The Mason County “Hoo Doo” War, 1874-1902 (A.c. Greene Series)

In 1874, the "Hoo Doo" War erupted in the Texas Hill Country of Mason County. The feud began with the rise of the mob under Sheriff John Clark, but it was not until the premeditated murder of rancher Timothy Williamson in 1875, a murder orchestrated by Sheriff Clark, that the violence escalated out of control. His death drew former Texas Ranger Scott Cooley to the region seeking justice, and when the courts failed, he began a vendetta to avenge his friend. In the ensuing months, Sheriff Clark's mob ambushed ranchers George Gladden and Moses Baird, which drew gunfighters such as John Ringo into the violence. Local and state officials proved powerless, and it was not until the early 1900s that the feud burned itself out. David Johnson analyzes the myths and legends surrounding the feud and presents the first definitive account of what happened in Mason County - a case study in frontier violence of the bloodiest kind. Dedication 6 Contents 8 Foreword 10 Acknowledgments 14 Introduction: “A War of Extermination” 16 Chapter 1: “Murderous Passions Unleashed” 22 Chapter 2: “Enough Money to Burn a Wet Dog” 33 Chapter 3: “Stock War!” 48 Chapter 4: “The Fright Hangs Over Us” 66 Chapter 5: “Another Horrible Murder” 79 Chapter 6: “Rance and Co.’s Band of Freebooters” 92 Chapter 7: “A Man of Large Connexions” 106 Chapter 8: “A Most Horrible State of Affairs” 120 Chapter 9: “Intervention Was Necessary” 134 Chapter 10: “Shooting Each Other With Renewed Energy” 148 Chapter 11: “I Think There Is Some Trouble at Hand” 178 Chapter 12: “More Blood” 193 Chapter 13: “The Gladden Trial” 210 Chapter 14: “A Thiefs Paradise” 223 Chapter 15: “Casting Out Devils” 235 Chapter 16: “A Shocking and Lamentable Sequel” 247 Conclusion: “A Bitter Cup of Suffering” 261 Appendix I 269 Appendix II 271 Appendix III 274 Appendix IV 279 Notes 281 Selected Bibliography 335 Index 348 A 348 B 348 C 350 D 351 E 352 F 352 G 353 H 353 I 354 J 354 K 355 L 356 M 356 N 358 O 358 P 358 Q 358 R 359 S 359 T 360 U 361 V 361 W 361 Z 361 photo/image gallery 164 In 1874, the ""Hoo Doo"" War erupted in the Texas Hill Country of Mason County. The author analyzes the myths and legends surrounding the feud and presents an account of what happened in Mason County - a case study in frontier violence of the bloodiest kind A Haunting Story Of Ethnic Strife, Human Frailty, Betrayal, Vengeance, And The Harrowing Repercussions Of Mob Justice. By David D. Johnson ; Foreword By Rick Miller. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 252-318) And Index.