Barney K. Riggs: The Yuma and Pecos Avenger (review)

Abstract

2oo8 Book Reviews225 the decline of family-owned chain stores in Texas. Large companies, such as Eckerd's and (one can assume) Walmart, began to change the relationship between citizens and their communities. In addition, the impact of the corporate raider on American business could be further studied. Finally, a historian could review the differences, briefly mentioned by Nance, between the development of the business cultures of Dallas and Houston. Harold Simmons despised the term corporate raider. Historians or lawyers may create a definition of the term, butJohn Nance provides a significant counterweight to any application of it to Harold Simmons. As Harold Simmons might say, "Never bring in the lawyers until the deal is done." Oklahoma State UniversityCarter Mattson Barney K. Riggs: The Yuma and Pecos Avenger. By Ellis Lindsey and Gene Riggs. (Privately printed, pp. xxiv+342. Forward, illustrations, maps, epilogue, appendix, bibliography, index. ISBN: 1-4010-7061-2. $29.69, cloth. ISBN: 14010 -7060-4. $19.54, paper.) In popular histories of the U.S. West, Barney Riggs has received occasional mention for his gun battles. The authors of Barney K Riggs: The Yuma and Pecos Avenger argue that Riggs "demonstrated two of the greatest acts of bravery and heroism in the annals of the Old West" (p. xv), and they attempt in tiieir book, to enhance his profile. Born in 1856, Riggs spent his formative years in Bell County, Texas, before moving with family members to Arizona around 1880. During the time Riggs spent there, the Southwest was riddled with violence. Six years after arriving in Arizona, he faced a life sentence in the Yuma prison for murdering Richmond Hudson. According to testimony at the trial, Hudson died as a result of his boasting in public about an affair with the defendant's wife. The first part of this book focuses on Riggs's incarceration and his first "act of heroism." In 1887 a group of Mexican inmates attempted to escape by seizing and stabbing die prison superintendent. Riggs, who happened to be in the middle of the fray, grabbed a pistol and shot their leader. The governor granted Riggs a full pardon for having defended the prison. Riggs returned to Texas and settled near Pecos, about 200 miles from El Paso. By the end of the nineteenth century, Pecos had become embroiled in a bloody feud. The violence culminated in a battle between Riggs and two opposing gunmen, members of the Miller gang. Riggs triumphed and was often credited with bringing peace to the community. The authors, Gene Riggs and Ellis Lindsay, are relatives of their subject: Gene Riggs is the grandson and Ellis Lindsey the first cousin twice removed of Barney K Riggs. Thus, it is unsurprising that this biography often celebrates its subject and at times requires a richer assessment of Barney Riggs' character. The authors' apologist attitude regarding Riggs's unpleasant characteristics prevents the reader from understanding the complexity of western history and the role Riggs played in it. For instance, the authors acknowledge, but ultimately discount , evidence of abuse in Riggs's relationship with his second wife, Annie 226Southwestern Historical QuarterlyOctober Frazer Johnson. For the authors, such knowledge should "not detract from his accomplishments" (p. xxi). Perhaps, but one can argue that Riggs's accomplishments should not serve as cover for his violent outbursts. Indeed, given diat the authors want us to celebrate Riggs's gun battles, understanding his other violent outbursts might provide insight into his general motivation. Moreover, the book's descriptions of people and circumstances surrounding Riggs are mostly one-dimensional. Too often, the authors describe Riggs's enemies simply as "evil." Similarly, in the often volatile communities where Riggs lived, people frequently clashed over ideas about race, gender, and national identity . Yet, there is little discussion of these in Riggs's life. The authors provide a rousing image of Riggs and it is clear diat the book was a labor of love. They seem to have searched for every piece of information diey could find and took care to reproduce several rare documents. Moreover, they take both amateur and professional historians to task for previously sloppy research on Riggs. Still, the book's lack of adequate citations...