Ab Saunders
by J. Younger
Events & Genealogy
Born: James Albert Saunders
Birthdate: October 14, 1849
Birthplace: Mount Pleasant, Iowa
Marriage:
Children:
Death: February 5, 1883 at San Francisco, California
Cause of death: Gunshot wounds
Burial: Lompoc Evergreen Cemetery, Lompoc, California
The Untold Saga of James Albert Saunders: A Frontier Tale of Loyalty and Loss
Born on October 14, 1849, in the quiet town of Mount Pleasant, Iowa, James Albert Saunders known as Ab, emerged from humble beginnings to become a pivotal figure in one of the American West’s most infamous conflicts. The son of James Withrow Saunders and Catherine Wolgamott, Ab’s early life was shaped by a move to Missouri at age ten, where he pursued a robust education through high school. Yet, the call of the frontier beckoned, and in 1871, Ab set out for New Mexico alongside his sister Ada; her husband Jasper Coe and his brothers Frank and Albert, and their cousin George Coe, who would become Ab’s steadfast companion.
In New Mexico’s rugged Lincoln County, Ab and Frank carved out a livelihood, establishing a ranch where they cultivated crops and raised livestock. Their dreams of prosperity, however, were tested by relentless challenges. The only nearby supplier, a store owned by L.G. Murphy and James Dolan, held a stranglehold on the region, propped up by the corrupt Santa Fe Ring. Exorbitant prices and rampant cattle rustling threatened the Coe family’s’ survival, forcing them to confront the lawlessness head on.
Determined to protect their livelihood, Ab and Frank joined forces with neighbors Charlie Bowdre, Doc Scurlock, and George Coe. In a bold act of frontier justice, they freed rustler Jesus Largo from jail during Sheriff Saturnino Baca’s tenure, delivering swift retribution by hanging him outside town. Days later, the group allegedly tracked down another cattle thief, Nicholas Meras, in Baca Canyon, where he met a fatal end. These acts cemented Ab’s reputation as a man unafraid to stand against injustice.
The arrival of John Tunstall in 1877 ignited a spark of hope in Lincoln County. Partnering with Alex McSween and cattle baron John Chisum, Tunstall opened a rival store, challenging Murphy and Dolan’s monopolistic grip with fair prices and honest dealings. Ab, Frank, and other ranchers rallied behind Tunstall, drawn by the promise of economic freedom. Among Tunstall’s hired hands was a young gunslinger named Billy Bonney, later known as Billy the Kid, who forged a close bond with the Coe brothers and Ab. Yet, the Murphy/Dolan faction, backed by corrupt law enforcement, would stop at nothing to maintain control.
Tragedy struck when Tunstall was brutally murdered, his store seized by his rivals. The murder ignited the Lincoln County War, a bloody feud that engulfed the region. Ab Saunders joined The Regulators, a group of ranchers and gunmen led by Billy the Kid, determined to avenge Tunstall and fight for justice. The conflict descended into chaos, with ambushes and killings claiming lives on both sides.
In April 1878, Ab’s life took a fateful turn. While riding near the Fritz Ranch with Frank Coe and Regulator Frank McNab, they were ambushed by the Seven Rivers Warriors, a ruthless posse hired by Murphy and Dolan under George Peppin’s command. In the chaos, Frank was captured, and McNab was killed. Ab, gravely wounded, was left for dead, mistaken by the Warriors for Billy the Kid himself. Frank’s desperate pleas convinced the attackers to retrieve Ab in a rigged buggy, but his injuries were severe.
Born on October 14, 1849, in the quiet town of Mount Pleasant, Iowa, James Albert Saunders known as Ab, emerged from humble beginnings to become a pivotal figure in one of the American West’s most infamous conflicts. The son of James Withrow Saunders and Catherine Wolgamott, Ab’s early life was shaped by a move to Missouri at age ten, where he pursued a robust education through high school. Yet, the call of the frontier beckoned, and in 1871, Ab set out for New Mexico alongside his sister Ada; her husband Jasper Coe and his brothers Frank and Albert, and their cousin George Coe, who would become Ab’s steadfast companion.
In New Mexico’s rugged Lincoln County, Ab and Frank carved out a livelihood, establishing a ranch where they cultivated crops and raised livestock. Their dreams of prosperity, however, were tested by relentless challenges. The only nearby supplier, a store owned by L.G. Murphy and James Dolan, held a stranglehold on the region, propped up by the corrupt Santa Fe Ring. Exorbitant prices and rampant cattle rustling threatened the Coe family’s’ survival, forcing them to confront the lawlessness head on.
Determined to protect their livelihood, Ab and Frank joined forces with neighbors Charlie Bowdre, Doc Scurlock, and George Coe. In a bold act of frontier justice, they freed rustler Jesus Largo from jail during Sheriff Saturnino Baca’s tenure, delivering swift retribution by hanging him outside town. Days later, the group allegedly tracked down another cattle thief, Nicholas Meras, in Baca Canyon, where he met a fatal end. These acts cemented Ab’s reputation as a man unafraid to stand against injustice.
The arrival of John Tunstall in 1877 ignited a spark of hope in Lincoln County. Partnering with Alex McSween and cattle baron John Chisum, Tunstall opened a rival store, challenging Murphy and Dolan’s monopolistic grip with fair prices and honest dealings. Ab, Frank, and other ranchers rallied behind Tunstall, drawn by the promise of economic freedom. Among Tunstall’s hired hands was a young gunslinger named Billy Bonney, later known as Billy the Kid, who forged a close bond with the Coe brothers and Ab. Yet, the Murphy/Dolan faction, backed by corrupt law enforcement, would stop at nothing to maintain control.
Tragedy struck when Tunstall was brutally murdered, his store seized by his rivals. The murder ignited the Lincoln County War, a bloody feud that engulfed the region. Ab Saunders joined The Regulators, a group of ranchers and gunmen led by Billy the Kid, determined to avenge Tunstall and fight for justice. The conflict descended into chaos, with ambushes and killings claiming lives on both sides.
In April 1878, Ab’s life took a fateful turn. While riding near the Fritz Ranch with Frank Coe and Regulator Frank McNab, they were ambushed by the Seven Rivers Warriors, a ruthless posse hired by Murphy and Dolan under George Peppin’s command. In the chaos, Frank was captured, and McNab was killed. Ab, gravely wounded, was left for dead, mistaken by the Warriors for Billy the Kid himself. Frank’s desperate pleas convinced the attackers to retrieve Ab in a rigged buggy, but his injuries were severe.
“I was riding a race pony and a good saddle animal, I told the others that we had better whip up a little bit but my race pony being a much better saddle animal I had distanced them about a hundred yards when we got near the Fritz ranch. What we didn’t know was there were about 20 men lying in ambush, the rest were inside the Fritz house which was about a half a mile down river. I was so far ahead that they let me pass. Sanders and McNab came riding up after I had passed and they had open fire upon them and they reached a point about a hundred yards from the house. Mcnab’s horse began bucking and threw him off, he ran for a mile up the canyon. The Seven Rivers gang ran around the point of the hill that McNab rounded and chased him this distance before they killed him. Saunders’ horse was killed and he ran over a little Knoll and was followed up and shot through The hip which disabled him and he was captured..when I heard the shooting I tore out on down the canyon. I crowded back next to the mountains on the north side of the valley and made for a hill. Several of them began shooting at me. Someone shot from the fritz house and killed My horse a bullet hit her right in the back of the head, she stumbled along for about 30 feet and fell I went over head and jumped up, she had fallen on my Winchester I shot left-handed and carried my Winchester on that side I tried to pull it out but could not.
Frank Coe
George Coe also recalls that day…
Ab Saunders had been wounded in the hip, the shot tore the knucklebone all the pieces. He spent more than a month in the hospital, and when he had improved sufficiently to operate a wheelchair, he was moved to Uncle Ike Elllis's place in Lincoln. The physician's told him, however, that he would only have a few more months to live.
Ab became homesick for his parents in Santa Barbara, California and although he had a good holdings he had no ready money. Uncle Ike offered to take him up to the railroad at El Paso if we boys would chip in and help him out. Everybody loved Ab and when I told the boys that he needed a little help, we made a jackpot in less than 30 minutes and arranged everything for his departure. Uncle Ike drove him to El Paso, where he put him on the train from Santa Barbara. Ab reached home in time to visit with his family before he passed on to the last round up.”
In retaliation for McNab’s death and Ab’s near fatal wounding, The Regulators hunted down and killed Manuel Seguria. After his release from Fort Stanton, Ab sought refuge at the Ellis house, grappling with the physical and emotional toll of the war. His journey took him to El Paso by wagon driven by Isaac Ellis and to Colorado by train and finally to San Francisco, where he hoped surgery would mend his wounds. Tragically, complications during the procedure claimed his life on February 5, 1883. Ab Saunders, a man who stood tall against corruption and fought for a freer frontier, now rests at Lompoc Evergreen Cemetery in Santa Barbara County, California.
His story, woven into the fabric of the Lincoln County War, remains a testament to the courage and sacrifice of those who dared to challenge the lawless West.
His story, woven into the fabric of the Lincoln County War, remains a testament to the courage and sacrifice of those who dared to challenge the lawless West.
Census
Liberty Township, Iowa 1850
Scotland Missouri 1860
Prairie Township, Missouri 1870
Santa Barbara California 1880
Gallery
For the full story of The Ambush at The Fritz Ranch and the events that unfolded the next day, follow the trail below!
https://palsofbillythekidhistoricalsociety.com/frank-mcnab/
For more on The Coe family, follow the trail below!
https://palsofbillythekidhistoricalsociety.com/the-coes/
Credits:
1. Family Search
2. Library of Congres
3. Palace of the Governors
4. Frontier Fighter by George Coe
5. Ranch on the Ruidoso by Wilbur Coe
6. The Lincoln County War by Fredrick Nolan
