By Terry McGaheyAssociate Writer/ Historian
Two of the first hung by them was a lady by the name of Ella Watson better known as Cattle Kate and her husband Jim Averell who was a businessman and didn’t even own any cattle. Later it was proven that Cattle Kate was innocent as well as her husband.
During the Johnson County War an unknown number of 15 to 38 people were killed and not until President Benjamin Harrison ordered the U.S. Cavalry to intervene did this war come to an end.
Of all the range wars the Pleasant Valley War from 1882-1892 in Gila County Arizona had the most casualties of them all. Pleasant Valley near Young Arizona is located approximately 57 miles East of Payson and 67 Miles North of Globe, Arizona. Some of the bloody conflict reached into Globe and Holbrook, Arizona, as well.
The estimation of numbers killed during this conflict which turned into an out-and-out family feud ran between 35 and 50 men almost wiping out the male population of both families involved.
This range war was the longest lasting and most bloody range war in American history. The two families involved were the Graham’s and the Tewksbury’s. The Graham’s were ranchers and the Tewksbury’s, who were part Native American began cattle ranching but in time began raising sheep also.
The families of Tewksbury’s and Graham’s were actually friends in the beginning but with the arrival of a big rancher by the name of Stinson things began to roll downhill. Stinson’s herd began to occupy the grazing lands of the two families and he began accusing both families of rustling.
This range war was the longest lasting and most bloody range war in American history. The two families involved were the Graham’s and the Tewksbury’s. The Graham’s were ranchers and the Tewksbury’s, who were part Native American began cattle ranching but in time began raising sheep also.
The families of Tewksbury’s and Graham’s were actually friends in the beginning but with the arrival of a big rancher by the name of Stinson things began to roll downhill. Stinson’s herd began to occupy the grazing lands of the two families and he began accusing both families of rustling.
Warrants were served and while the Graham’s were at the Tewksbury’s house two cowboys from Stinson’s outfit came to arrest them. Not allowing themselves to be arrested one of Stinson’s men fired a shot which went over Ed Tewksbury’s head, Ed then drew and fired at the same time the Stinson man fired his second shot hitting Stinson’s man in the shoulder. The second Stinson man was also wounded and they both retreated.
Later in 1884, the Graham’s and Tewksbury’s friendship fell apart when Stinson offered the Graham’s a deal paying them fifty head of cows and would see to it that they would spend no jail time if they would turn states evidence against the Tewksbury’s. The Graham’s took the deal and began working for Stinson. When the Tewksbury’s went to court in Prescott Arizona the judge dismissed the case when he realized the deal made between Stinson and the Graham’s.
In 1887 the Graham’s rode to the Tewksbury’s cabin killing John Tewksbury and William Jacobs while they were gathering their horses. They continued shooting at the cabin with return fire coming from inside and while this battle was taking place the hogs began devouring the two dead men. The law began to show up and the Graham’s fled.
Andy Blevins, one of the Graham faction, was in a store in Holbrook bragging that he had killed John Tewksbury Jr. and William Jacobs. Sherriff Commodore Perry Owens got wind of this and went to the Blevins home in Holbrook to arrest Andy Blevins. When he arrived Andy’s half-brother stepped out and took a shot at Owens and Owens returned fire wounding the half-brother and ended up killing Andy.
In the next few years, many others from both sides were killed by shootings and lynchings by men wearing masks. Tom Horn was also involved with this war but it’s not clear which side he rode for.
Later in 1884, the Graham’s and Tewksbury’s friendship fell apart when Stinson offered the Graham’s a deal paying them fifty head of cows and would see to it that they would spend no jail time if they would turn states evidence against the Tewksbury’s. The Graham’s took the deal and began working for Stinson. When the Tewksbury’s went to court in Prescott Arizona the judge dismissed the case when he realized the deal made between Stinson and the Graham’s.
In 1887 the Graham’s rode to the Tewksbury’s cabin killing John Tewksbury and William Jacobs while they were gathering their horses. They continued shooting at the cabin with return fire coming from inside and while this battle was taking place the hogs began devouring the two dead men. The law began to show up and the Graham’s fled.
Andy Blevins, one of the Graham faction, was in a store in Holbrook bragging that he had killed John Tewksbury Jr. and William Jacobs. Sherriff Commodore Perry Owens got wind of this and went to the Blevins home in Holbrook to arrest Andy Blevins. When he arrived Andy’s half-brother stepped out and took a shot at Owens and Owens returned fire wounding the half-brother and ended up killing Andy.
In the next few years, many others from both sides were killed by shootings and lynchings by men wearing masks. Tom Horn was also involved with this war but it’s not clear which side he rode for.
The last man killed during this war took place in 1892. Ed Tewksbury ended up being the last man standing of all who were involved when the range war/ feud came to an end. Ed died in Globe, Arizona. In April of 1904. Many of the men who died during this war are buried in the cemetery in Young, Arizona.
The Pleasant Valley War, in my opinion, was more so a family feud because sheep were not involved in the equation until 1885 but the troubles began around 1883-84. Yes, sheep became part of the problem but this feud began before that. Because of this range war/feud which was going on, along with the Apache problems at the time, the Union would not allow Arizona to become a State until 1912.
I could write much more about the Pleasant Valley War but it would take a small book to do so, just too much to write in a small article.
The Pleasant Valley War, in my opinion, was more so a family feud because sheep were not involved in the equation until 1885 but the troubles began around 1883-84. Yes, sheep became part of the problem but this feud began before that. Because of this range war/feud which was going on, along with the Apache problems at the time, the Union would not allow Arizona to become a State until 1912.
I could write much more about the Pleasant Valley War but it would take a small book to do so, just too much to write in a small article.
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