The Pat Garrett Connection
John Wesley Hardin's surprise connection with Pat Garrett
On the most recent episode of The Wild West Extravaganza, we discussed the Sutton-Taylor feud and its many participants, including Sutton faction leader James W. Cox.
What I failed to mention, however, was Cox’s son, William Webb Cox, who also took part in the feud alongside his father.
As a matter of fact, in September of 1876, William helped gun down Dr. Phillip Brassell and his son George near Yorktown, Texas. Cox was arrested for this murder but soon fled west to New Mexico and reinvented himself as the respected businessman and rancher W.W. Cox.
Here’s where things get interesting. Skip ahead over 30 years, and Cox was almost certainly involved in the death of famed lawman Pat Garrett.
Garrett’s “official” killer, Jesse Wayne Brazel, once worked as a ranch hand for Cox and, by 1908, had leased property from Garrett’s son, Dudley. A ton of drama ensued, which involved Deacon Jim Miller (related to Hardin by marriage) and even Hardin’s young cousin Manny Clements.
Although no motives have been conclusively proven, it’s thought Cox orchestrated the entire saga to seize Garrett’s property. Sure enough, in the end, Pat’s ranch ended up in the hands of W.W. Cox, who – so the story goes – then used it to conceal a human smuggling operation.
The entire saga of Garrett’s final days is a real doozy - even without mentioning the aliens! If you’d like to learn more, check out the series I did on Pat or even just the last episode in the series where I discussed Cox, Deacon Jim, and Brazel.
This Wednesday, January 24th, we’ll finish the series on John Wesley Hardin, discussing his time behind bars and his final days in El Paso. Fair warning: It’s going to get a tad bit controversial! If you haven’t already, subscribe to The Wild West Extravaganza wherever you listen to podcasts and/or YouTube so you don’t miss out!