Brink of War
by J. Young
Richard Brewer was born on February 19th, 1850 in Saint Albans, Vermont. He grew up as the oldest son of Rensselaer and Phoebe Brewer. During his childhood, his family moved to Boaz, Wisconsin, just west of Madison. As a young man, Brewer was known for his honesty and strong character. Sadly, when he was 18 years old, his girlfriend decided to marry his cousin instead. Despite this disappointment, Brewer continued on with his life and made many accomplishments in his career.
In 1870, Brewer left his home to seek a new beginning. He found employment as a farm hand of John and Mary Schooner in Carthage, Missouri. Drawn to the adventurous tales of the American West, Brewer traveled to New Mexico in the early 1870s. As he did in Missouri, Brewer turned to farming and eventually purchased a ranch in Southwest Lincoln. However, this acquisition left him in debt to Murphy. Brewer’s neighbors included George Coe, Doc Scurlock, and Charlie Bowdre. While in New Mexico, Brewer encountered Carolina Fritz and became quite fond of her. Nevertheless, unfortunate circumstances lay ahead, causing Brewer to forego the notion of settling down. Eventually, Fritz wed James Dolan.
With unwavering confidence, Brewer made the decision to switch from farming for Murphy to joining John Tunstall’s team. Thanks to the assistance of Mcsween, who paid his debt to Murphy, Brewer could finally move forward without being bogged down by high-interest rates. Tunstall’s clever acquisition of land through the desert land act allowed him to expand his operation in Feliz Valley, including the acquisition of cattle from Mrs. Casey. As Tunstall’s foreman, Brewer was a force to be reckoned with, tracking thieves and enforcing order with an iron fist. By spring of 1877, Tunstall had amassed an impressive 4,000-acre operation with Brewer as his right-hand man. With their hard work and determination, they were poised for continued success.
In May 1877, Mrs. Ellen Casey faced a difficult situation when Tunstall acquired possession of her property. Unfortunately, the widow was in a dire financial situation, and the County was requiring payment in the form of her cattle. Consequently, a court order was issued to impound 400 head of cattle bearing the KC brand as security. However, McSween was able to act quickly on Tunstall’s behalf and negotiate a deal with Casey. While this was a delicate matter, a loan was made to Casey for her cattle, knowing she wouldn’t be able to pay it back, giving Tunstall the cattle legally at a low cost. It was an opportunity for Tunstall to help out a local resident while also benefiting his business ventures.
John Tunstall hired a group of employees, including Richard Brewer, Fred Waite, Robert Widenmann, Sam Corbett, Alexander McSween, and Gottfried Gauss. Their success began to pose a threat to the profits of James Dolan, who was in charge of Murphy’s business in Lincoln County. Dolan was not one to shy away from a fight and began recruiting local gangs and thieves in an attempt to maintain control. The situation quickly escalated, and a war was on the horizon. The Bonito Valley was about to become a bloody battleground as tensions continued to rise.
On the night of September 18th, 1877, tensions began to rise in the Bonito Valley. During Tunstall’s absence, Jesse Evans and his gang, which included Billy the Kid, unlawfully appropriated horses belonging to Brewer, Doc Scurlock, Bowdre, and even a team of racehorses intended for Tunstall’s buggy. These actions were carried out in order to benefit Dolan. Such activities went against the law and caused distress for those involved.
Brewer took immediate action, gathering Doc Scurlock and Charlie Bowdre to track down the stolen horses. With determination and expertise, Bowdre and Doc followed the trail of the thieves while Brewer went to Las Cruces and Mesilla to enlist the help of Sheriff Mariano Barela. Despite efforts to convince Barela to issue warrants or take action, he refused. However, Brewer remained undaunted and was not deterred by the setback. He remained confident in his pursuit and continued to search for a solution, unaware that Barela was colluding with the very thieves they were trying to catch.
After abandoning any hopes of receiving assistance from the Sheriff, Brewer reconvened with Scurlock and Bowdre. They informed Brewer that they had located the horses, which were situated on the Eastside of San Augustine pass of the Organ Mountains at Shedd’s ranch. Despite their overwhelming disadvantage, Brewer, Scurlock, and Bowdre rode to the ranch. With great bravery, Brewer demanded that the horses be returned, as they were in plain sight within the corrals. Despite Jesse Evans’ refusal, Brewer’s courage earned his admiration, and Evans permitted Brewer to retrieve his own horses. Unfortunately, Tunstall’s horses were not offered, and as they were outnumbered, they treaded carefully.
Upon examining the evidence, Brewer responded to the situation with a stern assertion,
“If the Englishman’s cannot be returned than you can keep them all and go to hell.” The boys stayed the night at The Corn Exchange Hotel on September 22 before heading back to Lincoln.
It is possible that during this time, the Kid was fortunate enough to reunite with acquaintances, namely Doc and Bowdre, whom he had previously encountered in Arizona. It is noteworthy to mention that the Kid had previously been employed by the pair at their cheese factory situated along the Gila River. It is conceivable that the Kid was unaware of the identity of the proprietors and may have unknowingly infringed upon their possessions under the cloak of darkness.
In October of 1877, Mr. Brewer was appointed a deputy constable in order to track down a group of thieves. Along with a couple of others, Mr. Brewer armed themselves with provisions from Tunstall store to pursue the suspects to their hideout in Seven Rivers. Initially, they faced some resistance from the then-neutral Lincoln County Sheriff William Brady. However, after some persuasion, Sheriff Brady agreed to join the mission. On the 12th of October, Brewer, Brady, and the posse headed south to Seven Rivers, where the suspects ultimately surrendered.
On the way back to Lincoln with the prisoners; Jesse Evans, Frank Baker, Tom Hill and George Davis, the bunch ran into Tunstall on the road, who had just returned from Las Vegas, After learning of the goings on. Tunstall later recalled in a letter,
“I looked at the party to see if I could recognize any of the desperadoes, but I failed to recognize them; so I said why I thought you boys went out to round up some of the wild stock.”
Brewer and also the prisoners had a laugh.
Tom Hill remarks..
“By jove he doesn’t know if Dick has us or if we have got him!”
The Posse transported the prisoners to Lincoln and confined them in the Pit jail, a basic underground structure with two long chambers surrounded by rough log timber-wood. An adobe house over the top disguised the pit and provided a shelter for the guards.
Richard Brewer’s sharp instincts and keen eye led him to uncover the mysterious disappearance of a large herd of cattle from Tunstall’s stock in the third week of October 1877. With his investigative skills, he uncovered the truth behind the vanishing act: the determined widow Mrs. Casey, unwilling to suffer more losses after her late husband, took charge and rallied her children and team to gather her own herd that she mortgaged to McSween along with half of Tunstall’s. Their bold move took them straight to the Texas border.
Brewer and his team – John Middleton, Sam Corbett, Robert Widenmann, and Florencio Gonzales – were unstoppable. They relentlessly pursued Casey’s Caravan until they finally caught up and held them at gunpoint. Brewer, demonstrating his unwavering confidence, handpicked 200 cattle that belonged to Tunstall out of the herd and arrested Casey’s sons, taking them back to Lincoln. Even the strong-willed widow, Mrs. Casey, was no match for Brewer’s confidence and determination. She sought refuge with John Chisum, hoping to drop the charges against her sons. But Brewer’s confidence knew no bounds. Perhaps Chisum paid her debt as no more information about that situation can be found.
During their incarceration in the pit, Jesse Evans and his associates became more amenable toward John Tunstall. Seeing how Dolan conducted his business, Tunstall decided to win over Evans and his friends by providing them with new suits and a bottle of whiskey. Liberation eventually arrived after a month, when a rescue party (including Billy the Kid) arrived in town late one night with guns drawn. Jesse Evans and his colleagues were freed without incident. Afterward, they stopped at Bowdre’s residence to find no one home. Therefore, they took some blankets and a rifle before proceeding to Brewers ranch for breakfast. Before leaving, they made the promise not to steal from Tunstall again. Several days later, they returned Tunstall’s horses. Upon investigation, it was discovered that the prisoners had dug out the interior of the pit and filed away their chains. This is an indication that Tunstall or someone provided them with the file.
After Billy the Kid was apprehended for possession of a Tunstall stolen horse, he was incarcerated and remanded to custody. Upon visiting Billy in confinement, Tunstall was disheartened to see a young, mannerly and educated individual disregarding propriety. Tunstall extended a helping hand, offering him employment, accommodation, (at Brewers home) a new set of clothing, a rifle and a horse. Billy had not been treated equitably nor as an adult. A mere glimpse of respectable employment was his solitary option.
Unfortunately, the situation further deteriorated for Tunstall and his company. They were faced with several arrests and false charges followed by the confiscation of their property under the pretext of an old McSween debt to the house. As a result, they lost their store and were left with no option but to reside at their ranch, hoping for legal assistance that remained elusive.
On February 18th, 1878, Richard Brewer, Widenmann, Bonney, and Middleton were escorting Tunstall from the Tunstall Ranch into town. As they were traveling along a trail south of Lincoln and north of the Tunstall ranch, the group saw an opportunity to hunt wild turkey. However, as they strayed from Tunstall, a large gang of Dolan men, who were deputized to repossess property from Tunstall, murdered him. Unfortunately, Brewer and the others were outnumbered and remained hidden. The following day, they retrieved Tunstall’s body and took it to Brewer’s home, where they placed it in a wagon and drove it to Lincoln for burial. It is said that during the funeral, Richard Brewer swore out loud that he would not rest until every man responsible for Tunstall’s death paid for it with their own life.
Richard Brewer took charge and formed the Regulators with John Middleton, Jim French, Henry Brown, Frank McNab, and Robert Widenmann. Together they fearlessly sought justice against corrupt officials like Sheriff Brady who was then working for Dolan. The Regulators knew that arresting anyone would be pointless since Brady would let them go. So, with confidence, they searched every corner, including Dolan’s home, and eventually captured Buck Morton and Frank Baker. On March 1st, 1878, Brewer’s appointment as Deputy Constable was confirmed by Justice Squire Wilson. The Regulators had proven themselves to be a force to be reckoned with, and the people of Lincoln-town were grateful for their bravery.
Brewer said he was sorry that they surrendered, he was looking forward to killing them. The next day Morton and Baker were both killed when they tried to flee. It was probably their fate anyhow as Billy the Kid is remembered saying, he wouldn’t have let them live anyway.
Brewer said he was sorry that they surrendered, he was looking forward to killing them. The next day Morton and Baker were both killed when they tried to flee. It was probably their fate anyhow as Billy the Kid is remembered saying, he wouldn’t have let them live anyway.
A few days later on April 4, the Regulators decided it was time to take out the Sheriff. This one didn’t sit too well with Brewer, and chose not to be present. Brewer may have still ordered the killing with agreement from Mcsween and Widenman. Sheriff Brady and Deputy Hindman were killed in the muddy streets of Lincoln in a hailstorm of bullets.
Days later on April, 4th, 1878, Richard Brewer enjoyed his last meal as the boys stopped at Blazers Mill for supper…Dr. Blazer let the Regulators know, as they were eating, that they might have a tail on their trail.
Richard Brewer, replied; “well if that’s the program we’ll be prepared for them fellows.”
Brewer suggests that two men stand guard while the others eat. George Coe volunteers and John Middleton calls out “I’ll be the other one.”
The man was Andrew “Buckshot” Roberts, and he rode right up to Blazers, at first unaware of their presence.
George Coe remembers
“He offered no words or greeting and crawled off his mule, armed with two six-shooters, a rifle and a 12 inch belt full of cartridges.”

Richard Brewer, having a conference with the boys, was wanting to “take” Roberts at whatever the consequences were to be. Brewer was growing impatient he said;
“boys he’s a bad hombre well-armed and I ain’t going to ask anyone to go around the house and get him but who will volunteer? Anybody?”
Charlie Bowdre spoke up, “you bet I’ll go for one.” George Coe; “I’ll be another to go.”
Billy the Kid stepped up and said;
“I’d sure hate to miss the frolic so I guess I’ll go with you!”
Shots were fired and Buckshot was hit through the torso, he was going to die really soon.
Roberts had backed into a room and grabbed a single shot 1873 .45-70 Springfield rifle off the wall. While weakening he was able to pull a feather mattress onto the floor. He laid down on it, cocked his gun and was ready to fight until the end. Brewer pinning Roberts’ location, ran down to a footbridge, at a creek and took position a little more than 100 yards from the house. Peeking over a pile of logs, Brewer shoots into the doorway at Roberts. Frank Coe remembers;
“The bullet “just shaved the door facing,”
After spotting gun smoke from Brewer’s gun, Roberts finds Brewer’s location and waits for Brewer’s head to pop up. As soon as it did, Roberts fired with the Springfield. The big slug hits Brewer’s left eye, blowing out the back of his head.
Richard Brewer was killed at 28 years old and is buried at the Blazer family cemetery near Mescalero.
On January 6th 1879, the widow Susan McSween was appointed as the administrator of the Tunstall estate and as a part of the arrangement was the late Richard Brewer’s estate.