Kaycee in Johnson County, Wyoming — The American West (Mountains)
1892 KC Ranch Attack
Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, October 16, 2026
1. 1892 KC Ranch Attack Marker
Ahead of you is the site of the KC Fight during the Johnson County War in 1892, a result of increased tensions between small homesteaders and cattle barons over use of the range. The cattle barons, with the support of the press, the Wyoming Stockgrowers Association, and elected officials, planned an invasion of Johnson County to exterminate "rustlers." They organized fifty men, later known as the "Invaders," to kill a list of homesteaders and county officials. Their first stop was the KC Ranch, where they believed rustlers were staying.
At dawn on April 9, 1892, the Invaders surrounded the cabin and captured two men who were getting water. Another, Nick Ray, stepped outside and was shot. Dodging heavy gunfire, Nate Champion pulled Ray back into the cabin and returned fire.
Alone in the cabin, Champion held off the Invaders for most of the day and wrote in his journal:
"Nick is dead, he died about 9 o'clock... I don't think they intend to let me get away this time... Well, they have just got through shelling the house like hail. I heard them splitting wood.... I think they will fire the house this time. It's notHe rushed out the back door, rifle and Colt revolver in hand, and was met with a hail of bullets.night yet. The house is all fired. Goodbye, boys, if I never see you again." Nathan D. Champion
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However, his bravery delayed the Invaders long enough for word of the attack to get out and an opposition organized. Two hundred angry citizens surrounded the Invaders at the TA Ranch. President Benjamin Harrison summoned U.S. soldiers from Fort McKinney in Buffalo to take the Invaders into federal custody. They were taken to Cheyenne and charged but never tried for their crimes.
Erected 2026 by Hoofprints of the Past Museum.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Law Enforcement • Notable Events. In addition, it is included in the America 250 series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 9, 1892.
Location. 43° 42.41′ N, 106° 38.354′ W. Marker is in Kaycee, Wyoming, in Johnson County. It is on Nolan Avenue (Wyoming Route 196), on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 675-1 Nolan
Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, October 16, 2026
2. 1892 KC Ranch Attack Marker
Regionally, this marker is in the Powder River Basin. It is also in the American Mountain West. Globally, it is in North America, the Rocky Mountains, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 4 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Chris Lee LeDoux (approx. ¼ mile away); Powder River Country (approx. 0.8 miles away); Ranching on the Powder River (approx. 0.8 miles away); The Dull Knife Battle (approx. 0.8 miles away).
Another marker is no longer nearby. Nate Champion and Nick Rae (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed).
More about this marker. Marker was dedicated July 11, 2026 as part of the America 250 celebration. It replaced another marker that had been located across the road that also discussed the TA Ranch Attack.
Also see . . . The KC Cabin Gunfight Historical Site (Hoofprints of the Past Museum). (Submitted on November 1, 2026.)
Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, October 16, 2026
3. 1892 KC Ranch Attack Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on November 1, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 19, 2026, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. This page has been viewed 16 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 19, 2026, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
