Uncovering the Legacy of George Peppin: The Mastermind Behind Lincoln, New Mexico’s Transformation
by J. Young
Born in October 1839 in Vermont, George Warden Peppin enlisted in the Union Army’s 5th Infantry at Allegheny, California in 1861. Stationed in New Mexico during his enlistment, he played an important role in preventing the Civil War from spreading into the new territory. Soon after the war ended, Peppin made the decision to relocate to New Mexico permanently. In November 1864, he settled in the town of La Mesilla. By 1865 Peppin settled in Lincoln and married to Felipe Montoya and had two children.
George demonstrated exceptional skill as a craftsman and transitioned to the field of construction where he attained the status of a Master stone Mason. He significantly contributed to the development of several properties in Fort Stanton, Roswell, and Lincoln, including Alexander Mcween’s home, Dolan’s home, the big store known as the house (later courthouse), Dr. Woods home, and likely the San Juan Church. Furthermore, George exhibited an interest in public service and contested in the Lincoln county Sheriff’s election of 1869. Although unsuccessful, he established a bond with James Dolan. It has been reported that he was involved in an affair with Hiraldo Jaramillo’s wife in 1874, and subsequently, he married her shortly after Jaramillo’s unfortunate demise, when James Dolan killed Jaramillo in “self-defense”. Peppin’s first wife died in 1878, before he remarried. 
It has been purported that James Dolan, a prominent figure in the area, may have been bolstering his influence due to a perceived threat from emerging businessman, John Tunstall. Early in 1878, Sheriff Brady deputized George Peppin. Tragically, in February 1878, Tunstall was murdered, igniting what became known as the Lincoln County War.
On April 1st, 1878, George Peppin reportedly accompanied Sheriff Brady and deputies Mathews and Hindman on a walk, during which they were tragically ambushed. Sadly, Sheriff Brady and Hindman lost their lives. John Copeland, a blacksmith and friend of Alex McSween, was subsequently appointed as Sheriff Brady’s successor. Despite possessing warrants for five members of The Regulators for their alleged involvement in Sheriff Brady’s killing, Sheriff Copeland made no arrests. This decision understandably left Dolan furious and concerned for his safety, prompting him to depart for Santa Fe.
As Mr. Dolan strategized methods to regain authority over Lincoln, he closely monitored Sheriff Copeland’s actions. Upon discovering that Copeland had not been fulfilling his duty to collect taxes, Dolan, with the support of Governor Axtell, chose to remove him from his office and replace him with Peppin. Subsequently, Peppin set out to assemble a posse consisting of disillusioned farmers who had been financially depleted by John Chisum, a partner of Tunstalls, earning the group the name The Seven Rivers Warriors.
In June of 1878, George Peppin, a skilled carpenter and newly appointed Sheriff, led a large Posse to Lincoln with arrest warrants for 10 members of The Regulators. This was in relation to their involvement in the killings of Brady and Buckshot Roberts, with the latter being in close proximity to an Indian Reservation, which required a federal warrant. As such, the federal warrants took precedence over territory warrants and those carried by deputized men affiliated with the Mcsween faction were nullified. The Mcsween faction and The Regulators left Lincoln with a disadvantage and were outnumbered.
Sheriff Peppin’s men were waiting anxiously for the regulators to return. They had taken positions in Torreon and other parts of the town, requesting the locals to provide them with food. Susan Mcsween approached George Peppin and requested that his men vacate the Torreon, stressing that it was purchased by the Mcsweens for the construction of a new church. Despite this exchange, Peppin’s party grew restless and increasingly eager for conflict. They started scouting the area for regulators, often in small groups. While it’s unclear whether Peppin personally participated in these scouting missions, it’s clear that they were carried out by his party, with or without him.
As one of the posse groups arrived near San Patricio, they apprehended George Washington, an individual associated with The Regulator. Upon questioning, Washington disclosed that members of The Regulators were in the vicinity. As the posse progressed towards the Ruidoso valley, they identified notable figures such as Doc Scurlock, Mcsween, and the former sheriff Copeland among the members of The Regulators, who began firing their weapons at them from the distance and killed two of their horses.
It is worth noting that Peppin then included Alex McSween in the warrant list for the charges of assault with intent to kill, regardless of whether McSween fired or shot. However, their whereabouts were eventually located in San Patricio, where The Regulators were able to intercept them.
At San Patricio, the adobe houses boasted breastwork on their rooftops, which the Regulators utilized to their advantage. They positioned themselves behind several housetops and fired through the loopholes, ultimately driving the lawmen out of town. Though it was too dark to see clearly, there were reports of a few injuries sustained by horses and men. Following the altercation, Peppin’s party quickly left San Patricio. Despite the chaos, McSween and The Regulators remained determined and gathered a strong and silent posse to continue their efforts.
During the course of the five-day battle, at Lincoln, NM, Sheriff George Peppin and James Dolan engaged in discussions regarding their waning influence in Lincoln. Dolan sought the support of his acquaintances in the military at Fort Stanton, who, despite being directed not to intervene in civilian affairs, received tentative encouragement from Colonel Dudley. Unfortunately, the situation escalated and resulted in the tragic death of McSween and the expulsion of The Regulators from the town.
Following his resignation, George Peppin provided testimony in court supporting Col. Dudley’s actions and testifying against Billy the Kid’s involvement in the murder trial of Brady. He later served as the director of Lincoln’s school board but lived the rest of his life in fear, eventually seeking sanctuary at Fort Stanton. Peppin took on a job there as a butcher before ultimately finding work near Tularosa under Pat Coughlin as a butcher. He ultimately returned to masonry before passing away in 1904 due to bowel problems. Today, he is remembered and buried at the Lincoln cemetery, located east of town.