History of the Chisum War; or, Life of Ike Fridge: stirring events of cowboy life on the frontier

“As Ike Fridge told the story to Jodie D. Smith (History of the Chisum War, or, Life of Ike Fridge), Billy visited a Mexican sheep herder’s camp…when the Mexican returned and objected, the Kid killed him.”-Billy the Kid: The Best Writings On The Infamous Outlaw (2008)

“Chisum alerted his cowboys and range riders…Ike Fridge, twice lucky, narrowly escaped being shot once again.”-John Simpson Chisum: Cattle King of the Pecos Revisited (2010)

“The cowboy…Isaac J. (Ike) Fridge, employee for plenty of years for Col. John Chisum…at all times declared the name was once ‘Chisum’ instead of Chisholm as most historians record it.” –Wichita Daily Times (Wichita Falls, Tex.)27 July 27, 1952

“Ike Fridge, 71…died at his home…Tuesday…in 1869 when Mr. Fridge was once 14 years of age he joined the ranks of Con. Chisum and went to the Chisum ranch…consisted of 3,000 Texas cattle.” –Times Record News (Wichita Falls, Tex.), July 16, 1927

“Funeral products and services for Jodie Downing Smith, 91, who died April 15th…he is the writer of the well known western book, ‘History of the Chisum War.'” –Electra Star-News, April 18, 1985

What events sparked the infamous Lincoln County War (a.k.a. the Chisum War) and what role did Chisum’s bullet-dodging cattle-hand Ike Fridge play in the conflict?

In 1900, Ike Fridge’s account of his cowboy days with the Chisum cattle outfit was once published as told to writer Jodie D. Smith in the book History of the Chisum War; or, Life of Ike Fridge.”

Cowboy Isaac “Ike” Fridge worked for John Chisum (1824-1884) the wealthy Texas cattle baron. In 1854, Chisum became engaged in the cattle business and became probably the most first to send his herds to New Mexico Territory. He obtained land along the Pecos River by right of occupancy and eventually became the owner of a large ranch in the Bosque Grande, about forty miles south of Fort Sumner, with over 100,000 head of cattle. In 1866-67, Chisum formed a partnership with cattlemen Charles Goodnight and Oliver Loving to assemble and drive herds of cattle for sale to the USA Army in Fort Sumner and Santa Fe, New Mexico, to provide cattle to miners in Colorado in addition to provide cattle to the Bell Ranch.

Ike Fridge in his book describes his part in the Lincoln County War, the conflict began between the Chisum outfit and another faction competing for profits from dry goods and cattle interests in New Mexico. The “war” became famous on account of the participation of “Billy the Kid.” Other notable participants included Sheriff William J. Brady, and Fridge’s employer cattle rancher John Chisum. The two sides gathered lawmen, businessmen, Tunstall’s ranch hands, and criminal gangs to their assistance.

About the authors:

Jodie Downing Smith died April 15, 1985. He was once editor of the Stockdale Times from 1913-14 and co-owner of the Electra Leader 1918-1919. He worked for the Electra News for many years and owner of Smith Printing Company in Electra. He started ranching in 1931 and became involved in oil production in the 1940s. He is the writer of the well known western book, “History of the Chisum War.”

Isaac J. Fridge, who went by the name “Ike Fridge” died July 12, 1927. He worked as a cowboy for the Chisum cattle outfit and later told his story to Jodie Smith who published it in the book “History of the Chisum War or, Life of Ike Fridge: stirring events of cowboy life on the frontier.”