facts and primary resources and even answered my follow-up questions during a phone call.
January 17, 2023
Recommend the reviews here by Warren and Dekker. Read in parallel with 'The History of the Lincoln County War' and 'When Law Was in the Holster' - the West, especially the politics (read 'control, corruption and only the greedy get the graft) was often brutal and unjust. A gentle reminder for this present day reader of the frequent 'sins' of some of corporate America (Delta, GM, Merrill, etc) and that too often the press is and has been a disgrace. Great job by Davis and the University of Oklahoma Press, of which I remain an unrepentant and avid fan.
February 13, 2018
Kept my interest throughout. Wyomingites haven’t changed much since the 1800s and this book captures their spirit and character very well while also painting a vivid picture of how this part of the West was tamed (somewhat) over time, for better or worse, through a regional and mobile system of courts, deputies, business development, and citizen activism.
November 4, 2023
Listened to the audiobook on the long drive back home after spending a couple months in Johnson County, though not a regular non-fiction reader at all. I worried the audiobook narrator was an AI for the first few chapters, but got more and more into it as the hours went on, was sad to see it end. Felt like a novel's pacing, laughed some, and learned a lot.
July 10, 2019
Incredible story telling of the real west; the cattle rustling, horse theft or not. Big business precluding small start ups, corruption, obstruction of justice and yes a community fighting for its rights; and of course a couple real heroes. Long live Nate!!!
April 17, 2024
This book covers all of the relecant information on the range war. It corrects some of the folklore established as propaganda from both sides of the conflict. Very useful history. I really enjoyed it.
February 4, 2020
Great book, and surprisingly relevant.
May 24, 2024
Most definitely the definitive history of The Invasion. Painstakingly researched and an enjoyable read. Long live Nate Champion!!
December 2, 2021
Well written, narrative advances smoothly.
Not a hard read suitable to someone not familiar with the events.
Strongly supports residents of Johnson county.
Not a hard read suitable to someone not familiar with the events.
Strongly supports residents of Johnson county.
May 22, 2014
Been reading up on the Johnson County Invasion of 1892. In "Freedom Around the Corner," a survey history of America from 1585-1828, historian Walter McDougall addresses the American gift for hustling, a trait shared by those who hustle in the sense of working hard, for themselves, their families, and in shared community endeavors, and those who hustle others, deceitfully, fraudulently, and aggressively for their own gain. The latter, in unsavory, illegal, even unconstitutional form, was practiced by 1880s-1890s Wyoming capitalist ranchers, Social Darwinists who felt they deserved it all, against the smaller settlers in Johnson and nearby counties.
John W. Davis, Wyoming Range War (Univ. of Oklahoma Press), establishes that Johnson County was never a rustler haven Its rich land was a magnet for small ranchers who were stymied by the big cattlemen in their every legitimate attempt to build small herds on homesteaded public land. In reality, the invasion by Wyoming’s biggest cattlemen and their Texas mercenaries was launched to drive out settlers out of their legal homesteads and to cover up previous assassinations and a botched attempt on Nate Champion and others.
Davis mines overlooked sources to reveal how big cattlemen, egged on by two of their number with Hardin-like sociopathic tendencies, assisted by murderer-turned-lawless lawman Frank Canton, aided by a pocketed state government and paid-for press, aimed to quickly murder 70 settlers and local leaders, intimidating other settlers to clear out. They largely failed in this end, but in their later successful perversion of the courts, did selfishly endanger Wyoming’s reputation and future. The best book on Gilded Age greed gone Wild West.
John W. Davis, Wyoming Range War (Univ. of Oklahoma Press), establishes that Johnson County was never a rustler haven Its rich land was a magnet for small ranchers who were stymied by the big cattlemen in their every legitimate attempt to build small herds on homesteaded public land. In reality, the invasion by Wyoming’s biggest cattlemen and their Texas mercenaries was launched to drive out settlers out of their legal homesteads and to cover up previous assassinations and a botched attempt on Nate Champion and others.
Davis mines overlooked sources to reveal how big cattlemen, egged on by two of their number with Hardin-like sociopathic tendencies, assisted by murderer-turned-lawless lawman Frank Canton, aided by a pocketed state government and paid-for press, aimed to quickly murder 70 settlers and local leaders, intimidating other settlers to clear out. They largely failed in this end, but in their later successful perversion of the courts, did selfishly endanger Wyoming’s reputation and future. The best book on Gilded Age greed gone Wild West.
August 9, 2010
Excellent look into a poignant time in Wyoming's past. If you are interested in the history of the west, you will enjoy this book. There is plenty of wild-west, politics, and law to create turbulence in anyone's mind.
April 2, 2013
This is one of the most fantastical stories I have read about the west and it is all true. I found myself shocked at the corruption and the influence of Big Cattle in 19th century Wyoming, the book is amazing. I especially enjoyed the chapter on "Cattle Kate"
October 1, 2015
This was a very detailed account of the Invasion of Johnson Country. I found it interesting seeing the perspective of how people thought about the law and their rights during that period. It includes a lot of law and background information.
March 28, 2016
A must read for anyone who is interested in Wyoming history or old west history. This event—Johnson County War—takes place within a year of Wyoming's statehood.
The book is well written and well paced.
The book is well written and well paced.
July 19, 2014
great piece of history, but not a great pick for "storytelling". had to adjust my expectations to appreciate this one. Reading it alongside "the ox bow incident" provided interesting context.
June 13, 2015
A great book that focuses on what the people living in Johnson County thought about the events of the Johnson County War in Wyoming.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews