Clay Allison
Clay Allison was born with a club foot September 2, 1840, the son of a minister. Violent swings characterized his adult behavior, likely as a result of a head injury. He enlisted to fight for the confederacy at the outbreak of the civil war. He was medically discharged in a few short months as a result of his erratic behavior. The following fall he reenlisted in 9th Tennessee Cavalry, serving as a scout and spy through the remainder of the war. Following his surrender, Allison was tried as a spy and convicted. Sentenced to face a firing squad the next day, he killed a guard and escaped.
Allison returned to Tennessee unbowed in defeat. His violent temper found expression for a time in white hoods and bedsheets. When union soldier called at the Allison farm with an order to seize property, Clay shot him for his trouble and with his brothers left for Texas. Clay turned to ranching on the Brazos River, becoming a capable cowhand. Still his temper dogged him. By one account, he settled a water rights dispute with a neighbor in a knife fight.
In 1870 Clay moved to Colfax County New Mexico, using proceeds of a cattle drive to homestead a ranch on the Canadian River north of Springer. The ranch prospered. Allison became well known in both Cimarron and Elizabethtown, where his raucous drunken escapades regularly shot up the town. In one incident in Elizabethtown Allison and friends broke into the jail removed an accused robbery suspect, threw a rope around his neck and dragged him through town behind a horse until he was then. Allison, cut off the head and carried it to Cimarron where it was mounted on a stake for all to see.
Allison had a penchant for showing his displeasure with someone by throwing his knife at them. In one incident hi pinned the county clerk to a door by the sleeve of his shirt. He similarly intimidated a young lawyer Melvin Mills who would bear him a grudge years later in the Colfax County War.
It’s hard to imagine Clay Allison shy and uncertain, but that’s how he came off around women. That’s the way things were until he met Dora McCullough and was smitten. A young orphan, Dora’s step-parents didn’t much care for Allison and his reputation. After the couple eloped the family got to reassess their appraisal. Clay somewhat settled down to married life and ranching.
In January 1974 gunny Jim Colbert came town looking for trouble. He found Clay Allison. The two men spent an affable day together while Colbert presumably sized up his chances. Toward evening Colbert invited Clay to have dinner with him. Colbert made his play under the table, which promptly deflected his aim. Allison made no such mistake.
Next Week: Colfax County War
Return to Facebook to comment.
Ride easy,
Paul
Allison returned to Tennessee unbowed in defeat. His violent temper found expression for a time in white hoods and bedsheets. When union soldier called at the Allison farm with an order to seize property, Clay shot him for his trouble and with his brothers left for Texas. Clay turned to ranching on the Brazos River, becoming a capable cowhand. Still his temper dogged him. By one account, he settled a water rights dispute with a neighbor in a knife fight.
In 1870 Clay moved to Colfax County New Mexico, using proceeds of a cattle drive to homestead a ranch on the Canadian River north of Springer. The ranch prospered. Allison became well known in both Cimarron and Elizabethtown, where his raucous drunken escapades regularly shot up the town. In one incident in Elizabethtown Allison and friends broke into the jail removed an accused robbery suspect, threw a rope around his neck and dragged him through town behind a horse until he was then. Allison, cut off the head and carried it to Cimarron where it was mounted on a stake for all to see.
Allison had a penchant for showing his displeasure with someone by throwing his knife at them. In one incident hi pinned the county clerk to a door by the sleeve of his shirt. He similarly intimidated a young lawyer Melvin Mills who would bear him a grudge years later in the Colfax County War.
It’s hard to imagine Clay Allison shy and uncertain, but that’s how he came off around women. That’s the way things were until he met Dora McCullough and was smitten. A young orphan, Dora’s step-parents didn’t much care for Allison and his reputation. After the couple eloped the family got to reassess their appraisal. Clay somewhat settled down to married life and ranching.
In January 1974 gunny Jim Colbert came town looking for trouble. He found Clay Allison. The two men spent an affable day together while Colbert presumably sized up his chances. Toward evening Colbert invited Clay to have dinner with him. Colbert made his play under the table, which promptly deflected his aim. Allison made no such mistake.
Next Week: Colfax County War
Return to Facebook to comment.
Ride easy,
Paul
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