Blood on the Open Range: The True Story of the Johnson County War

Howdy, Chip Schweiger, here.  Welcome to another edition of Way Out West. 

The podcast that takes you on a journey through the stories of the American West, brings you the very best cowboy wisdom, and celebrates the cowboys and cowgirls who are feeding a nation. 

There’s a certain kind of magic in the Wyoming sky at sunrise—when the world is painted in gold and the air is thick with promise. Out here, the land stretches on forever, wild and untamed, and every breeze seems to whisper stories of hope, heartbreak, and hard-fought dreams.

But beneath that endless sky, love for the land ran just as deep as the grudges that grew between neighbor and stranger. In the heart of Johnson County, passions burned hot—sometimes for a patch of green grass, sometimes for a way of life, and sometimes for justice itself.

So, today on the show, we’re telling the story of where cattle barons and small ranchers gambled everything for what they believed in. It’s a tale of midnight ambushes, desperate stand-offs, and the kind of courage that only the wide-open West could inspire. And like all the best legends, it’s a little bit tragic, a little bit hopeful, and a whole lot unforgettable.

After the episode, check out the show notes at WayOutWestPod.com/Johnson-County-War

[Short Music Break]

Welcome back.

Now, if you’ve ever pictured the Old West as a place where cattle barons and small-time ranchers squared off in dusty showdowns, well, you’re not far off. The Johnson County War was the real deal—a range war filled with ambushes, standoffs, and enough intrigue to fill a whole season of westerns.

Let’s saddle up and ride back to the 1890s, right into the heart of Wyoming.

Chapter 1 – Setting the Stage

Back in the late 19th century, Wyoming was wide-open country. The land was rich, the grass was tall, and the cattle business was booming. But with opportunity came conflict. Big cattle barons—folks with thousands of head of cattle and a whole lot of money—started to feel threatened by smaller ranchers and homesteaders moving in.

Cattle barons claimed the open range as their own, but the law said otherwise. The Homestead Act meant anyone could stake a claim, settle down, and start raising cattle. It didn’t take long for tempers to flare.

Chapter 2 - Rustlers, Accusations, and Rising Tensions

With so many cattle roaming free, it was easy for a few to go missing. The big ranchers blamed so-called “rustlers”—folks they claimed were stealing cattle right under their noses. But sometimes, “rustler” was just a label slapped on any small rancher who got in the way.

Tensions rose as the Wyoming Stock Growers Association, representing the big cattle interests, started taking matters into their own hands. They hired detectives, posted rewards, and kept a close eye on their neighbors. Meanwhile, small ranchers felt bullied and boxed out, just trying to make an honest living.

Chapter 3 - The Powder Keg Explodes

In April of 1892, things finally boiled over. The big cattle barons, frustrated by what they saw as lawlessness, assembled a group of hired guns—about 50 men, including Texas gunmen and a few “detectives.” Their mission? Ride into Johnson County, flush out the so-called rustlers, and teach them a lesson.

Their first target was a small ranch called the KC Ranch, where they believed two suspected rustlers—Nate Champion and Nick Ray—were holed up. What followed was a dramatic standoff.

Chapter 4 - The Siege at KC Ranch

At dawn on April 9th, the invaders surrounded the KC Ranch. Shots rang out, and Nick Ray was killed early in the fight. Nate Champion, though, held out for hours—writing in his diary as bullets flew. His last entry read, “They have just got through shelling the house like hail. I heard them splitting wood. I guess they are going to fire the house tonight.”

Eventually, the invaders set the cabin ablaze. Champion tried to make a run for it, guns blazing, but was cut down just outside the door. His bravery turned him into a local legend.

Chapter 5 - The Stand-Off in Buffalo

Word of the attack spread fast. Local ranchers and townsfolk in Buffalo, the county seat, rallied together. Hundreds of armed citizens rode out to confront the invaders, who had holed up at the TA Ranch, just south of town.

For days, it was a tense siege. The invaders barricaded themselves in the barn, while the locals surrounded the property. It was a true Wild West standoff—neither side willing to back down.

Finally, the U.S. Cavalry rode in from Fort McKinney, sent by the governor (and, rumor has it, nudged by President Benjamin Harrison, who was worried about a full-blown range war). The cavalry escorted the invaders out of Johnson County, saving them from an angry mob.

Chapter 6 - Aftermath and Impact

So, what happened after the dust settled? Well, not a single one of the invaders was ever convicted. The big cattle interests had deep pockets and powerful friends. But the Johnson County War changed the West forever.

The days of the open range were numbered. Laws tightened up, and the power of the big cattle barons started to fade. Small ranchers and homesteaders gained more protection, and the myth of the cowboy as a lone hero fighting for what’s right only grew stronger.

Ok, let’s take a real quick break, but when we come back we’ll talk about what we can take away from this, as well as play a little Did You Know?

Don’t wander off—be right back.

[Music]

Chapter 7 - Lessons from Johnson County

Hi there, and welcome back. So, what can we take away from the Johnson County War here in the modern day?

First off, it’s a reminder that conflict often grows from fear—fear of losing what we’ve worked for, fear of change, fear of being pushed aside. The cattle barons and small ranchers weren’t just fighting over land or cattle; they were fighting for their futures, their families, and their way of life. That’s something just about anyone can relate to, whether you’re running a ranch, a business, or just trying to carve out your own place in the world.

Second, the Johnson County War shows us the danger of letting power go unchecked. When the rules only serve the folks at the top, and the little guy doesn’t get a fair shake, trouble isn’t far behind. It’s a lesson in the importance of fairness, justice, and making sure everyone has a seat at the table.

And maybe most importantly, it’s a story about resilience. The folks out in Johnson County—on both sides—faced incredible odds and hard choices. But out of all that struggle came change. The West didn’t stay wild forever, but it did become a place where more voices could be heard and more dreams could take root.

So whether you’re a rancher, a city slicker, or just someone who loves a good story, the Johnson County War reminds us: stand up for what’s right, look out for your neighbors, and never underestimate the power of ordinary folks to shape the world around them.

Chapter 8 - Did You Know?

Alright, it’s time for a little “Did You Know?”—where we dig up some of the wildest facts from way out west.

Did You Know…

• The Johnson County War inspired Hollywood: The drama and larger-than-life characters of the Johnson County War have inspired countless books, movies, and TV shows—including the classic film Heaven’s Gate and even elements of Shane.
• Nate Champion’s diary survived: During the siege at the KC Ranch, Nate Champion kept a diary as bullets flew. His final, haunting entries were later found and published, turning him into a folk hero.
• The TA Ranch still stands: The barn where the invaders holed up during the siege is still standing in Johnson County, Wyoming. You can visit it today and see bullet holes from the battle!
• A war of words, too: Newspapers across the country followed the Johnson County War closely, turning local cowboys and ranchers into national news—and stirring up plenty of controversy about justice on the frontier.

Some cool stuff here.

Today, the Johnson County War lives on in western lore—told in books, movies, and, of course, podcasts like this one. It’s a story of greed, courage, and the struggle for justice on the frontier.

It reminds us that the West wasn’t just shaped by six-shooters and cattle drives, but by everyday folks standing up for themselves, sometimes against impossible odds.

Chapter 9 - Cowboy Glossary

OK, before we wrap up this week, we’ve got one more thing. And at this point, if you’ve been listening to enough episodes, you know what it is.

[BULL SOUND]

Yep, that distinctive call from Buster the Bull means it’s time for the cowboy glossary term of the week. 

And today, the term is “Rustler”

In the Old West, a rustler was someone who stole cattle or livestock—basically, a cowboy’s worst enemy. Rustling was a serious crime, and in places like Johnson County, just being accused of it could get you in a heap of trouble.

Back in the days of the Johnson County War, being called a rustler could land you in a world of hurt—even if you were just an honest rancher trying to make your way.

[OUTRO MUSIC]

Chapter 10 – Thanks for Listening

Well, my friend, that’s it for this episode of Way Out West. 

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, give us a review, and share it with your friends. 

This is Chip Schweiger reminding you to keep your boots dusty, your spirit wild, and your stories alive.

We’ll see y’all down the road.