The January 23, 1902 article was widely reported in United States newspapers that in New Mexico, three brothers had been ambushed while riding horseback on the way back to their homes. Dick and John Spikes were killed and Fred Spikes was badly wounded, but managed to make it to the home of a neighbor who helped him to obtain medical treatment. The Arkansas Gazette article shown below ended by stating that Fred Spikes said that he knew the attacking party but would give no names.
At the time of their death, Dick Spikes was twenty years old and his brother John was twenty-nine. When he learned of the attack, another brother, Joseph Jefferson Spikes came from West Texas, retrieved his deceased brothers’ remains and carried them back to Crosby County in West Texas. They were buried in a small cemetery in Emma, Texas. Amazingly, the brother named Fred not only survived being shot in the groin and the side, he recovered from his wounds and lived to his eighties in Texas.
The day after the attack, an article appeared in some newspapers telling that the Spikes brothers had come across an unnamed gang of robbers who had just looted the Gross and Richards General Store in Tucumcari, New Mexico, after which they stole some horses from a mining camp and made their escape. The bandits engaged in a gun fight with the brothers when their paths crossed. A posse chasing the unidentified robbers said they had found a cave where some of the loot was stashed but the robbers themselves got away.
Mesa Redonda, where many of the parties lived, is a plateau of about 5,000 to 6,000 feet and was the location for natural caves that supposedly were used by bandits. The Spikes brothers’ ranch was about fifteen miles outside of Tucumcari near this mesa. It was then a rather remote area, and cattle operations were vulnerable to rustling. Fred, the surviving brother, maintained that the Spikes were honest ranchers, though locally they were accused from time to time by some of having stolen cattle on their ranch. As far as we can tell, there were never any charges brought against them for any crimes.
Over the next few weeks, conflicting accounts of the gunfight were published in newspapers. The Albuquerque Daily Citizen was quoted as carrying an article in mid February, 1902 that said the Spikes brothers were being served arrest warrants when the fatal gunfight occurred. However, no other contemporary mention of such warrants can be found. There was also another gang, the so-called Mesa Hawks Gang led by one Henry Hawkins, that was actively working in the area, and there is some speculation the Spikes were wrongly associated with these individuals. Other articles implied that it was the posse that had carried out the attack. These accounts were never reconciled and no one was ever charged with the deaths of Dick and John Spikes.
The Gholson and Spikes families had known each other back in Texas. There are stories that the long running disagreement between the families dates back to Civil War days, though neither Dick, John nor Fred Spikes was born until years after the Civil War. The father of the Spikes brothers, John Wesley Spikes, had served in Company G of the 12th Texas Cavalry of the Confederate Army during the war. He was no longer living when the attacks occurred, having passed away at about the age of fifty a few years earlier from injuries sustained when he was kicked by a horse on his ranch in Texas. Sam Gholson is believed also to have served in the Confederate Army, although not with John Wesley Spikes. The bad feelings between the two families is thought to somehow be related to the Civil War or events leading up to it. One possible explanation we have read was that Sam Gholson may have been compelled to enlist in the Confederate Army by John Wesley Spikes. If that was the cause, then Gholson would have been carrying on the disagreement after John Wesley Spikes died.
Sam Gholson was born about the same time as John Wesley Spikes and the two families had lived near one another in more than one location. As noted above, rumors of bad feelings existing between the two families persisted. Sam Gholson was a local rancher who also lived near the mesa. The Gholson name was well known in Texas. Sam Gholson had a younger brother by the name of Frank Gholson who was a Texas Ranger. Frank had personally known such individuals as General Sam Houston, General Edward Burleson and Thomas Ross. Their father, also named Sam Gholson, had served in the War of 1812 before coming to Texas. During his time as a Ranger, Frank served under Sul Ross and others, defending against the various tribes, and was serving under Ross when Cynthia Parker was recovered. At the time the Spikes brothers were killed, Frank resided in Central Texas and does not appear to have been involved in the Quay County matter in any way. The settlement of Gholson, Texas in McLennan County north of Waco on the Brazos River is named for Sam and Frank Gholson.
In 1929, some twenty-seven years after the deaths of the two Spikes brothers, historian J. Evetts Haley published a book that chronicled the history of the XIT Ranch. In it, the Spikes were referred to as outlaws. His source for this claim is unknown, though it could have come from other people that he knew. There were no conflicts between the owners of the XIT Ranch and the Spikes family as far as we know. Haley’s comment led Fred Spikes to file a lawsuit against the ranch, the publisher and Haley alleging libel and claiming damages. Fred also informed others in the Spikes family and as many as five to eight more lawsuits were filed. The defendants declined to pursue an out of court settlement with Fred. A trial of six months took place and the jury held for the defendants in this occasion, but other suits were lined up to follow. After the conclusion of the first trial, the defendants this time offered to settle, reportedly for $17,500. The publisher is believed to have withdrawn the unsold printed volumes and the author is said to have reworded the chapter which had mentioned the Spikes family. We do not have access to the before and after wording.
The questions remain. Were the Spikes wrongly labeled as being a gang and cattle rustlers? Did an old family disagreement play any role in the accusations and/or the attack against the Spikes? Did some other individuals carry out a vendetta against the Spikes? Who actually committed the Spikes killings? Now, over one hundred and twenty years later, no one will probably ever know for certain. The killers of the Spikes brothers were never identified or brought to justice.
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Texas History Notebook 
In January 1902, New Mexico Territory Law Enforcement set out to round up cattle thieves near the Mesa Redonda. Lawmen, under the watch of Guadalupe County Sheriff, Romero, armed with warrants, gathered a large posse of cowmen. When attempting to serve the warrants on the Spikes brothers a gunfight broke out resulting in the deaths of John and Dick Spikes, and Fred spikes being wounded. Information gathered from a libel suit testimony filed by Fred Spikes.
J. Evetts Haley wrote of the incident in his 1929 book – The XIT Ranch and the Early Days of the Llano Estacado. Haley mentioned some of the rustlers by name and was sued by Fred Spikes for libel.
A libel trial was held in Lubbock, Texas, the then home of Fred Spikes, in May of 1931. The trial lasted over four weeks. Newspapers reported that many, many (one account said 243) witnesses provided testimony.
“The Roswell Daily Record – June 3, 1931
“Former Sheriff Romero Testifies at Libel Suit
Story of old days in New Mexico Brought Libel Suit For $200,000 Damages
Lubbock, Tex.., June 3 – (AP) –
Cleofus Romero, former sheriff of San Miguel county, New Mexico, and member of the posse who shot and killed John and Dick Spikes and wounded Fred Spikes more than 25 years ago, testified today in the trial of the $200,000 libel suit brought by Fred Spikes against J. Evetts Haley and the trustees of the Capital Reservations Land Company.
Spikes alleged libelous statements were made in the book “The History of the X-I-T Ranch” written by Haley, in which the Spikes brothers were mentioned in connection with cattle rustling.
Romero, who served as sheriff of San Miguel County …. told of events leading up to the shooting and of the fight in which John and Dick Spikes were killed. He said they were asked to surrender on John Doe warrants for larceny of cattle…”
https://www.newspapers.com/…/the-roswell-daily-record/…
“The Brownsville Herald
Brownsville, Texas –
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In January 1902, New Mexico Territory Law Enforcement set out to round up cattle thieves near the Mesa Redonda. Lawmen, under the watch of Guadalupe County Sheriff, Romero, armed with warrants, gathered a large posse of cowmen. When attempting to serve the warrants on the Spikes brothers a gunfight broke out resulting in the deaths of John and Dick Spikes, and Fred spikes being wounded. Information gathered from a libel suit testimony filed by Fred Spikes.
J. Evetts Haley wrote of the incident in his 1929 book – The XIT Ranch and the Early Days of the Llano Estacado. Haley mentioned some of the rustlers by name and was sued by Fred Spikes for libel.
A libel trial was held in Lubbock, Texas, the then home of Fred Spikes, in May of 1931. The trial lasted over four weeks. Newspapers reported that many, many (one account said 243) witnesses provided testimony.
“The Roswell Daily Record – June 3, 1931
“Former Sheriff Romero Testifies at Libel Suit
Story of old days in New Mexico Brought Libel Suit For $200,000 Damages
Lubbock, Tex.., June 3 – (AP) –
Cleofus Romero, former sheriff of San Miguel county, New Mexico, and member of the posse who shot and killed John and Dick Spikes and wounded Fred Spikes more than 25 years ago, testified today in the trial of the $200,000 libel suit brought by Fred Spikes against J. Evetts Haley and the trustees of the Capital Reservations Land Company.
Spikes alleged libelous statements were made in the book “The History of the X-I-T Ranch” written by Haley, in which the Spikes brothers were mentioned in connection with cattle rustling.
Romero, who served as sheriff of San Miguel County …. told of events leading up to the shooting and of the fight in which John and Dick Spikes were killed. He said they were asked to surrender on John Doe warrants for larceny of cattle…”
https://www.newspapers.com/…/the-roswell-daily-record/…
Do you find it strange that “Cleofus Romero, former sheriff of San Miguel county, New Mexico, and member of the posse who shot and killed John and Dick Spikes and wounded Fred Spikes ” testified in this trial since you say the Spikes Brothers were murdered?
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“The Brownsville Herald
Brownsville, Texas –
XIT Libel Suit Won By Defendants
Lubbock, June 30. –(AP)–Verdict for the defendants in the liable suit of Fred Spikes, Lubbock, against J. Evetts Haley and trustees of the Capital Reservation lands, was returned in the 99th district court here Friday.
In its decision the jury found Thaved, Charles F. Harding, and Fredrick E French, all of Chicago, were publishers of the book, “The XIT ranch in Texas”, written by J. Evetts Haley of Austin and that allegations contained in the book concerning the alleged reputation of the Spikes brothers were correct. It was the claim of the plaintiff that the alleged statements were false and libelous, and the basis for the suit.”
The news article seems to state that – the jury ruled that Haley’s portrayal of the Spikes Brothers as rustlers was correct.
Ira Aten, Ex-Texas Sheriff, member of the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and XIT Ranch foreman at the time of the incident, wrote in his book Rawhide Ranger “And the Jury in that (Spikes) case vindicated my story and refused to give the Spikes family a cent of damages.”
A Photo from – Center for Southwest Research, University Libraries, University of New Mexico shows-
“Hideout of Hawkins and Spikes
Photograph shows a group of men and women posing in front of an underground hideout. Text on reverse reads “This is the famous rendezvous of Hawkins and Spikes, notorious New Mexican desperados, killed in 1902.”
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Hello!
I came across this website and I wanted to let you know these brothers are relatives. These brothers are my great-great-great grandfather’s brothers. Wesley Ernest Spikes is my grandfather. I wanted to ask if you had more information.
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No, sorry, I don’t.
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“Did an old family disagreement play any role in the accusations and/or the attack against the Spikes? ”
If your suggesting that the old family disagreement was between the Gholson and Spikes family – Testimony in the 1931 showed that Jeff Spikes had worked for Sam Gholson in the recent past…
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“The Arkansas Gazette article shown below ended by stating that Fred Spikes said that he knew the attacking party but would give no names.”
Would you give up the names of a “band of murders” if they killed two of your brothers and nearly killed you?
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Albuquerque daily citizen. [volume], January 29, 1902, Page 3
“The Albuquerque Daily Citizen was quoted as carrying an article in mid FEBRUARY, 1902 that said the Spikes brothers were being served arrest warrants when the fatal gunfight occurred. However, no other contemporary mention of such warrants can be found. ”
Albuquerque Daily Citizen January 29, 1902, Page 3
“TWO DEAD ROBBERS
(Dick and John Spikes were killed during this incident)
And the “Spikes Gang” of Thieves is Shattered
For some time the “Spikes Gang” of lawbreakers has been a terror to the respectable citizens in the vicinity of Logon, N. M. says the Las Vegas Record. The outlaw band has robbed stores, stolen and killed cattle and did not hesitate to do anything lawless or depraved…
…It was five of these thieves that sheriff Romero arrested last summer for cattle stealing. Four of them were found not guilty on what was believed to be perjured testimony of their relatives and sympathizers but the fifth was convicted and now in the penitentiary….
…the law abiding people of that section of New Mexico will feel easier when the rest of the gang are either dead or in the penitentiary.
…
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“A trial of six months took place and the jury held for the defendants in this occasion, but other suits were lined up to follow. After the conclusion of the first trial, the defendants this time offered to settle, reportedly for $17,500. The publisher is believed to have withdrawn the unsold printed volumes and the author is said to have reworded the chapter which had mentioned the Spikes family. We do not have access to the before and after wording.”
A trial was held in Lubbock, Texas, the home of Fred Spikes, in May of 1931. The trial lasted over four weeks. Newspapers reported that many, many (one account said 243) witnesses provided testimony..
Fred Spikes sued and lost. The jury ruled that Haley’s portrayl of the Spikes Brothers as outlaws was correct. The XIT settled the next several cases (Spikes had kin file multiple lawsuits), out of court for an amount said to be $17,500 to avoid more court time. See “The Flamboyant Judge” by James D. Hamlin for an informative history of the case.
The chapter was reworded and the book with the original wording are rare and prized by collectors. It is known by collectors as THE XIT RANCH OF TEXAS And the Early Days of the Llano Estacado – “Horned Version.” This version brings a handsome price.
And I do have access to the before and after wording.
So if you believe the trial testimony of Ira Aten, Ex-Texas Sheriff, member of the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and XIT Ranch foreman at the time of the incident, the Cleofus Romero, former sheriff of San Miguel County, New Mexico, and member of the posse who shot and killed John and Dick Spikes and wounded Fred Spikes and other witnesses who testified during the trial, you know how two members of the “Spikes Gang” were killed and another wounded – and it certainly doesn’t appear to be “Murder”! You may want to consider changing the title of this article.
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You make some very good points. I changed “murders” to “killings.” Do you have access to any of the testimony? The main impression I came I came away with was that the Gholson family did not have anything to do with it.
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I have access to the some of the newspaper reports concerning the Fred Spikes libel lawsuit which Spikes lost. The court ruled that the Haley book accurately represented the Spikes as outlaws.
From the newspaper reports, Guadalupe County Sheriff, Romero, armed with warrants, gathered a large posse of cowmen. “He said when they were asked to surrender on John Doe warrants for larceny of cattle” a gunfight broke out in which John and Dick Spikes were killed.
Local Quay County historians have written of this incident and the history they write is nothing like the romanticized feud story that circulated many years after the incident.
“J. Evetts Haley: A True Texas Legend by Bill Modisett (Staked Plains) details the life and career of one of the most remarkable men of our time. Perhaps best known for his blockbuster political polemics—such as the bestselling exposé of Lyndon Johnson, A Texan Looks at Lyndon—J. Evetts Haley was also the author of several highly acclaimed historical works—including Charles Goodnight: Cowman and Plainsman and The XIT Ranch of Texas.”
Thank you for posting some of the facts involving this incident.
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I would like to read what Haley originally wrote. I already have the XIT book with the revised text. If you would not mind sharing it, I would like to read it. Can we switch to email?
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Did you get this email?
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Nothing other than the comment here. I emailed you from a gmail address to your email address.
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Just for the sake of keeping history correct-
YOU SAY-
“The Gholson name was well known in Texas. Sam Gholson had a younger brother by the name of Frank Gholson who was a Texas Ranger.”
Sam Gholson also rode with the Texas Rangers. He was also appointed Sheriff of Hamilton County by Governor A. J. Hamilton on September 11, 1865 and served until June 25, 1866.
YOU SAY-
“Their father, also named Sam Gholson, had served in the War of 1812 before coming to Texas. ”
Their father was actually Albert Gholson – Who was in command in a Company of soldiers in General Sam Houston’s Army at the Battle of San Jacinto on April 21, 1836 – 34 days prior to his eighteenth birthday – source – The Texas State Historical Association. Albert also served in the Texas Rangers.
Albert Gholson’s father was Colonel Sam Gholson who served in the war of 1812 in the Kentucky Volunteers before coming to Texas.
YOU SAY-
“The settlement of Gholson, Texas in McLennan County north of Waco on the Brazos River is named for Sam and Frank Gholson.”
The settlement of of Gholson, Texas actually got it’s name from the Mexican Land Grant on April 25, 1835, of one league (4,444 acres) of land in Robertson’s Colony (presently McLennan County, Texas) to (Colonel) Samuel Gholson, the Grandfather of the Sam and Frank Gholson.
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Just for the sake of keeping history correct-
YOU SAY-
YOU SAY-
“The Albuquerque Daily Citizen
was quoted as carrying an article in mid February, 1902 that said the Spikes brothers were being served arrest warrants when the fatal gunfight occurred. However, no other contemporary mention of such warrants can be found.”
“The Roswell Daily Record – June 3, 1931
“Former Sheriff Romero Testifies at Libel Suit
Story of old days in New Mexico Brought Libel Suit For $200,000 Damages
Lubbock, Tex.., June 3 – (AP) –
Cleofus Romero, former sheriff of San Miguel county, New Mexico, and member of the posse who shot and killed John and Dick Spikes and wounded Fred Spikes more than 25 years ago, testified today in the trial of the $200,000 libel suit brought by Fred Spikes against J. Evetts Haley and the trustees of the Capital Reservations Land Company.
Spikes alleged libelous statements were made in the book “The History of the X-I-T Ranch” written by Haley, in which the Spikes brothers were mentioned in connection with cattle rustling.
Romero, who served as sheriff of San Miguel County …. told of events leading up to the shooting and of the fight in which John and Dick Spikes were killed. He said they were asked to surrender on John Doe warrants for larceny of cattle...”
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Thanks for your comments.
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