Description
The collection consists of primary and
secondary source material on the Johnson County War of 1892, focusing on and around
the town of Buffalo, Wyoming. It includes manuscripts related to the Johnson County invasion,
alleged cattle rustling, the death of George Wellman and case against Thomas
Hathaway, the 1892 fire at Fort McKinney, and various financial and social issues
facing Johnson County in the 1890s. The original material includes correspondence,
legal papers, Pinkerton’s National Detective Agency reports, newspaper clippings,
and some photographs. The secondary material consists of essays, articles, and
ephemera relating to Wyoming history.
Background
The Johnson County War, also known as the Wyoming Range War, centered on Johnson,
Natrona, and Converse Counties, Wyoming, in April and May 1892. The dispute was the
result of tensions between the interests of big cattlemen and small ranchers, many
of whom were accused of being cattle rustlers. Most of the counties’ largest cattle
outfits, and most prominent and wealthiest individuals, belonged to the Wyoming
Stock Growers Association (WSGA).
Restrictions
The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material,
nor does it charge fees for such activities.
The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining necessary permissions rests with the
researcher.
Availability
Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department. For more information, contact Reader
Services.