George Scarborough Cashes in His Chips

The legendary lawman tried to take on members of the Wild Bunch.

George Scarborough was a noted lawman—including a stint as a deputy U.S. marshal. In April 1900, he and a compatriot were chasing some cow thieves. They ran into their quarry in a rocky area of New Mexico. Scarborough opened fire on the outlaws, not realizing they were rough members of the Wild Bunch. They returned fire and a bullet hit Scarborough in the leg, incapacitating him. When the outlaws left, Scarborough was evacuated to his home in Deming. His leg was amputated, but it did no good. The lawman died on April 5.