Johnson County War was a conflict fought in April 1892 mainly between ranchers in Wyoming , a state in the western United States. The conflict arose out of disputed grazing and water rights for cattle ranchers. Wealthy cattle barons tried to force out smaller ranchers and others, who resisted, leading to gun battles and other violence. The Johnson County War is also called the Powder River War and the Wyoming Range War.
Wealthy and politically well-connected ranchers formed the powerful Wyoming Stock Growers Association (WSGA) in the 1870’s. In 1891, a group of owners of smaller ranches formed an association of their own beyond WSGA control. From 1889 to 1891, a number of people opposed to the WSGA had been assassinated or accused of cattle rustling (stealing) and lynched. In 1892, the WSGA planned what was called an invasion of northern Johnson County to stop the smaller ranchers’ association. The WSGA justified their invasion by claiming to be victims of rustling rings in the county. In April, an armed group of more than 60 men arrived in Johnson County. In a siege and shootout at a cabin, they killed two men: Nate Champion and a cowboy named Nick Ray. Champion had been a leader in the association of smaller cattle ranch owners, and he strongly opposed the big cattle owners who attempted to maintain a cattle monopoly.
Alarmed residents of Johnson County armed themselves against the invaders and formed a large posse. They cornered the invaders at a ranch south of Buffalo, the county seat. After a three-day siege, the U.S. Army intervened and arrested the invaders. However, because of their political connections, the WSGA men were freed before a trial could be held.
The Johnson County War reduced the political power of the cattlemen. However, WSGA members continued to exercise power in state politics well into the 1900’s.
