Apr. 20, 2026
Railroad versus settlers in 1880: death and consequences
On May 11, 1880, one of the American West's deadliest shootouts killed seven men at Mussel Slough in a railroad-versus-settlers dispute -- and the echoes still shape California government today.
John S. Caragozian
Email: caragozian@gmail.com
John is a Los Angeles-based lawyer and sits on the Board of the California Supreme Court Historical Society. He welcomes ideas for future monthly columns on California's legal history at caragozian@gmail.com.
On May 11, 1880, one of the American West's deadliest shootouts occurred in California's San Joaquin Valley. Seven men were killed at Mussel Slough (near present-day Hanford) in a railroad-versus-settlers dispute. The shootout echoes to this day.
Mussel Slough is flatland. For centuries, it was arid, except during the spring, when the Kings River spread through sloughs before emptying into Tulare Lake.
In pre-European times, Native ...
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