The gang was organized by outlaw John Kinney, in Doña Ana County, New Mexico.

From its beginning, the gang primarily committed acts of robbery and cattle rustling.

On December 31, 1875, the gang was involved in a gunfight with US Cavalry soldiers in a saloon in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

Lincoln County Sheriff George Peppin deputized the gang members to make them "official" during this time.

John Kinney did not return to his former outlaw life, instead serving in the US Army during the Spanish–American War, and lived until 1919.