George Scarborough
Encyclopedia
George Scarborough was a cowboy
, lawman, and possible outlaw
(disputed) who lived during the time of the Wild West. He is best known for having killed outlaw John Selman
, killer of John Wesley Hardin
, and for his partnership with lawman Jeff Milton
, with the pair bringing down several outlaws during their time together.
. His family moved to Texas
, where for a while he worked as a cowboy. In 1885, he was appointed sheriff for Jones County
. He would later work as a Deputy US Marshal in and around El Paso, Texas
. On June 21, 1895, while working alongside El Paso police chief Jeff Milton, Scarborough shot and killed Martin McRose, a Texas rustler. McRose is buried near John Wesley Hardin
, and Texas Ranger Ernest St. Leon
. Jeff Milton was Chief of Police in El Paso at that time, and Scarborough was a US Marshal. McRose had been captured, and was killed while being brought back from Mexico
by the two lawmen on an outstanding warrant. Outlaw and gunman John Wesley Hardin claimed that he had paid Scarborough and Milton to kill Martin McRose. Milton and Scarborough were arrested, but Hardin later withdrew his comments and the men were released.
Scarborough became well known for his unusual tactics when tracking a wanted outlaw. Often, he would drop himself down to the level of those he was pursuing. This tactic was extremely effective, and made him a hated and feared man among the outlaw element. There are many accusations that he was actively and ambitiously involved in outlaw gangs which he betrayed, but no one ever conclusively proved he was involved in unlawful actions. In July, 1898, Scarborough and Milton tracked, shot and captured outlaw "Bronco Bill" Walters
, killing another member of Walters gang, and scattering the rest from their hideout near Solomonville, Arizona
. In late 1899 and into 1900, Scarborough pursued the Burt Alvord
gang. The beginning of the gangs end came during a February 15, 1900 gunfight between five of the gang members and Jeff Milton in Fairbank, Arizona
, during which gang member "Three Fingered Jack" Dunlop was killed, and both gang member Bravo Juan Yaos as well as Milton were wounded.
shot and killed John Wesley Hardin
at the Acme Saloon Bar in El Paso. Scarborough had long been feuding with Selman. Selman had, as Constable of El Paso, shot and killed a former Texas Ranger
named Bass Outlaw on April 5, 1894, who was a close friend to Scarborough. Selman had been tried for the shooting, and found not guilty.
In reality, Bass Outlaw was not innocent in his own death that night. Intoxicated, and having already been ordered by Selman, a constable
at the time, to return home and sleep off his intoxication, after he had verbally threatened to kill a local judge, Outlaw instead visited a brothel
then a saloon. He became involved in an argument with Texas Ranger Joe McKirdict, who was attempting to talk him into leaving. Outlaw shot and killed Ranger McKirdict, then turned on Selman, who engaged him in a gunfight. Constable Selman was wounded twice, in the thigh, and Outlaw was killed. The shooting of Bass Outlaw was found justified by the court.
On the second anniversary of his friend's death, Scarborough called Selman into the back alley behind the Wigwam Saloon, the two men argued and began fighting. Scarborough claimed both drew their guns, and Scarborough fatally shot Selman. However no gun was found on Selman's body. Conveniently, a thief was arrested before the trial, who claimed to have stolen Selman's gun immediately after the supposed gun fight. Therefore, Scarborough was acquitted at his murder trial. Scarborough then moved to Deming, New Mexico
, where he worked as a gunman for the Grant County Cattlemen's Association. He was also associated with the arrest of Pearl Hart
.
Cowboy
A cowboy is an animal herder who tends cattle on ranches in North America, traditionally on horseback, and often performs a multitude of other ranch-related tasks. The historic American cowboy of the late 19th century arose from the vaquero traditions of northern Mexico and became a figure of...
, lawman, and possible outlaw
Outlaw
In historical legal systems, an outlaw is declared as outside the protection of the law. In pre-modern societies, this takes the burden of active prosecution of a criminal from the authorities. Instead, the criminal is withdrawn all legal protection, so that anyone is legally empowered to persecute...
(disputed) who lived during the time of the Wild West. He is best known for having killed outlaw John Selman
John Selman
John Selman was an outlaw and sometimes lawman of the Old West. He is best known as the man who shot outlaw John Wesley Hardin in the Acme Saloon in El Paso, Texas on August 19, 1895.-Early life, service with the Confederacy:...
, killer of John Wesley Hardin
John Wesley Hardin
John Wesley Hardin was an American outlaw, gunfighter, and controversial folk hero of the Old West. He was born in Bonham, Texas. Hardin found himself in trouble with the law at an early age, and spent the majority of his life being pursued by both local lawmen and federal troops of the...
, and for his partnership with lawman Jeff Milton
Jeff Milton
Jeff Milton , born Jeff Davis Milton, was an Old West lawman, and the son of Confederate Florida governor John Milton.-Early life:...
, with the pair bringing down several outlaws during their time together.
Early life, controversial killing
George Scarborough was born in LouisianaLouisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
. His family moved to Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, where for a while he worked as a cowboy. In 1885, he was appointed sheriff for Jones County
Jones County, Texas
As of the census of 2000, there were 20,785 people, 6,140 households, and 4,525 families residing in the county. The population density was 22 people per square mile . There were 7,236 housing units at an average density of 8 per square mile...
. He would later work as a Deputy US Marshal in and around El Paso, Texas
El Paso, Texas
El Paso, is a city in and the county seat of El Paso County, Texas, United States, and lies in far West Texas. In the 2010 census, the city had a population of 649,121. It is the sixth largest city in Texas and the 19th largest city in the United States...
. On June 21, 1895, while working alongside El Paso police chief Jeff Milton, Scarborough shot and killed Martin McRose, a Texas rustler. McRose is buried near John Wesley Hardin
John Wesley Hardin
John Wesley Hardin was an American outlaw, gunfighter, and controversial folk hero of the Old West. He was born in Bonham, Texas. Hardin found himself in trouble with the law at an early age, and spent the majority of his life being pursued by both local lawmen and federal troops of the...
, and Texas Ranger Ernest St. Leon
Ernest St. Leon
Ernest "Diamond Dick" St. Leon was a French-American law enforcement officer and a member of the Texas Rangers, known prominently during the 1880s as one of its finest undercover officers. He received the nickname "Diamond Dick" from his fellow officers due to his habit of wearing diamonds on his...
. Jeff Milton was Chief of Police in El Paso at that time, and Scarborough was a US Marshal. McRose had been captured, and was killed while being brought back from Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
by the two lawmen on an outstanding warrant. Outlaw and gunman John Wesley Hardin claimed that he had paid Scarborough and Milton to kill Martin McRose. Milton and Scarborough were arrested, but Hardin later withdrew his comments and the men were released.
Scarborough became well known for his unusual tactics when tracking a wanted outlaw. Often, he would drop himself down to the level of those he was pursuing. This tactic was extremely effective, and made him a hated and feared man among the outlaw element. There are many accusations that he was actively and ambitiously involved in outlaw gangs which he betrayed, but no one ever conclusively proved he was involved in unlawful actions. In July, 1898, Scarborough and Milton tracked, shot and captured outlaw "Bronco Bill" Walters
William Walters (outlaw)
William Walters, also known as "Bronco Bill" was an outlaw during the closing days of the Old West. He is best known for the legend of his "lost treasure", allegedly located in the area of Solomonville, Arizona....
, killing another member of Walters gang, and scattering the rest from their hideout near Solomonville, Arizona
Solomonville, Arizona
Solomonville is a small unincorporated community in Graham County, Arizona, United States. It is part of the Safford Micropolitan Statistical Area.- History :...
. In late 1899 and into 1900, Scarborough pursued the Burt Alvord
Burt Alvord
Burt Alvord , or Burton Alvord, was a little known lawman and later outlaw of the Old West, who witnessed the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral at age 15...
gang. The beginning of the gangs end came during a February 15, 1900 gunfight between five of the gang members and Jeff Milton in Fairbank, Arizona
Fairbank, Arizona
Fairbank is a ghost town in Cochise County in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Arizona, near the San Pedro River. First settled in 1881 in what was then known as the Arizona Territory, Fairbank, the closest rail stop to nearby Tombstone, was an important location in developing Arizona...
, during which gang member "Three Fingered Jack" Dunlop was killed, and both gang member Bravo Juan Yaos as well as Milton were wounded.
Killing of John Selman
On August 19, 1895, lawman/outlaw John SelmanJohn Selman
John Selman was an outlaw and sometimes lawman of the Old West. He is best known as the man who shot outlaw John Wesley Hardin in the Acme Saloon in El Paso, Texas on August 19, 1895.-Early life, service with the Confederacy:...
shot and killed John Wesley Hardin
John Wesley Hardin
John Wesley Hardin was an American outlaw, gunfighter, and controversial folk hero of the Old West. He was born in Bonham, Texas. Hardin found himself in trouble with the law at an early age, and spent the majority of his life being pursued by both local lawmen and federal troops of the...
at the Acme Saloon Bar in El Paso. Scarborough had long been feuding with Selman. Selman had, as Constable of El Paso, shot and killed a former Texas Ranger
Texas Ranger Division
The Texas Ranger Division, commonly called the Texas Rangers, is a law enforcement agency with statewide jurisdiction in Texas, and is based in Austin, Texas...
named Bass Outlaw on April 5, 1894, who was a close friend to Scarborough. Selman had been tried for the shooting, and found not guilty.
In reality, Bass Outlaw was not innocent in his own death that night. Intoxicated, and having already been ordered by Selman, a constable
Constable
A constable is a person holding a particular office, most commonly in law enforcement. The office of constable can vary significantly in different jurisdictions.-Etymology:...
at the time, to return home and sleep off his intoxication, after he had verbally threatened to kill a local judge, Outlaw instead visited a brothel
Brothel
Brothels are business establishments where patrons can engage in sexual activities with prostitutes. Brothels are known under a variety of names, including bordello, cathouse, knocking shop, whorehouse, strumpet house, sporting house, house of ill repute, house of prostitution, and bawdy house...
then a saloon. He became involved in an argument with Texas Ranger Joe McKirdict, who was attempting to talk him into leaving. Outlaw shot and killed Ranger McKirdict, then turned on Selman, who engaged him in a gunfight. Constable Selman was wounded twice, in the thigh, and Outlaw was killed. The shooting of Bass Outlaw was found justified by the court.
On the second anniversary of his friend's death, Scarborough called Selman into the back alley behind the Wigwam Saloon, the two men argued and began fighting. Scarborough claimed both drew their guns, and Scarborough fatally shot Selman. However no gun was found on Selman's body. Conveniently, a thief was arrested before the trial, who claimed to have stolen Selman's gun immediately after the supposed gun fight. Therefore, Scarborough was acquitted at his murder trial. Scarborough then moved to Deming, New Mexico
Deming, New Mexico
Deming is a city in Luna County, New Mexico, United States, located 60 miles west of Las Cruces. The population was 14,116 at the 2000 census. Deming is the county seat and principal town of Luna County.-History:...
, where he worked as a gunman for the Grant County Cattlemen's Association. He was also associated with the arrest of Pearl Hart
Pearl Hart
Pearl Hart was a Canadian-born outlaw of the American Old West. Performing one of the last recorded stagecoach robberies in the United States, her crime gained notoriety primarily due to her gender...
.