I was hesitant to move my debate with Tom and Joyce up here because I don't want anybody to miss the excellent and informative interview with Chuck Parsons. Anybody interested in learning new and interesting information, please scroll down and listen to the Parsons interview. But if you're interested in going down the same-old-same-old trail, follow me.

Tom, you say: "Wyatt says he and his brothers and Wells Fargo’s Williams were at a the McLaury’s ranch with some soldiers looking for U.S. cavalry mules. They met Frank Patterson there. This involved 6 mules only."

I don't think anybody has any problem with this summary.

"Wyatt said a special branding iron was there that was specially made to make US into D8 in one burn. Most rustlers knew to use a running iron because it would do a cleaner job and making a complete branding iron for only 6 mules would be a waste of time and guarantee a blurred brand."

I would like to know your source for stating that a running iron would do a cleaner job, particularly if one wanted the brands to be as identical as possible. According to some sources, even having a running iron in one's possession could be reason for a quick appointment with a tree limb and a rope (google "running iron"). In terms of whether making a DS branding iron would be worth it, based on the following referenced article, you be the judge. On May 18, 1867 the Arizona Miner reported the theft of five “splendid mules” by Indians from Toll Gate Station, valued at $1,200 ($25,056 in today’s dollars). That was 5 mules in 1867, when there were fewer people and mules in Arizona, so the value may have gone down, but I imagine 6 government mules in 1881 would be worth a pretty penny. If the price of mules, especially mules that had been certified for government service by an Army purchasing agent, had dropped by 50% by 1881, that would still be in excess of 13-14 thousand dollars in today's money for six mules. Cut that in half again, would it be "a waste of time" (your words) to make a special branding iron for 5 to 6 thousand grand of free money?

Tom, you say, "Also US mules would have a second brand on them. The US would be on the right side of the mule near his front shoulder. Another brand would be on the left side near his rear shoulder naming the military unit that owned him.

"This being true how could Wyatt think changing just one brand would hide the true ownership of the mule?"

I have to thank Joyce for reminding me about the "card" placed by Lt. Hurst in the EPITAPH that helped me to answer this one. In describing the mules, the only brand he refers to is the "U.S.". He makes no mention of another more complex brand that would have been even harder to alter than the simple "U.S.". To pose your question in a slightly different manner: This being true how could Lt. Hurst think changing just one brand would hide the true ownership of the mule? The mules obviously did not have the second brand on them or Hurst would have mentioned it. Also, why would the Cowboys steal six double branded mules in the first place? If so, how would they intend to cover up the one identifying the unit?