Finally, Justice for a Killer

Billy Campbell faced a mob for his crimes.

Billy Campbell was a hard-case, often fueled by alcohol and anger. He left dead bodies behind in Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. Somehow, he escaped punishment. In New Mexico, he killed attorney Huston Chapman, a major player at the end of the Lincoln County War. Campbell was arrested and jailed, but he escaped from Fort Stanton in 1880. But he had nearly run out his string. It’s not clear exactly when or where it happened, but the drunken gunman killed another victim in Arizona. He was tossed into jail, but a mob formed and lynched him in 1881.