THE BANDITTI OF THE PLAINS, OR THE CATTLEMEN'S INVASION OF WYOMING IN 1892. [THE CROWNING INFAMY OF THE AGES]

Cheyenne: Privately printed by A. S. Mercer, [1894]., 1894. First edition. First edition. 8vo. Original black pebbled cloth, 139 pp., preface, introductory, illustrated. The original 1894 edition is one of the great rarities of Western Americana. This account of the infamous Johnson County War was impounded upon printing due to a libel suit by the several big cattlemen who strongly objected to its content. "Although historians have since questioned some of Mercer's conclusions about the Johnson County range war, they have never controverted the facts of the cattlemen-homesteader struggle as he grimly reported them. With the intention of 'executing' alleged rustlers and terrorizing the homesteaders, a band of fifty-two cattlemen and hired gunmen invaded Johnson Country, Wyoming, in April 1892. After besieging and killing 'the bravest man in Johnson County,' the raiders in turn found themselves besieged by the homesteaders and finally in the protective custody of the United States cavalry. Further legal and illegal maneuvering permitted the invaders to go unpunished, but the cattlemen never again attempted to retain their hold over the range with organized mob violence." Six Score 79: "One of the most famous range books. A lot of confusion exists about this book, due to its supposed suppression and the vitriolic nature of the content. Mercer, a promoter and newspaper editor, wrote the book as an attack on the actions of the Wyoming Stock Growers Association during the Johnson County War. The work is usually listed as being published in Cheyenne; however, both of Mercer's children maintain that it was printed in Denver." This copy has laid-in a tan mailing envelope, two pieces of paper with previous owner's notes regarding this copy, and a printed e-mail concerning provenance of this copy. Binding starting to loosen, former owner's inked name at top of front free fly leaf, else a very good copy housed in a clamshell case with titles stamped in gilt on the spine.