The Brief Rule Of Brown Hoodoo ran Las Vegas, NM—until people stood up.

Hyman Neill—better known as Hoodoo Brown—was the driving force in Las Vegas, New Mexico from 1879-1880.  He became justice of the peace.  And then coroner.  And then mayor.  All at the same time.   Behind the scenes, he led the so-called Dodge City Gang, featuring “Mysterious” Dave Mather, J.J. Webb, and Dave Rudabaugh.  The outfit entered into protection schemes, robbery, murder and government corruption.

Citizens got fed up with things and drove the gang out of town in the summer of 1880.  Brown disappeared and reportedly died in Mexico many years later.