Sheriff John B. Campbell

John B. Campbell

The East Texas Regulator-Moderator War was a feud in Harrison and Shelby counties from 1839 to 1844. The Regulators were organized to “regulate” cattle rustling and crime through vigilante justice. The Moderators were organized to “moderate” the vigilante actions of the Regulators. Campbell was appointed sheriff in late 1840 after the elected sheriff resigned. William Pinckney Rose, known as “Captain Rose,” was the leader of the Regulators. Two of his men, George W. Rembert and Isaac Hughes, organized a posse to capture two thieves, but it was a trap set by Moderators. Rembert was shot and killed and the others fled.

Shortly afterwards, a posse led by Sheriff Campbell found Hughes and ordered him to surrender. Hughes refused and Sheriff Campbell ordered the posse to fire. Hughes was killed in the volley. Hughes’ brother sought revenge and was assisted by Captain Rose. On January 23, 1841, Sheriff Campbell was assassinated in Port Caddo by Hughes’ brother and perhaps Captain Rose. Robert Potter, the leader of the Moderators, had Rose charged with murdering Sheriff Campbell and two other men. The President of the Republic of Texas put a reward of $500 for the arrest and conviction of Rose for murdering Sheriff Campbell while he was in the discharge of his official duties.

Potter formed a posse and attempted to arrest Rose and collect the reward on March 1, 1842. Rose was hidden by his slaves and escaped capture. On March 2, 1842 Captain Rose formed a posse and surrounded Potter’s cabin. Potter decided to attempt to escape across the lake and was shot and killed. Potter’s wife filed charges against Rose and nine posse members, but cases were dismissed in 1843. It is believed that Rose died in 1850.

No other personal information is known about John B. Campbell except that he was a medical doctor and moved to Texas in 1839. His place of burial and family history is unknown.