A rare photo of the Shadow Horse Gang. From left: Trader Dave, The Kid, Doc Pete and Shadow Horse
For several years, a band of outlaws has roamed the northern New Mexico territory. Their range has been from as far east as Tucumcari to as far west as El Morro. They have been south to Socorro and north to Ghost Ranch. These are hard men who hideout most of the year and do most of their riding in the spring. Undoubtedly, they are destined to find their way into the annals of New Mexico’s history.
Shadow Horse – The leader of the gang. Some say he came from Louisiana, and others say he used to be a preacher. None of that is certain, but everyone knows that he is part Indian. He is most comfortable on the trails of the back country and moves like the wind over terrain that would kill most men. Tent Rocks is his favorite haunt. His native blood offers the gang safe entry into the surrounding pueblos and reservations. Without Shadow Horse, the gang would have never gained its notoriety.
Doc Pete – Born near the goldfields of California, he has roamed from Canada to the former Confederacy and made a name for himself as a medicine man. The gang survives in the wild lands of New Mexico because of his knowledge of his surroundings. Once, he survived a near disastrous trek at Bandelier. He knows the plants that will kill and the plants that will heal. An expert on the trails, Doc Pete could disappear into the wilderness and never return.
The Kid – As a wily old veteran, his name seems to be a mistake, but he is the youngest member of the gang. His career began in Tennessee at a young age, but, unlike the other famous Kid of outlawry, he had the luck and skill to stay alive. He is comfortable in the back country and serves as lookout when the gang is holed up in Chaco Canyon. Despite that, the Kid is happiest sitting at a Faro table with a saloon girl sitting on his lap.
Trader Dave – Raised in the industrial region of northern Indiana, he followed the Santa Fe Trail into New Mexico. At times, he can be spotted around Pecos buying and selling goods with the local inhabitants. Dollars. Pesos. It doesn’t matter what currency. He can make a deal for any and all goods. Still effective on the trail with many years behind him, Trader Dave is at his best with frijoles and tortillas on a plate and whiskey in a glass.
SBI: A Thinning Crowd 
These guys sound mighty interesting and mighty badass. I would love to sit with them and hear their stories.
It’s a rough bunch, but I’m not sure about the Kid. His toughness could be questioned.
Awesome sauce.
Thanks. We ate at McDonald’s a lot, and the special sauce inspired me.
And where are the mighty steeds of said gang???
They were in the parking lot.
Fabulous countryside for the gang!
They were roaming Chaco Canyon at the time. It is a cool place.
Reblogged this on Surrounded By Imbeciles and commented:
A while back, I wrote about a band of outlaws who have roamed throughout northern New Mexico. Their adventures are great, but, like other stories of the American West, those stories will eventually fade into myth and legend. They are tough men who may have seen their last ride, but their names will be remembered throughout the territory and throughout the pages of history.
It looks like the wild wild west but look closer and there is an inspection chamber cover in the picture!
I know. I tried everything to get a good picture without modern times creeping in. Unfortunately, some of the gang can’t get far enough down the trail.