By Phil Roberts, 11-18-25
Wyomingites who remember our history recall that no private armies are allowed in the state. It’s stated in the Constitution from the beginning of statehood in 1890. The wisdom of the ban was proven just two years later. Two dozen heavily armed gunmen (with no masks) were recruited from Texas and joined with about 60 cattle barons (including two signers of the Constitution) and their lackeys were intent on sending a secret private army to invade Johnson County. The leaders were angry because of rumors that “law and order” had broken down there and law enforcement had ignored the crime and even joined them to rustle cattle with impunity in the county, despite facts to the contrary. They thought they could go in to the county, kill whoever they thought was guilty, take over the county and everyone would cheer. No trials, no due process–they thought they could just do it. But their “invasion” plan failed. In a short time, county residents got out their guns and, en masse, surrounded the ranch where the invaders were holed up and were close to arresting them (or worse) when the invaders were rescued by the U. S. Army from Fort McKinney, called out by friends. They were “rescued” by being escorted to jails in the Cheyenne area. The incident had long-lasting effects–in politics and in law. The Johnson County (“War”, in southern Wyoming: the “Invasion” up North) should be a warning to all “invaders,” even tRump’s masked ICE Gestapo goons. People won’t tolerate a bunch of out-of-state invaders and their wealthy overlords trying to take over their hometowns. No kings. And stay out of Wyoming! Take the ICE goons somewhere that doesn’t have laws banning private armies!