Elfego Baca

Elfego Baca (1865–1945) was a legendary lawman, lawyer, and politician in the closing days of the American wild west.

Law and Order

After he officially became the sheriff of Socorro County, indictments were handed down for the arrests of many of the county’s criminals. When his deputies began to arm themselves, Baca stopped their pursuit of lawbreakers. Instead, he sent a letter to each of the accused, saying, “I have a warrant here for your arrest. Please come in by March 15 and give yourself up. If you don’t, I’ll know you intend to resist arrest, and I will feel justified in shooting you on sight when I come after you.” Most of the outlaws turned themselves in voluntarily.

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In 1888, Baca became a U.S. Marshal. He served for two years and then began studying law. In December 1894, he was admitted to the bar and joined a Socorro law firm. He practiced law on San Antonio Street in El Paso from 1902–1904.

Related Topics:
1888 - U.S. Marshal

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