MS 594 - John "Johnnie D" Hopkins Collection

Collection — Container: 1 Folder

Identifier: MS 594

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The scope of the collection is one document, the indictment of John "Johnnie D" Hopkins.

Dates

Created: 1887-1887
Other: Majority of material found in 1887
Other: Date acquired: 10/26/2006

Creator

Johnson County (Wyo.) (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

McCracken Library staff may determine use restrictions dependent on the physical condition of manuscript materials. Restrictions may exist on reproduction, quotation or publication. Contact McCracken Research Library for more information

Biographical or Historical Information

The Johnson County War occurred in 1892 but had been festering for many years prior to that, as this indictment would seem to indicate. The cattle "kings," who formed the Wyoming Stock Growers' Association, by matter of both custom and law, asserted ownership of all unbranded cattle found loose on the open range. The offense alleged here is that Hopkins was not a foreman on a round-up and had no authority therefore to brand a cow as his own. Such grievances eventually erupted into conflict.

Note written by Dorothy Sloan

Extent

1.00 folders

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

This collection contains the indictment of the John "Johnnie D" Hopkins. John Hopkins was charged with "unlawfully and willfully" branding one head of cattle with the brand NΛY. The indictment shows the rising tensions that happened in the years leading up to the Johnson County War. In 1884 the Maverick Law was passed in the Wyoming Territory, making cattle ranching hard for smaller ranchers. The Maverick Law was one of the tipping points to the Johnson County War in 1892.