January 26, 2024 Brian Lebel's Old West Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/26/2024
A document signed by Huston J. Chapman, attorney for Susan McSween, in connection with the estate of her murdered husband, Alexander McSween, the murdered John Turnstall, and, in this case, Richard M. Brewer, leader of the Regulators, who was killed by bounty hunter "Buckshot" Roberts at Blazer's Mill, April 17, 1878. The described John Copeland was a former sheriff in Lincoln, fired due to the fraternization with the killers of Turnstall. Two months after signing this document, Chapman, on February 18, 1879, a Regulator's supporter, was assassinated by J. J. Dolan, Jesse Evans and Bill Campbell on the streets of Lincoln. Chapman was unarmed. He was shot at point blank range; his clothing caught fire and the body was left smoldering in the street overnight. This incident catalyzed Governor Lew Wallace into action. Juan Patron, who signed acceptance to the document, was murdered in April 1884 by a former Murphy-Dolan supporter. A very rare document from the midst of the Lincoln County War.
Ref. Mullin, Robert, "History of the Lincoln County War", 2004, pps 319, 325-28. McCright, Grady & Powell, James, "Jesse Evans: Lincoln County Badman", pps. 164-167. Image Size: 8" x 7".
Item Dimensions: Frame: 14 - 1/2" x 13 - 1/4".
