George Scarborough

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George Scarborough (October 2, 1859 - April 5, 1900) was a cowboy, lawman, and possible outlaw (disputed) who lived during the time of the Wild West.

Contents

[edit] Early life, controversial killing

George Scarborough was born in Louisiana. His family moved to Texas, where for a while he worked as a cowboy. In 1885, he was appointed sheriff for Jones County. He would later work as a Deputy US Marshal in and around El Paso, Texas. On June 21, 1895, while working alongside El Paso police chief Jeff Milton, Scarborough shot and killed Martin McRose, a Texas rustler. McRose is buried near John Wesley Hardin, and Texas Ranger Ernest St. Leon. Jeff Milton was Chief of Police in El Paso at that time, and Scarborough was a US Marshal. McRose had been captured, and was killed while being brought back from Mexico by the two lawmen on an outstanding warrant. Outlaw and gunman John Wesley Hardin claimed that he had paid Scarborough and Milton to kill Martin McRose. Milton and Scarborough were arrested, but Hardin later withdrew his comments and the men were released.

Scarborough became well known for his unusual tactics when tracking a wanted outlaw. Often, he would drop himself down to the level of those he was pursuing. This tactic was extremely effective, and made him a feared man among the outlaw element. There have always been rumors indicating that Scarborough was at times involved in unlawful actions. However, there is no definite evidence of this.

[edit] Killing of John Selman

On August 18, 1895, lawman/outlaw John Selman shot and killed John Wesley Hardin in the back of the head while Hardin was standing at the Acme Saloon Bar in El Paso. Scarborough had long been feuding with Selman. The latter had shot and killed a Texas Ranger named Bass Outlaw on April 5, 1894, who was a close friend to Scarborough. Selman had been tried for the shooting, but found not guilty.

On the second anniversary of his friend's death, Scarborough called Selman into the back alley behind the Wigwam Saloon, the two men argued and began fighting. Both drew their guns, and Scarborough fatally shot Selman. Due to Selman's bad reputation (a known rapist, murderer, and cattle rustler) Scarborough escaped punishment. Scarborough then moved to Deming, New Mexico, where he worked as a gunman for the Grant County Cattlemen's Association. He was also associated with the arrest of Pearl Hart.

[edit] Death

On April 1, 1900 Scarborough was involved in a shoot-out with George Stevenson and James Brooks. He killed one of the men, but during the shootout he was shot in the leg and was taken back to Deming where he had his leg amputated. He died four days later - coincidentally six years to the day after the death of his friend Texas Ranger Bass Outlaw and four years after he shot Bass' killer, John Selman.

[edit] References

  • Tombstone of Martin M'Rose
  • Tombstone of George Scarborough
  • El Paso, Texas Police Department
  • "George Scarborough: the life and death of a lawman on the closing frontier"

by Robert K. DeArment

  • "Fearless Dave Allison: Border Lawman"

by Bob Alexander

  • Scarborough Family Genealogy