Biker Living
October 2013
The Road to Mason
Johnny Ringo, Mason Texas and the Hoodoo War ...
This story involves the infamous Johnny Ringo, who became involved in a blood feud, spawning the Mason County War, also known as the Hoodoo War.
German settlers were the predominant inhabitants of Mason County. The backsplash on this is; the German's, with aspirations of becoming American citizens, supported the Union during the Civil War. Hostility flared between the Confederate locals and their new neighbors.
If you are heading south on US-77 and emerge on the south side of town, you must to lean to the right. As you straighten up from the long, sweeping curve, the view will dramatically change. "What, am I in the Ouachita Mountains?" Drat, it only lasts for a few blinks but it is an unexpected treat. At the apex of your climb, look to your right. Slow down, thumb your blinker, turn into the Monument Hill State Park.
In May 1875 Tim Williamson was accused of cattle rustling. While the Deputy Sheriff John Wohrle was escorting Williamson, a mob of Germans descended upon them. When Williamson tried to make his escape, Wohrle shot his horse. The Germans shot Williamson repeatedly, until he was dead. When Scott Cooley got word of the deed he broke down and cried, grieving the death of his best friend.
When the Mason County grand jury failed to issue any indictments for the murder of Williamson, Cooley took matters into his own hands. Cooley killed Deputy Sheriff Worhle and scalped him.
As you can imagine, things really began to heat up. It was not long after that Johnny Ringo's close friends, Moses Baird and George Gladden, were lured into coming to town. On their way an ambush party, led by Sheriff John Clark, waylaid them with guns blazing. Baird was killed and Gladden seriously wounded.
Eight men, including Johnny Ringo, entered the town of Mason. Ringo and Bill Williams broke off from the others and rode up to James Cheyney's house, a man thought to be responsible for the ambush. Ringo and Williams shot Cheyney dead.
This is but a snippet of the doings during the Hoodoo war. Johnny Ringo went on to greater infamy. He was arrested, more than once, and transported from one county to the next. During one of his incarcerations, Ringo became fast friends with John Wesley Hardin, which many regard as the most notorious gunman in western history.
I find it amusing that after all Ringo did and the many accusations leveled against him, the murder charges were dismissed; he was later elected constable of Loyal Valley, which is in Mason County.
What happened to Scott Cooley is unclear. It is thought he passed away of natural causes or as the result of "brain fever" or possibly - lead poisoning.
After a peaceful ride through the countryside, you can rest easy riding into Mason. I did not see one gunfight. It is a very friendly, clean and peaceful town. The town square is beautiful; with a "Back to the Future" style courthouse. Enjoy lunch at Zavala's Mexican restaurant. They serve up as good a road-meal as anyone could ask for.
Ride safe - Cappy out.
Dave Wood at the Mason County Courthouse