Shotgun John Collins
Encyclopedia
Shotgun John Collins was a little known, though well associated, gunfighter of the Old West.
, Collins was raised in an old plantation
environment. His great grandfather, Captain Edward Connor, served in the South Carolina Militia
during the American Revolution
, under Francis Marion
. His father, Hosea A. Graham, had married his first cousin Martha Ann Graham, and while Collins was still a child the family moved to Texas
in covered wagons in 1859.
While living in Limestone County Texas teenagers Abe Graham, alias John Collins and John Wesley Hardin were partners, furthermore coming from stanch Confederate families. Hardin writes in his biography that John Collins was once married to one of his cousins (Tabitha Cox born in Bonham, Fannin County Texas) and comments while he was in Austin jail he met some noted men naming John Collins, Pipes and Herndon of the Bass gang, John Ringo, Mannings Clements and Brown Bowen.
Collins was sought by lawmen for crimes including cattle rustling, and fled Texas for Mexico. After that time cattleman John Collins moved into Ulvade Texas and became one of the five glorious Uvalde Minutemen, including Captain J. J. H. Patterson, Henry Patterson, W. B. Nichols, Tom Leakey and John Collins. These five fearless Minutemen did what the Texas Rangers could not do! After that time John Collins migrated into the western part of Old Socorro County. As reported by the Grant County Herald John Collins ushered the year 1875 out with a bang! On December 27, John Collins undertook to make a cold moist body out of James "Jim" Smith. He was arrested by Sheriff Whitehill and put into jail, later he bailed himself out for $60, and was so inclined to migrate into Lincoln County. He was in and around there for about five years. He became associated with Billy the Kid and fought in and all during the Lincoln County War on the McSween/Chisum/Cowmen's fraction. When the war was over both sides were still up in arms. The people who fought in the war were being persecuted and backwashed. Collins moved to the western part of Old Socorro County New Mexico. Collins Park in the Elk Mountain of today's Gila National Park was in tribute to Shotgun Collins. Billy the Kid was wanted at the time, and moving around often, and for a time Collins accompanied him. April 1879 John Collins was in Rynerson's Territory court in Lincoln New Mexico for rustling cattle and stealing horses.
He also met Wyatt Earp
, then working for Wells Fargo
, as well as Pat Garrett
. He later worked as a buffalo
hunter, and a US Cavalry Scout during the Army's struggle with Geronimo
and the Apache
. Collins was associated with the W-S Ranch. Eventually he came to own four ranches in old Socorro County, New Mexico as well as several ranches in Old Mexico until Pancha Villa Revolution. At that time Collins and his family escaped nearly losing their lives.
Collins had changed his name from Graham to his great grandfathers name when he left Texas, going by John Collins, to avoid trouble with the law on the earlier cattle rustling issue, but sometimes went by John Graham. Collins also worked, for a time, riding shotgun for Wells Fargo, and during this time his bond with Earp became strong. It was during this period that he became known, due to the numerous shootings he was involved in associated with his work, and from which his nickname "Shotgun" came.
Collins drifted for a time, through El Paso, Texas
, and later to Dodge City, Kansas
. At times he took part in outlaw
activities, while at others he served as a member of posse
s. In 1883 he came to Dodge City with Wyatt Earp to support Luke Short
during what became known as the Dodge City War
. In the famous photographs in which Wyatt Earp, Luke Short, Bat Masterson
, Charlie Bassett, M.F. McClain, Neal Brown, William H. Harris, and W.F. Petillion are pictured, as well as a less circulated copy that excludes Petillion and includes Bill Tilghman
, Collins was present, as well as Johnny Millsap, "Texas Jack" Vermillion
, and several others considered part of the "Dodge City Peace Commission". However they chose not to be in the photograph.
Collins left Dodge City, and Kansas altogether for a time, to try and make his fortune at the gambling tables on the riverboats of the Mississippi. He figured it'd be a lot easier and a might safer than what he was currently up to in Kansas. After few close calls (getting caught cheating mostly), he decided that gambling wasn't for him after all and returned to the more familiar setting of Dodge City, Kansas. However, before he left the Mississippi river boats for good, he did come upon a bit of good fortune and had won a beautifully engraved silver cased gentleman's watch in an all-night poker game at one of the shadier saloons in town. Nicer saloons like the old "Long Branch" had been gone for nearly twenty years by that time. It was a large pocket watch from the well known "National Watch Company", as it was known then, and later became the "Elgin Watch Company". It was probably the "purdiest thing I ever owned" he told his friend John Wesley Hardin. It was a beautifully engraved, silver cased 13 jewel timepiece with serial number 94148. From that day on, Collins always seemed to be wearing cleaner shirts and a waistcoat. Perhaps he was trying to provide a fine place to keep his latest acquisition?
John Graham, alias John Collins was with Uncle John at the Wig Wam Saloon in El Paso Texas when John Selman was shot by George Scarborough and later testified in the Selman murder trial. He was never involved in any well known gunfights, with most of his notoriety coming from his days riding shotgun for Wells Fargo, and his association with the other members of the Dodge City Peace Commission. He died in a gunfight at the age of 71, in El Paso, during a dispute.
Ironically the Old Ghost Horseman wasn't a bad man or a good man. He was a product of the times! He was on census throughout the Old West as John Collins, John Graham and Abraham Graham with wives and children. Outlaw "Shotgun" Collins was buried in an unmarked grave under his given name Abe Graham in the Catholic Section of El Paso's Concordia Cemetery in the same section as his old partners John Wesley Hardin and John Selman.
Grave Direction: {Gateway West Gate Entrance} Immediate to right by Concordia Wall to Jewish Wall, Section X, Lot 7, and Grave 6.}
Biography
Born Abraham G. Graham, in Horry County, South CarolinaHorry County, South Carolina
Horry County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. This name honored Revolutionary War Hero, Peter Horry. Brigadier General Horry was born in South Carolina sometime around 1743 and started his distinguished military career in 1775 as one of 20 captains the Provincial Congress...
, Collins was raised in an old plantation
Plantation
A plantation is a long artificially established forest, farm or estate, where crops are grown for sale, often in distant markets rather than for local on-site consumption...
environment. His great grandfather, Captain Edward Connor, served in the South Carolina Militia
Militia
The term militia is commonly used today to refer to a military force composed of ordinary citizens to provide defense, emergency law enforcement, or paramilitary service, in times of emergency without being paid a regular salary or committed to a fixed term of service. It is a polyseme with...
during the American Revolution
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
, under Francis Marion
Francis Marion
Francis Marion was a military officer who served in the American Revolutionary War. Acting with Continental Army and South Carolina militia commissions, he was a persistent adversary of the British in their occupation of South Carolina in 1780 and 1781, even after the Continental Army was driven...
. His father, Hosea A. Graham, had married his first cousin Martha Ann Graham, and while Collins was still a child the family moved to Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
in covered wagons in 1859.
While living in Limestone County Texas teenagers Abe Graham, alias John Collins and John Wesley Hardin were partners, furthermore coming from stanch Confederate families. Hardin writes in his biography that John Collins was once married to one of his cousins (Tabitha Cox born in Bonham, Fannin County Texas) and comments while he was in Austin jail he met some noted men naming John Collins, Pipes and Herndon of the Bass gang, John Ringo, Mannings Clements and Brown Bowen.
Collins was sought by lawmen for crimes including cattle rustling, and fled Texas for Mexico. After that time cattleman John Collins moved into Ulvade Texas and became one of the five glorious Uvalde Minutemen, including Captain J. J. H. Patterson, Henry Patterson, W. B. Nichols, Tom Leakey and John Collins. These five fearless Minutemen did what the Texas Rangers could not do! After that time John Collins migrated into the western part of Old Socorro County. As reported by the Grant County Herald John Collins ushered the year 1875 out with a bang! On December 27, John Collins undertook to make a cold moist body out of James "Jim" Smith. He was arrested by Sheriff Whitehill and put into jail, later he bailed himself out for $60, and was so inclined to migrate into Lincoln County. He was in and around there for about five years. He became associated with Billy the Kid and fought in and all during the Lincoln County War on the McSween/Chisum/Cowmen's fraction. When the war was over both sides were still up in arms. The people who fought in the war were being persecuted and backwashed. Collins moved to the western part of Old Socorro County New Mexico. Collins Park in the Elk Mountain of today's Gila National Park was in tribute to Shotgun Collins. Billy the Kid was wanted at the time, and moving around often, and for a time Collins accompanied him. April 1879 John Collins was in Rynerson's Territory court in Lincoln New Mexico for rustling cattle and stealing horses.
He also met Wyatt Earp
Wyatt Earp
Wyatt Berry Stapp Earp was an American gambler, investor, and law enforcement officer who served in several Western frontier towns. He was also at different times a farmer, teamster, bouncer, saloon-keeper, miner and boxing referee. However, he was never a drover or cowboy. He is most well known...
, then working for Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo & Company is an American multinational diversified financial services company with operations around the world. Wells Fargo is the fourth largest bank in the U.S. by assets and the largest bank by market capitalization. Wells Fargo is the second largest bank in deposits, home...
, as well as Pat Garrett
Pat Garrett
Patrick Floyd "Pat" Garrett was an American Old West lawman, bartender, and customs agent who was best known for killing Billy the Kid...
. He later worked as a buffalo
American Bison
The American bison , also commonly known as the American buffalo, is a North American species of bison that once roamed the grasslands of North America in massive herds...
hunter, and a US Cavalry Scout during the Army's struggle with Geronimo
Geronimo
Geronimo was a prominent Native American leader of the Chiricahua Apache who fought against Mexico and the United States for their expansion into Apache tribal lands for several decades during the Apache Wars. Allegedly, "Geronimo" was the name given to him during a Mexican incident...
and the Apache
Apache
Apache is the collective term for several culturally related groups of Native Americans in the United States originally from the Southwest United States. These indigenous peoples of North America speak a Southern Athabaskan language, which is related linguistically to the languages of Athabaskan...
. Collins was associated with the W-S Ranch. Eventually he came to own four ranches in old Socorro County, New Mexico as well as several ranches in Old Mexico until Pancha Villa Revolution. At that time Collins and his family escaped nearly losing their lives.
Collins had changed his name from Graham to his great grandfathers name when he left Texas, going by John Collins, to avoid trouble with the law on the earlier cattle rustling issue, but sometimes went by John Graham. Collins also worked, for a time, riding shotgun for Wells Fargo, and during this time his bond with Earp became strong. It was during this period that he became known, due to the numerous shootings he was involved in associated with his work, and from which his nickname "Shotgun" came.
Collins drifted for a time, through El Paso, Texas
El Paso, Texas
El Paso, is a city in and the county seat of El Paso County, Texas, United States, and lies in far West Texas. In the 2010 census, the city had a population of 649,121. It is the sixth largest city in Texas and the 19th largest city in the United States...
, and later to Dodge City, Kansas
Dodge City, Kansas
Dodge City is a city in, and the county seat of, Ford County, Kansas, United States. Named after nearby Fort Dodge, the city is famous in American culture for its history as a wild frontier town of the Old West. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 27,340.-History:The first settlement of...
. At times he took part in outlaw
Outlaw
In historical legal systems, an outlaw is declared as outside the protection of the law. In pre-modern societies, this takes the burden of active prosecution of a criminal from the authorities. Instead, the criminal is withdrawn all legal protection, so that anyone is legally empowered to persecute...
activities, while at others he served as a member of posse
Posse comitatus (common law)
Posse comitatus or sheriff's posse is the common-law or statute law authority of a county sheriff or other law officer to conscript any able-bodied males to assist him in keeping the peace or to pursue and arrest a felon, similar to the concept of the "hue and cry"...
s. In 1883 he came to Dodge City with Wyatt Earp to support Luke Short
Luke Short
Western frontiersman Luke L. Short was a noted gunfighter, who had worked as a farmer, cowboy, whiskey peddler, army scout, dispatch rider, gambler and saloon keeper at various times during the four decades of his life.- Early life :...
during what became known as the Dodge City War
Dodge City War
The Dodge City War was a bloodless conflict that took place in 1883 in Dodge City, Kansas. It came at the close of the first 10 years of the city's history at a time when whiskey and saloons were fading as a dominant force in the city's politics....
. In the famous photographs in which Wyatt Earp, Luke Short, Bat Masterson
Bat Masterson
William Barclay "Bat" Masterson was a figure of the American Old West known as a buffalo hunter, U.S. Marshal and Army scout, avid fisherman, gambler, frontier lawman, and sports editor and columnist for the New York Morning Telegraph...
, Charlie Bassett, M.F. McClain, Neal Brown, William H. Harris, and W.F. Petillion are pictured, as well as a less circulated copy that excludes Petillion and includes Bill Tilghman
Bill Tilghman
William Matthew "Bill" Tilghman was a lawman in the American Old West.-Early life :Bill Tilghman was born in Fort Dodge, Iowa, on July 4, 1854. He became a buffalo hunter at age 15 and claimed he killed over 1000 bison over his five years of activity...
, Collins was present, as well as Johnny Millsap, "Texas Jack" Vermillion
Texas Jack Vermillion
John Wilson Vermillion , alias "Texas Jack" and later as "Shoot-Your-Eye-Out" Vermillion, was a gunfighter of the Old West known for his participation in the Earp vendetta ride and his later association with Soapy Smith.- Early life :...
, and several others considered part of the "Dodge City Peace Commission". However they chose not to be in the photograph.
Collins left Dodge City, and Kansas altogether for a time, to try and make his fortune at the gambling tables on the riverboats of the Mississippi. He figured it'd be a lot easier and a might safer than what he was currently up to in Kansas. After few close calls (getting caught cheating mostly), he decided that gambling wasn't for him after all and returned to the more familiar setting of Dodge City, Kansas. However, before he left the Mississippi river boats for good, he did come upon a bit of good fortune and had won a beautifully engraved silver cased gentleman's watch in an all-night poker game at one of the shadier saloons in town. Nicer saloons like the old "Long Branch" had been gone for nearly twenty years by that time. It was a large pocket watch from the well known "National Watch Company", as it was known then, and later became the "Elgin Watch Company". It was probably the "purdiest thing I ever owned" he told his friend John Wesley Hardin. It was a beautifully engraved, silver cased 13 jewel timepiece with serial number 94148. From that day on, Collins always seemed to be wearing cleaner shirts and a waistcoat. Perhaps he was trying to provide a fine place to keep his latest acquisition?
John Graham, alias John Collins was with Uncle John at the Wig Wam Saloon in El Paso Texas when John Selman was shot by George Scarborough and later testified in the Selman murder trial. He was never involved in any well known gunfights, with most of his notoriety coming from his days riding shotgun for Wells Fargo, and his association with the other members of the Dodge City Peace Commission. He died in a gunfight at the age of 71, in El Paso, during a dispute.
Ironically the Old Ghost Horseman wasn't a bad man or a good man. He was a product of the times! He was on census throughout the Old West as John Collins, John Graham and Abraham Graham with wives and children. Outlaw "Shotgun" Collins was buried in an unmarked grave under his given name Abe Graham in the Catholic Section of El Paso's Concordia Cemetery in the same section as his old partners John Wesley Hardin and John Selman.
Grave Direction: {Gateway West Gate Entrance} Immediate to right by Concordia Wall to Jewish Wall, Section X, Lot 7, and Grave 6.}
External links
- http://captyak.tripod.com/shotguncollins/
- List of Little Known Gunfighters from sptddog.com
- Bat Masterson Association with Shotgun Collins from legendsofamerica.com
- Shotgun Collins from blogs.ancestry.com