The Battle of Turkey Creek Canyon: Ketchum Gang Vs. A Cimarron Sheriff’s Posse

Elzy Lay

(True West) Three suspected train robbers are in camp at their remote hide-out at Turkey Creek Canyon in New Mexico Territory.

Tipped off by a sighting (and a snitch), a seven-man posse out of Cimarron rides to the stronghold and dismounts when campfire smoke is spotted curling up through the trees.

The posse members get into position: three lawmen climb a ridge left of the camp and the other four deploy up the north side of the creek bottom. A half-dressed outlaw, Elzy Lay, comes into their view. With a canteen in his hand, Lay approaches a pool of water in the nearly dry creek bottom. Continued