Tunstall Murder, Lincoln County War, Billy the Kid, Actual location, Wild west. We visit the actual murder site of John Tunstall which sparked the Lincoln county war.
I think it was amazing to see the EXACT SAME SKYLINE and terrain that Billy and the future Regulators saw on that fateful day...it was in February, so I would think that it was abit chilly and overcast..but imagine going there on that same date...and that time of year...one could get a real "feel" for the place in time....
He was coming from his Ranch on the Rio Feliz, leading some hoses away from his Ranch, so they would not be confiscated by Peppin and Posse. He thought he was going to talk it out, but they had other things in mind. He rode straight up to them, while Billy the Kid, Brewer saw some turkey they went after. They were close enough to see what happened, and who did the killing though.
@@rickwebb5681Most things were in that area back then. Maybe even more today then they were judging by the town of Lincoln being less populated now than it was at the time of the war.
The highway sure has been improved since I was at the roadside marker in 1984, 1992, and 1993. We did not have a 4WD vehicle, so we did not go down the nearly impassable road to the actual site.
Lol, do you people not understand there were no roads back in these times?? “Why was Tunstall out there?” He was out there, by a creek bed, because that’s just what was there, and creek beds are good navigation points/routes… geez people, clean it up….
@@TheFrogfeeder Your the one who wanted to get crazy in the comment section. No matter where one goes, there's ALWAYS ONE, that has to say something. ALWAYS ONE, that has to make a comment in a belittling tone. For your information, there were roads back then. No, not paved roads. Some cobblestone roads in some towns or municipalities, but mostly dirt, some sand and gravel. Yes, river beds made good passage points, and many of them were turned into roads. So, to conclude this less than exiting run in here in the comment section, you chose to be a little snarky in the comments, so it's ONLY FAIR, to expect some in return.🤷🏽♂️ Good day mate🤠✌🏼😏
Best information I could find is that the Tunstall ranch eventually became the Flying H ranch. The site where he was murdered was aproximately 30 miles north of what is now the Flying H ranch. Check out this awesome article for more lincolncountyhistoricalsociety.vpweb.com/tunstall-dolan-ranch
@@sasquatch907 looks to be a little less than 9.5 miles from Lincoln straight line (as the crow flies). Would be quite a bit further if one stayed on roads / routes
@@simplebobby86 just got back from Lincoln/Capitan area….spent a couple weeks roaming around..stayed at Baca Camp…..wanted to see that site…..maybe next time.thanks
portrayed history sucks! died at 24 and billy was basically same age 21-22 yet he was portrayed as a much older mentor to billy. so much made up shit about everything that happened.
This was an actual mountain pass they would take from Tunstall Ranch on the Rio Feliz. They would cut through from Riadoso. The Kid and a couple other regulators were a far off hunting turkey, when the posse came up from behind and ambushed him. They saw it. They had a Mexican Sheepherder bring his body in to Lincoln and this has always been the spot identified. He was moving horses away from his ranch so Jimmy Dolan and Murphy would not confiscate them with the $40,000 he was to hold until the judgement was done.
Can you hike from right 70 to the site or would that be too long of a hike. I have a toyota corolla and not sure if its a good idea to use the dirt road.
It’s right about 5 miles driving/hiking distance from the sign on highway 70 to the turn off (then another .2 miles to the site). Not sure if that’s too much for you but it would be for me. There is private property and ranch land that’s is between highway 70 and the site before you get onto forest land so I would advise that if you do decide to hike in, use the road so you don’t trespass.
Ya… working on my video skills. I realized I should have taken more video of the site… even though there isn’t much more than what I showed. Thanks for the feedback!
I could be completely wrong, but I assume that road or trail, was probably used by the participants in the Lincoln County war; including Billy the Kid. I for one liked the driving footage
Wanting to go to New Mexico this early Summer. My SUV would get tore up from the road. May have to walk the .2 miles. What’s the chances of running into a rattlesnake/snakes in general? I hate snakes more than anything
There is always the possibility. We did not see any snakes on this adventure. Just keep an eye on where you are stepping and you should be alright. I definitely would not recommend taking a stock SUV down the side road but you should be just fine getting to the turn off and taking the short hike. Thanks for the comment!
When we went, the road was in good enough condition that an equinox would make it to the turn off (being careful). Take it slow, watch for areas that might be washed out, and use good judgement.
Possible, not likely. They like sunning on rocks, and be careful what you step over. If you see one, they won't come after you but instead they try to flee. But if you get popped, it's not like a Cobra or Mamba. Calmly walk back to your SUV, and drive to Roswell to a hospital where they will observe you. Seriously, don't wreck on the way, you have plenty of time to get there unless you have an unusual allergic reaction like some people do with bee stings. And take a pistol alone for that stroll to the site. It's legal in the National Forest, and you'll enjoy the ambiance more.
That was FANTASTIC! Thanks for the effort to film this video, really terrific, well done.
I think it was amazing to see the EXACT SAME SKYLINE and terrain that Billy and the future Regulators saw on that fateful day...it was in February, so I would think that it was abit chilly and overcast..but imagine going there on that same date...and that time of year...one could get a real "feel" for the place in time....
And now we know. Thanks for sharing this with us.
You gotta wonder what he was doing out there when he got killed! Great video!
He was coming from his Ranch on the Rio Feliz, leading some hoses away from his Ranch, so they would not be confiscated by Peppin and Posse. He thought he was going to talk it out, but they had other things in mind. He rode straight up to them, while Billy the Kid, Brewer saw some turkey they went after. They were close enough to see what happened, and who did the killing though.
@@ronniehenwood8580 thanks for answering my question!
Mpk
That was what I was thinking, that in the middle of no where.
@@rickwebb5681Most things were in that area back then. Maybe even more today then they were judging by the town of Lincoln being less populated now than it was at the time of the war.
I can't believe you just left your jeep there blocking traffic!
Some people are very selfish. There could have been some squirrel that needed to cross.
Thanks for posting.What a wild and wooly place.That last stretch of rock looked like a dry creekbed.What was Tunstall doing?
That's what I was wondering. Maybe chasing down his cattle?
Iv read so many books on the kid, fantastic o actually see the site,well done great work 👍🇬🇧
I have been at that sight . Love history!!
New sub, I love this kind of content! Keep it coming
I'm fixing to do some videos around the Ruidoso area in January then continue with more of this type of content! Thanks for the add and stay tuned!
Great video! Thank you 🤠👍
The highway sure has been improved since I was at the roadside marker in 1984, 1992, and 1993. We did not have a 4WD vehicle, so we did not go down the nearly impassable road to the actual site.
He was trying to move his horses out of reach of the other gang. He was ridden up on from behind
Exactly. John Middleton and Billy tried to get him to ride away and he would not.
Historian Drew Gomber said they even shot the horse Tunstall was riding
That wouldn’t surprise me a bit.
looks like you were driving down a creek bed
It was a “road” as per the forest service. Definitely had water run down in like a creek bed.
One hell of an out-of-the way spot to get caught by your enemies. Should have stuck to the main road?
In 1878? What’s a main road?
I wonder what Tunstall was doing way up there. That was a long ride from the highway to the turnoff.
Respect ✊
What were they fighting over, can't have been over scrub land or space as there is enough space to fit an army?
There is a ton of information about the speculation of why and what transpired but I’m no expert. Seems to me that it wasn’t enough for some…
GreT video, but I have to wonder, what was he doing way out in the middle of nowhere?
There is a ton of information out there… some good, some not so good. I wasn’t there to know for sure so I have the same question.
Lol, do you people not understand there were no roads back in these times?? “Why was Tunstall out there?” He was out there, by a creek bed, because that’s just what was there, and creek beds are good navigation points/routes… geez people, clean it up….
To say there were no roads is bullshit...they were called wagon trails back then...there was roads back then
@@lancehurley9743 lance, go to bed young man…
@@TheFrogfeeder Your the one who wanted to get crazy in the comment section. No matter where one goes, there's ALWAYS ONE, that has to say something. ALWAYS ONE, that has to make a comment in a belittling tone.
For your information, there were roads back then. No, not paved roads. Some cobblestone roads in some towns or municipalities, but mostly dirt, some sand and gravel. Yes, river beds made good passage points, and many of them were turned into roads.
So, to conclude this less than exiting run in here in the comment section, you chose to be a little snarky in the comments, so it's ONLY FAIR, to expect some in return.🤷🏽♂️
Good day mate🤠✌🏼😏
How far away was the actual Tunstall Ranch?
Best information I could find is that the Tunstall ranch eventually became the Flying H ranch. The site where he was murdered was aproximately 30 miles north of what is now the Flying H ranch. Check out this awesome article for more lincolncountyhistoricalsociety.vpweb.com/tunstall-dolan-ranch
I took a stoc 2002 2wd honda CRV. you folks need to stay on the pavement. LOL
Am hiatory buff love history 1800 mike igo of washington state keep up work doing
Hello John!!!!!!!
How far from Lincoln is it?
@@sasquatch907 looks to be a little less than 9.5 miles from Lincoln straight line (as the crow flies). Would be quite a bit further if one stayed on roads / routes
@@simplebobby86 just got back from Lincoln/Capitan area….spent a couple weeks roaming around..stayed at Baca Camp…..wanted to see that site…..maybe next time.thanks
I think the movie Hotel Hell was based on this area .
That's sort of far from lincoln if you were on a horse. Is that were his ranch was?
You call that road rough?
Rough enough. I’d hate to recommend someone to drive out there in a small car (might have done silly things like that in my younger days)
portrayed history sucks! died at 24 and billy was basically same age 21-22 yet he was portrayed as a much older mentor to billy. so much made up shit about everything that happened.
There is a ton of information. Some good, some bad. Best to do your own research. It was really cool to see this site in person
Billy probably was younger than 21. They have found bullet casings from the shooting of Tunstall.
Hello John,!!!!!!!?
Sad
Are we there yet ?😹😹
How does anybody know for sure where the site is!
This was an actual mountain pass they would take from Tunstall Ranch on the Rio Feliz. They would cut through from Riadoso. The Kid and a couple other regulators were a far off hunting turkey, when the posse came up from behind and ambushed him. They saw it. They had a Mexican Sheepherder bring his body in to Lincoln and this has always been the spot identified. He was moving horses away from his ranch so Jimmy Dolan and Murphy would not confiscate them with the $40,000 he was to hold until the judgement was done.
Can you hike from right 70 to the site or would that be too long of a hike. I have a toyota corolla and not sure if its a good idea to use the dirt road.
It’s right about 5 miles driving/hiking distance from the sign on highway 70 to the turn off (then another .2 miles to the site). Not sure if that’s too much for you but it would be for me. There is private property and ranch land that’s is between highway 70 and the site before you get onto forest land so I would advise that if you do decide to hike in, use the road so you don’t trespass.
It's pretty darn far. Mostly uphill as well. It's a ten mile hike there and back
@@R-BURQUENO When I was there about a week ago it had snow on the road which made it really muddy, even for walking. So I had to abandon it anyway.
8 1/2 minutes with about 10 seconds of the actual site & views -- seriously?
Ya… working on my video skills. I realized I should have taken more video of the site… even though there isn’t much more than what I showed. Thanks for the feedback!
I could be completely wrong, but I assume that road or trail, was probably used by the participants in the Lincoln County war; including Billy the Kid. I for one liked the driving footage
Wanting to go to New Mexico this early Summer. My SUV would get tore up from the road. May have to walk the .2 miles. What’s the chances of running into a rattlesnake/snakes in general? I hate snakes more than anything
There is always the possibility. We did not see any snakes on this adventure. Just keep an eye on where you are stepping and you should be alright. I definitely would not recommend taking a stock SUV down the side road but you should be just fine getting to the turn off and taking the short hike. Thanks for the comment!
Thank you for the reply. Very helpful. My Equinox will make it all but the .2 miles, correct?
When we went, the road was in good enough condition that an equinox would make it to the turn off (being careful). Take it slow, watch for areas that might be washed out, and use good judgement.
Thank you, Good Sir
Possible, not likely. They like sunning on rocks, and be careful what you step over. If you see one, they won't come after you but instead they try to flee. But if you get popped, it's not like a Cobra or Mamba. Calmly walk back to your SUV, and drive to Roswell to a hospital where they will observe you. Seriously, don't wreck on the way, you have plenty of time to get there unless you have an unusual allergic reaction like some people do with bee stings.
And take a pistol alone for that stroll to the site. It's legal in the National Forest, and you'll enjoy the ambiance more.
Could you give us gps coordinates for the exact location?
I once had the coordinates. I’ll see if I can find them again.
Gutsy driving. Nicely done
Thanks 👍
300 👍
That'll learn him.
It's better traversed on horse and pack mule.
I absolutely agree. It would be a ton of fun to take horses through that area.