The Power of the Cow-Boys

A group of rustlers ran rampant in Cochise County.

Before the Earp brothers arrived in Tombstone in late 1879, the Cow-boys had been rustling Mexican cattle and selling them in Arizona. This loose-knit group of outlaws numbered in the hundreds; they operated relatively freely. Local businesses that profited from the rustling–butchers, saloons, gambling halls, brothels and even ranchers who purchased stolen cattle at reduced prices–were friendly to the Cow-boys. Investors and honest businessmen who wanted to attract eastern and San Francisco capital supported efforts to stop the rampant lawlessness.