Shotgun John Collins

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Abraham G. Graham (November 22, 1851 – December 2, 1922) was a gunfighter and outlaw known best by the alias “Shotgun” John Collins. He was born in Horry County, South Carolina, and his family moved to Texas when he was a boy.

Over the years he used several names, including John Collins and John Graham. He married Tabitha Cox in 1880, and they had six children. The family later changed their name back to Graham. In Texas, Abe Graham (as he was often called) was connected with the famous gunfighter John Wesley Hardin, and he faced accusations of cattle rustling and horse theft, which helped push him to move around the Southwest.

Graham spent time in New Mexico and was part of the Lincoln County War, where he became associated with Billy the Kid. He later rode shotgun for Wells Fargo, a job that earned him the nickname “Shotgun” Collins because of the many shootings tied to that work. He also hunted buffalo and worked as a U.S. Cavalry Scout during conflicts with Geronimo and the Apache.

In the years that followed, he owned several ranches in Socorro County and moved his family between Texas and Mexico. He went to Dodge City with Wyatt Earp during the Dodge City War of 1883 and was involved with other notable Old West figures of the era.

Graham died in a gunfight in El Paso, Texas, at the age of 71. He is buried in Concordia Cemetery in El Paso under the name Abe Graham. He was sometimes said to be cousins with Curly Bill Brocius, another name associated with the outlaw era.