MS 594 - John "Johnnie D" Hopkins Collection, 1887-1887 | McCracken Research Library

By Annie Stratton

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Collection Overview

Title: MS 594 - John "Johnnie D" Hopkins Collection, 1887-1887

Predominant Dates:1887

Primary Creator: Johnson County (Wyo.)

Extent: 1.0 Folders

Arrangement: The collection is in the originial order that it was recieved.

Date Acquired: 10/26/2006

Subjects: Johnson County War, 1892, Maverick Law of 1884, Wyoming

Languages: English

Abstract

This collection contains the indictment of the John "Johnnie D" Hopkins. John Hopkins was charged with "unlawfully and willfully" branding one head of cattle with the brand NΛY. The indictment shows the rising tensions that happened in the years leading up to the Johnson County War. In 1884 the Maverick Law was passed in the Wyoming Territory, making cattle ranching hard for smaller ranchers. The Maverick Law was one of the tipping points to the Johnson County War in 1892.

Scope and Contents of the Materials

For current finding guide please visit: https://mccrackenatcenterofthewest.libraryhost.com/repositories/2/resources/68

The scope of the collection is one document, the indictment of John "Johnnie D" Hopkins.

Collection Historical Note

The Johnson County War occurred in 1892 but had been festering for many years prior to that, as this indictment would seem to indicate. The cattle "kings," who formed the Wyoming Stock Growers' Association, by matter of both custom and law, asserted ownership of all unbranded cattle found loose on the open range. The offense alleged here is that Hopkins was not a foreman on a round-up and had no authority therefore to brand a cow as his own. Such grievances eventually erupted into conflict.

Subject/Index Terms

Johnson County War, 1892
Maverick Law of 1884
Wyoming

Administrative Information

Repository: McCracken Research Library

Access Restrictions: McCracken Library staff may determine use restrictions dependent on the physical condition of manuscript materials. Restrictions may exist on reproduction, quotation or publication. Contact McCracken Research Library for more information

Acquisition Source: Dorothy Sloan Rare Book Auctions

Acquisition Method: This collection was a purchase from Dorothy Sloan Rare Book Auctions.

Preferred Citation: John "Johnnie D" Hopkins Collection, MS 594, McCracken Research Library, Buffalo Bill Center of the West

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