Porterville in Tulare County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Porterville's Badman

Photographed By Dr. Samuel Gregg George Chapter No. 1855 E Clampus Vitus, July 24, 2010

1. Porterville's Badman Marker

Inscription. Jim McKinney, Porterville's "Jekyll and Hyde,” a soft- spoken man was liked by many, but when drunk was dangerous, always armed and looking for trouble. On the night of July 27, 1902, on a drunken rampage he went totally bad and shot up Scotty's chop house, two doors South on Main Street, then went on a rampage through the streets of town on a stolen horse and buckboard, shooting at everyone he saw. Five men were wounded and one was killed. Billy Lynn, the man killed, was one of McKinney's close friends. Three of the wounded were the town's lawmen: Marshall John Willis, Deputy Johnny Howell, and Deputy Billy Thompkins who tried to calm him but ended up in a shootout. McKinney escaped to Arizona where he killed twice more, then returned to Bakersfield where he was cornered and killed in a shootout in a Chinese Joss house in April 1903. Sadly Kern County Sheriff T. J. Packard and Deputy W. E. Tibbet were killed in this battle.

Erected 2007 by Dr. Samuel Gregg George Chapter 1855 E Clampus Vitus.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Law Enforcement. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1903.

Location. 36° 4.129′ N, 119° 0.986′ W. Marker

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is in Porterville, California, in Tulare County. Marker is at the intersection of West Mill Street and North Main Street, on the right when traveling east on West Mill Street. Marker is on the West Mill Street side of the building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 183 North Main Street, Porterville CA 93257, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Time Marches On (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Elisha Packwood (about 800 feet away); Nettie Smith's Place (approx. 0.2 miles away); Dr. Samuel Gregg George (approx. ¼ mile away); Tule River Stage Station (approx. 0.8 miles away); Gabriel Moraga (approx. 0.8 miles away); a different marker also named The Tule River Stage Station (approx. 1.2 miles away); Vandalia (approx. 1.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Porterville.

Also see . . . James "Jim" McKinney Grave. (Submitted on October 28, 2019, by Frank Gunshow Sanchez of Hollister, California.)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 5, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 28, 2019, by Frank Gunshow Sanchez of Hollister, California. This page has been viewed 436 times since then and 43 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on October 28, 2019, by Frank Gunshow Sanchez of Hollister, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.

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