CUSTER COUNTY, Neb. (WOWT) - On this day in 1878, a brutal showdown erupted between Nebraska settlers and Texas cattlemen.

The conflict began when cattle belonging to Print Olive trampled Ketchum’s crops.

The Buffalo County sheriff deputized Olive’s foreman, Bob Stevens, to arrest Ketchum, who was accused of stealing cattle. Unbeknownst to the sheriff, Stevens was actually Print Olive’s brother.

He was wanted for murder in Texas under his real name, Bob Olive. Gunfire erupted at Ketchum’s homestead, and Bob was shot. He died three days later.

Ketchum and Mitchell surrendered and were jailed in Kearney. While being taken to Custer County for their arraignment, the Olive men seized them and lynched them in a canyon. Their bodies were found burned the next day.

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