WAS SAM CORBET A THIEF?"

Sam Corbert continued to find himself embroiled in the violence of Lincoln County. It's said it was Sam who hid "Big" Jim French beneath the floor in the Tunstall store after the Regulators assassinated Brady. On February 24, after Robert Widenmann was poisoned by an unknown source, for his safety, Alex McSween left town for the mountains under the protection of a Deputy Sheriff named Adolph Barrier. Before he did, he wrote his last will and testament; witnessed by David Shield and Sam Corbert. He would also clerk for Isaac Ellis snd would become part of the Dudley Court of Inquiry, condemning Dudley for his actions during the five day battle. Sam even married Saturnino Baca's daughter, Josefa.

Sometime in the latter part of 1887, and for reasons that remain vague, Sam Corbet left Lincoln County; by January, 1888 he and his wife were in Coahuila, Mexico. Historian Maurice Fulton suggested it was due to financial difficulties arising out of his former offices. Perhaps this refers to the period between 1880 and 1882, when he was first deputy, then probate clerk; it is not known what part, if any, he played in the following story, which appeared in the Silver City Enterprise on November 28th, 1882:

"The treasurer of Lincoln County is reported a defaulter in the sum of $900. The probate clerk is also charged with crookedness, while the funds set apart for school purposes have mysteriously disappeared."

In view of Sam's departure to Mexico, this could warrant further investigation. Of all people, it was Jimmy Dolan that Sam Corbet turned to in his time of need; it seems Dolan sent him money and did what he could to help him. Two years later, Sam Corbet was back in New Mexico. He would eventually relocate to Texas where he died in 1923.

I have attached the letter that Sam wrote to Jimmy Dolan including its transcription. Also included is an unsigned letter, writer unknown but presumably Jimmy Dolan, stating the amount of money they've given to Sam and the grave of Samuel Robert Corbet.