The Fritz money and the Lincoln Co. War.

[Chris Hall]

This is my first posting to this forum and I am excited to be a part of it.

I am studying the Lincoln Co. War and I'm wondering if anybody could help shed some light on the role that the Fritz money played in the development of the hostilities.

It seems to me that Mr. Tunstall should have turned that money over to the Fritz's.

Thanks in advance for your time,
Chris

[Chris Lampe]

The Fritz money led directly to the Lincoln County War. Based on the charges filed by Fritz's sister, Sheriff Brady served a writ of attachment on McSween's property. Sheriff Brady assumed that Tunstall's store was partially owned by McSween so he attached it and it's contents as well. Eventually Brady released a group of Tunstall's horses and Tunstall sent them with some of his men to his Ranch. Brady then changed his mind and sent a posse out to re-take the horses he previously had released. As Tunstall and his men were heading back to Lincoln with the horses, this posse caught up with them and murdered Tunstall. This touched off the shooting phase of the Lincoln County War.

[Chris Hall]

Thanks for the info Gayle! I had forgotten that Fritz and Murphy/Dolan had been partners. That makes it much easier to understand.

Have a Good One,

Chris

[Chris Lampe]

Welcom Chris!

It was actually McSween who had the money from the Fritz insurance policy. I don't remember all the details but I seem to remember that Dolan claimed all the money based on a debt that Fritz owed to "The House". I don't remembe the exact reason McSween refused to pay but when I read it I thought it was reasonable. I believe that McSween felt there were other siblings whose say in the inheritance was in jeapordy by Dolan's claim and McSween was waiting for the courts to settle the matter. I'm going by memory so this may not be exactly right.

[Chris Hall]

Thank You for the welcome Chris! Yes, it was McSween who had the money, I guess I mis-(typed?).
This is one of my favorite episodes in Western History the Fritz money is the only thing that confuses me. Thank you very much for helping me to clear it up. It now seems to me that what McSween was doing was trying to keep the money out of the hands of Jimmy Dolan.
I am just starting on a new book on the subject by Robert Utley and judging by the first chapter, I feel he will cover it in great detail.

Thanks Again,

Chris

[Chris Lampe]

Chris, If you are reading Utley's book on the Lincoln County War then he will probably cover it in significant detail. Perhaps the best resource is "The Lincoln County War: A Documentary History" by Fred Nolan. Maurice G. Fulton's "History of the Lincoln County War" is very similar to Utley's book and I enjoyed Fulton's version more than Utley. All are good books but if you are really interested in the LCW then Nolan's is by far, the best.

[Chris Hall]

Thanks for the tip, Chris. I have read Fulton's book and I will check out Nolan's next. I cannot get enough on the Lincoln Co. War!

Have A Good Weekend,
Chris