Chisum (1970) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

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1. 1

   Murphy and Dolan begin a land monopoly in Lincoln County

   Lawrence Murphy and James Dolan move to consolidate power by buying up land and businesses in Lincoln County. Their aggressive expansion threatens Chisum's peace, while Chisum tries to stay out of the feud and allow displaced ranchers to water their herds on his land. The stage is set for a fierce struggle over resources and influence.

   Where

   Lincoln County, New Mexico

2. 2

   Bribed Sheriff Brady hires Neemo and his bandits

   Bribed by Murphy, corrupt Sheriff Brady secretly hires Neemo and his gang to enforce Murphy's monopoly. They murder two of Chisum's men and steal a herd of horses, escalating violence in the county. Chisum and his men set out to track the thieves and recover what was taken.

   Where

   Lincoln County, New Mexico

3. 3

   Chisum pursues the thieves and Billy the Kid joins

   Chisum and his men pursue the thieves, retrieve the horses, and uncover American money hidden on a Mexican outlaw. The discovery reveals the financial backbone of the conflict, linking the land war to hidden wealth. They are aided by Billy the Kid, who has just been given a chance to reform by Chisum's neighbor, Tunstall.

   Where

   Lincoln County, New Mexico

4. 4

   Sallie arrives and Billy courts her

   Sallie, Chisum's niece, arrives in Lincoln to live with her uncle, and Billy begins courting her. The relationship adds personal stakes to the feud as tensions rise in town. The budding romance intertwines with the wider conflict engulfing Lincoln County.

   Where

   Lincoln County, New Mexico

5. 5

   Murphy brings McSween in as lawyer

   Alexander McSween arrives in Lincoln with his wife Sue, invited by Murphy to polish his legal case against Chisum and the reformers. His presence marks Murphy's attempt to legitimize the monopoly through law. The town braces for a legal battle that could redefine power in Lincoln County.

   Where

   Lincoln County, New Mexico

6. 6

   Rustling incites a deadly confrontation; Pat Garrett warns

   During Sallie's welcome party, Murphy orders Jess Evans and his gang to rustle Chisum's cattle bound for the Army. A wandering Pat Garrett warns Chisum's men of the approaching riders, triggering a firefight and a stampede of cattle. The violence confirms that the feud will be decided by force rather than law.

   Where

   Lincoln County, New Mexico

7. 7

   McSween switches sides to join the reformers

   Discontent with Murphy's methods grows, and McSween switches sides, aligning with Chisum and Tunstall against the monopoly. The reformers gain a stronger, legal-backed coalition to challenge Murphy's grip on the town. The change strengthens their ability to push back Murphy's influence.

   Where

   Lincoln County, New Mexico

8. 8

   Store and bank opened to counter Murphy

   McSween, Tunstall, and Chisum open a new store and a bank to challenge Murphy's grip on Lincoln County. They create a rival economic center and recruit local support to sustain their effort. The economic confrontation mirrors the growing violence in the streets.

   Where

   Lincoln County, New Mexico

9. 9

   Santa Fe trip; Evans attack spurs intervention

   Billy, Garrett, and several of Chisum's men travel to Santa Fe to stock the store. On the way back, Evans attacks their wagon train, nearly killing Billy and prompting Tunstall to seek Governor Axtell's intervention in the land war.

   Where

   Santa Fe and Lincoln County, New Mexico

10. 10

    Tunstall is murdered on the road

    On the road to Santa Fe, deputies Morton and Baker stop Tunstall, falsely accuse him of rustling, shoot him dead, and plant a gun to make it look like he drew first. The cold-blooded killing escalates the conflict and sparks outrage among reformers.

    Where

    Along the road to Santa Fe, New Mexico

11. 11

    Wilson arrives; deputizes Chisum and Garrett; captures deputies

    Justice J.B. Wilson arrives in Lincoln during Tunstall's funeral. Brady refuses to pursue Murphy's men, so Wilson deputizes Chisum and Garrett and sends them after the fugitive deputies. They chase Morton and Baker to a nearby town and capture them.

    Where

    Lincoln County, New Mexico

12. 12

    Billy murders Brady and prompts a political shift

    In a bid to seize justice, Billy the Kid kills Morton and Baker and publicly murders Sheriff Brady. Murphy uses the turmoil to pressure Governor Axtell to intervene and oust Wilson, installing his ally Dan Nodeen as sheriff. The power dynamic in Lincoln County grows more unstable.

    Where

    Lincoln County, New Mexico

13. 13

    Nodeen becomes sheriff

    Murphy convinces Governor Axtell to fire Justice Wilson and appoint bounty hunter Dan Nodeen as sheriff, shifting law enforcement toward Murphy's faction. This move deepens the cycle of violence and retaliation in Lincoln County.

    Where

    Lincoln County, New Mexico

14. 14

    Break-in at McSween's store; firefight ensues

    Billy's allies break into McSween's store to seize dynamite for a Murphy bank heist, triggering a prolonged firefight with Murphy's men. Nodeen notices the attack, and the fighting spills into the streets. McSween and his wife try to leave, but McSween is shot by Nodeen.

    Where

    Lincoln County, New Mexico

15. 15

    Final assault ends Murphy's reign

    Chisum drives Murphy's cattle into town to break barricades, and a brutal clash follows. Billy pursues Evans, while Chisum fights Murphy and eventually defeats him; Murphy is impaled on a decorative bull's horn. With Murphy gone, order slowly returns as Nodeen departs the town.

    Where

    Lincoln County, New Mexico