The Old West was a crucible of lawlessness and nascent order, where the lines between hero and villain often blurred. Among the many tales of the era, the death of a sheriff stands out as a stark reminder of the volatile political landscape and the relentless pursuit of justice. This is the compelling true story of John Doherty, a sheriff whose life was cut short by a shadowy conspiracy in the heart of New Mexico Territory.
John Doherty, born in Donegal, Ireland, in 1851, embarked on an arduous journey across the Atlantic with his brothers, James and Joe, settling in Mora, New Mexico, during the mid-19th century. The Doherty family found prosperity on the frontier, with James becoming a recognized “wealthy ranchero.” John, however, forged a different reputation, becoming one of the most celebrated poker players in the West. Legends claim he carried a staggering $100,000 in gold, equivalent to nearly $2.5 million today, as his poker bankroll, playing only No Limit games and demanding high stakes from his opponents. One dramatic tale recounts his supposed challenge against Texas cattle baron Ike Johnson for the “Poker Champion of the West” title in 1889. In a pivotal hand, as bets escalated, Johnson allegedly offered a deed for his ranch and cattle, valued over $100,000. Unable to match, Doherty is said to have brandished a gun at the New Mexico Governor present, forcing him to sign a document that allowed Doherty to raise “the Territory of New Mexico!” Though a captivating narrative, this tale is likely apocryphal. At the time, John Doherty was the Sheriff of Mora County, an officer of the law and a politician, making such an act against the Governor highly improbable and professionally damaging. This legendary exploit, however, underscores his audacious character.
John Doherty: Lawman and Politician
John Doherty’s involvement with law enforcement began before his election as Sheriff. In 1880, he served as a deputy under Sheriff A.L. Branch, aiding in the pursuit of fugitives who had murdered the Marshall of Las Vegas, New Mexico. The two men surrendered under the promise of protection from mob violence, a promise tragically unfulfilled. Along with a third captured individual, they were brutally killed by a mob of approximately 100 locals before they could stand trial, a grim testament to the often brutal justice of the frontier.
The uniquely American tradition of electing police chiefs and sheriffs offered public accountability but also intertwined law enforcement with the shifting sands of politics. This entanglement ultimately proved to be John Doherty’s undoing. Elected Sheriff of Mora County in 1886 on the Democratic ticket, Doherty failed to secure his party’s nomination for re-election in 1890. The reasons remain debated; perhaps his poker reputation overshadowed his law enforcement achievements, or internal party politics played a role. Indeed, Doherty was not the only Democrat to be sidelined. In a bold move, he and several disenfranchised Democrats formed a “People’s Party” ticket, aligning with New Mexico Republicans. This tactic earned him the infamous nickname “Judas Doherty” from the more zealous Democratic papers. Despite his efforts, he lost the election to Agapito Abeytia Jr., the Democratic nominee. Though he retained the honorific “Sheriff” as per tradition, John Doherty’s official tenure as a lawman had concluded.
The Assassination of a Former Sheriff
Despite his electoral defeat, Doherty remained an influential figure in the New Mexico Territory (which would not achieve statehood until 1912). He was a prominent citizen, serving on the board that organized the Territorial Fair in Las Vegas. His potential aspirations to reclaim the Sheriff’s office in 1894 were never realized, as John Doherty was brutally murdered the year prior.
On the evening of December 9, 1893, John Doherty was in his office, reading his mail and newspaper, with two of his thirteen children sitting on his knees. His assassin, it is believed, approached the glassless window that formed the upper half of his office door. A slight creak may have alerted Doherty, who reportedly commented on someone stepping onto the porch just before the fatal shot. The killer fired a single bullet, which passed through Doherty’s arm before entering his chest. Had his arm not deflected the shot, it would have pierced his heart, killing him instantly. As it was, he lived long enough to instruct his twelve-year-old son, who had instinctively grabbed a pistol, not to fire into the darkness, a testament to his ingrained lawman’s caution. His reported last words, to those who rushed to his side, were simply, “Crime, crime! Let me die in peace.” The death of a sheriff of such standing sent shockwaves through the community.
The Investigation Begins: A Tangled Web
The assassination of such a prominent local figure ignited a furious response. John’s brother, James, immediately offered a $2,000 reward for information leading to the killers, a substantial sum. The Governor initially offered $50, later raising it to $500, for the capture of each individual involved. Sheriff Abeytia, Doherty’s successor, who had been out of town during the shooting, deployed bloodhounds to track the culprits, but this effort proved futile. Near the crime scene, investigators discovered two discarded goatskin masks and the tracks of two horses, suggesting at least two perpetrators. Further evidence of a calculated plot emerged with the discovery that Mora’s telephone lines had been cut that night, presumably to hinder immediate pursuit.
Initial arrests included Juan Romero, the county jailer, though the grounds for his apprehension remain unclear. Romero was soon released, and the case stalled for several months. A breakthrough occurred in February 1894 when Estanislado Sandoval, possibly motivated by the reward, testified under oath that Juan Antonio Rael, a notorious “bad man” credited with four killings, had attempted to recruit him for Doherty’s murder. A warrant was issued for Rael’s arrest. Sheriff Abeytia, along with deputies Juan Romero and Sostenes Lucero, tracked Rael to a woman’s house in La Cueva. Rael was not taken alive.
A Suspicious Death and Gubernatorial Intervention
The deputies claimed Rael initially complied but then attempted to escape, securing a gun and opening fire, forcing them to kill him. Local commentators, however, voiced strong suspicions. They argued that Rael, if guilty, was merely a hired hand, and his death conveniently shielded his employer. The woman in whose house Rael was found contradicted the deputies’ story, asserting he was shot while lying in bed, with no attempt to bring him in alive. The circumstances of Rael’s demise reeked of a cover-up, prompting the personal involvement of New Mexico Governor William Taylor Thornton.
Governor Thornton, a Confederate veteran of the Civil War who had moved to New Mexico in 1877 for health reasons, was no stranger to violence. Appointed by President Grover Cleveland, Thornton had been tasked with suppressing secret societies like the White Caps and was personally committed to eradicating politically motivated assassinations. The preceding decade had witnessed eight such murders in New Mexico, three in 1892 alone, not including John Doherty. Thornton had previously investigated the murder of Santa Fe police chief Sylvestre Gallegos, a relatively straightforward street duel. The deaths of Doherty and Rael, however, presented a far more obscured and complex conspiracy.
Thornton’s investigation quickly revealed that Rael had expressed intentions of turning state’s evidence, having learned of the reward for information regarding Doherty’s murder. Governor Thornton ordered Rael’s body exhumed. The exhumation revealed Rael had been shot six times, not four as claimed, with bullet angles suggesting he was lying down when shot. Furthermore, an examination of jailer Romero’s coat, which he claimed had a bullet hole from Rael, indicated the shot was fired at close range, with the gun pressed against the garment. This evidence strongly implicated the deputies in Rael’s death.
Unraveling the Conspiracy: The White Caps and Abeytia’s Betrayal
Recognizing the compromised position of Sheriff Abeytia, Governor Thornton bypassed him, enlisting Sheriff Cunningham of Santa Fe to make further arrests. Cunningham apprehended Sandoval (who had accused Rael and was held as a witness), Bartolome Cordova (an associate of Rael), and Sostenes Lucero (the deputy who shot Rael). Under interrogation, Cordova and Sandoval soon confessed their involvement in the murders, revealing a shocking conspiracy.
The two men admitted to being members of a local chapter of Vicente Silva’s infamous Society of Bandits, also known as the White Caps. This chapter included the deceased Rael, jailer Romero, Sostenes Lucero and his brothers Juan and Tomas, and several other individuals, along with local newspaper editor E.W. Pierce, who assisted their criminal activities. The most damning revelation was that the head of this local chapter was none other than the current Sheriff of Mora County, Agapito Abeytia Jr. Though Vicente Silva himself had been killed earlier that year, this local faction continued its operations of robbery, extortion, and murder. They feared that John Doherty was actively gathering evidence against them, potentially implicating them in a series of thefts and the murder of a man named Jones in Colfax County. Thus, they resolved to eliminate him.
The confession detailed that Abeytia, conveniently out of town during the murder, returned to deliberately misdirect the investigation, notably by ensuring jailer Romero’s exoneration. The actual assassination of John Doherty was carried out by the twins, Juan and Tomas Lucero, possibly aided by a disgruntled former employee named Chavez. Abeytia further obstructed justice by intentionally delaying the use of bloodhounds until rain had washed away any tracks. The conspiracy deepened when, on February 17, Sheriff Abeytia convened a meeting of the gang at the local jail, where he informed them that Rael had been seen visiting Joseph Doherty’s house, leading him to believe Rael planned to betray them. It was agreed that Cordova would ascertain Rael’s whereabouts, Sandoval would provide a false affidavit implicating Rael in Doherty’s murder, and Romero and Sostenes would ensure Rael was not taken alive.
Justice Prevails
Sheriff Cunningham’s meticulous investigation led to the arrest of almost the entire gang, who were brought to trial for their numerous crimes. The inquiry also exposed that Sheriff Abeytia had embezzled over $13,000 from county accounts during his tenure. The sole fugitive, Tomas Lucero, one of the twins responsible for Doherty’s murder, was finally apprehended that October by Sheriff Cunningham, with crucial assistance from Joe Doherty, John’s brother. Joe Doherty’s commitment to bringing his brother’s killers to justice was unwavering. The following year, Joe Doherty was himself elected Sheriff. His time in Mora would be brief, however, as he soon embarked on a path that would lead him to become one of New Mexico’s wealthiest men.
John Doherty was laid to rest in New Mexico, far from his boyhood home in Donegal. His descendants continue to reside in the state, bearing witness to his legacy. Though his quest for justice against a murderous gang ultimately led to his tragic death of a sheriff, his sacrifice ultimately brought about their downfall. The intricate conspiracy that cost John Doherty his life was eventually unraveled, ensuring that justice, however belatedly, was served in the wild frontier of New Mexico.
