 Defendants in the Spring Creek Raid case. Clockwise from top left: Herbert Brink, Ed Eaton, George Saban, Tommy Dixon and Milton Alexander. | |
| Date | April 2, 1909 |
|---|---|
| Location | Near Ten Sleep, Wyoming, USA |
| Also known as | Tensleep murders, Tensleep raid |
| Outcome | Sheepherders killed |
| Deaths | 3 |
The Spring Creek raid, also known as the Tensleep Murders or the Tensleep Raid, occurred in 1909 and was the last serious conflict during the Sheep Wars in Wyoming, as well as the deadliest sheep raid in the state's history. On the night of April 2, the sheepherder Joe Allemand and four of his associates were encamped along Spring Creek, near the town of Ten Sleep, when a group of seven masked cattlemen attacked them. It remains uncertain as to whether or not an exchange of gunfire took place between the two parties, but evidence suggests that Allemand and two of his men were executed while the remaining two escaped unharmed. Two sheep wagons were also destroyed by fire and about two dozen head of sheep were shot to death. Seven men were arrested for the crime, two of whom turned state's evidence and were acquitted. The rest were found guilty and sent to prison for sentences ranging from three years to life in prison. The conviction of the Tensleep murderers effectively put an end to the killings on the open range and exemplified the arrival of law and order in a region that still retained its rugged frontier environment after the end of the 19th century. Although there continued to be sheep raids in Wyoming into the 1910s, there were no more deaths.[1][2][3]
- ^ Elman, Robert (1974). Badmen of the West. The Ridge Press, Inc. ISBN 0-600-313530.
- ^ "Conflict on the Range: On the trail of the Colorado and Wyoming sheep and cattle wars". Candy Moulton. August 28, 2011. Archived from the original on September 15, 2013. Retrieved June 27, 2012.
- ^ "Night Riders of Norwood - Western Heritage Studios - Cody Wyoming". L.D. Edgar. Retrieved June 27, 2012.