James Dolan (Lincoln County War)

James Dolan
James Dolan, circa 1870s
Born	James Joseph Dolan 1848 Loughrea, County Galway, Ireland
Died	February 6, 1898(1898-02-06) (aged 49–50) Lincoln County, New Mexico
Occupation	Old West businessman and member of the Santa Fe Ring, racketeer, cattleman
Known for	Instigator of the Lincoln County War

James Joseph Dolan (May 2, 1848 – February 6, 1898) was an Union Army veteran, Grand Army of the Republic member, Republican Party leader, racketeer, Old West businessman and gunman, cattleman, and a key factor in the Lincoln County War, in New Mexico, which launched Billy the Kid to fame.

Dolan was born in Loughrea, County Galway, Ireland and moved to the United States at the age of five with his family. He served in the Union Army from 1863 until the Civil War's end, after which he moved to Lincoln County, New Mexico. He worked as a clerk for Lawrence Murphy, and by 1874 the two men were business partners in a mercantile and banking operation. The venture was highly successful and profitable, particularly since there was no competition.

In May 1873, Dolan attempted to shoot US Cavalry Captain James Randlett at Fort Stanton, resulting in "L. G. Murphy & Co." being evicted from the fort. On May 9, 1877, Dolan killed Hilario Jaramillo, claiming that the latter had charged him with a knife. George Peppin, a recent friend, later married Jaramillo's widow.

It would be the only killing he would personally commit, preferring thereafter to hire others to commit acts of violence under his direction. By this time, however, Dolan had become close friends with Sheriff William J. Brady, who later was suspected to have been corrupt. Because of the lack of competition, the Murphy-Dolan businesses charged high prices for their goods, making them hated by local farmers and ranchers.