His claim, however, placed him in odds with several smaller ranching families who had settled from Texas at the same year as him, as well as the Apache at the nearby Mescalero Indian Reservation.

This resulted in him recruiting and arming cowboys and ranch hands to protect his property, led by James M. Highsaw, who was described by a contemporary as “quick as lightning on the draw [and] cool under any circumstances.”[1] Many of these men, including Tabb and Charles Rankin, were fired upon by Chisum’s enemies.

Many of the smaller ranch communities, especially those with alleged criminal history, formed the Seven Rivers Warriors gang to defend against Chisum’s aggression.

[2] The first clash happened in October 1876 at the Wiley Cow Camp, about 80 miles from Chisum’s ranch, when a man named Yopp came into an argument with two cowboys.

[3] The Beckwiths, meanwhile, opened fire, while two men inside the house, Charles Woltz and Buck Powell, sneaked out to call for help.

After a night of continued stand-off, Chisum’s cowboys recommended him to fall back, further stating that they were hired to drive cattle, not to get shot at.