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Historical Research
almeh A Dream of the Alhambra
The True Story Behind a Remarkable Painting
Harry Humphrey Moore and Charles Marcel Vaccari
Connecting the Masterpiece and the Apprentice's Copy
A Work of Art
At the store of J. Lenoir, on Fifth street, may be seen an oil painting which will well repay more than a casual inspection. It is a copy of the celebrated work of Humphrey Moore, entitled, “Alma, a Dream of the Alhambra,” which was awarded the first prize at the Paris exposition of 1867, and was sold for $5,000, being now owned in San Francisco. The copy is about twice the size of the original, being 5x8 feet, and was painted by C.M. Vaccari, of this city. The scene is an interior perspective view of the old Moorish palace of the Alhambra. In the foreground is the life size figure of a dancing girl, surrounded with all the barbaric splendor for which the Oriental invaders of Grenada were noted. Lovers of art are invited to take a look at the picture, as it is for sale, the price only $350.
October 21, 1882
Weekly Epitaph
Tombstone, Arizona Territory
History obscures the authenticity of a painting hanging in one of the most celebrated buildings in Tombstone. The stories and legends abound regarding the identity of the scantily clad woman, with an obvious admirer lounged at her feet strumming an instrument while she beckons the viewer to step closer still and be captivated by her gaze and the details of her costume. The playful smile on her lips makes the viewer smile in return, the bracelets that dangle from her wrists, leaves the viewer imagining the gentle chime they must make as she dances. The slight jut of her hip suggests she is in mid turn, ready to tease the viewer with well-practiced movements. The details of the tea service at her feet with a water pipe ready to be smoked standing nearby, and the intricate designs of the room where she dances allows the viewer a glimpse into her exotic world.
We have all viewed this larger than life painting, we have heard the story told day after day, but have we really looked at it? Have we truly listened to the story and not questioned its authenticity? Would you like to know the historical evidence, or are you content with the legend? If you are content, you must stop here and read no further.
If you desire more than the legendary thread, continue, beware, be warned, the truthful threads are much more fascinating than the legend has ever been, facts and truths will be woven into an incredibly beautiful history leaving you wanting to know more about your favorite wild west town.
A Dream of the Alhambra
A well-known painting hangs in the entryway of one of the most historic buildings in Tombstone. She is a striking woman attired in a traditional ‘Almeh’ costume with a musician at her feet. She has been called ‘Little Egypt’, ‘Fatima’, and ‘Belly Dancer’. She is none of these, but so much more. She has captivated millions of visitors to Tombstone since she was brought here in 1882. This is her story, the truth whispered through the threads of time, when you are done reading you will know that she is quite possibly one of the most treasured pieces of history to ever grace the walls of Tombstone.
The Painter
A world renowned Artist of his time, Harry Humphrey Moore was deaf and mute. Harry and his brother, who was also deaf, were sent to David Bartlett’s Private School for the Deaf as young boys. While young Harry studied Art, his brother studied Medicine, both brothers became foremost experts in their chosen fields and made history. Born in 1844 in New York, Harry displayed his talent for painting the human form with incredible life and character when he was 10 years old and painted a portrait of his grandfather. After finishing at private school, Harry went on to study art in Hartford, CT, New Haven, CT, New York, San Francisco and Philadelphia.
At the tender age of 21, Harry, moved to Munich, then Paris and eventually Rome where he became one of the most noted American Painters of his time. Harry’s fame was attributed to his brilliant use of color, delicate brush work and a profound presence of depth and life. Harry moved to Spain with his mother and apprenticed there, for the sole purpose of painting the aspects of the Moorish life. Spain is also where he met and married his first wife, Isabel, the daughter of a Spanish Noblewoman and a Colonel. Moore studied and practiced Orientalism, as the style became known in the 1850’s, which was the study of the characteristics of Asian and Arab life in the European world, specifically Spain. A particular location became popular with painters and artists all over the world, the Alhambra Palace at Granada Spain, built in 899 and renovated in 1333 the Alhambra embodied all the fascinating aspects of Moorish life. The architecture, painting, delicate balance of water and solid structure portrayed the beauty and influence of the Moorish invaders. Because of Moore’s wife and the connection her family had to the Spanish throne and aristocrats, Moore gained privileged access to the Alhambra Palace and the people who lived and worked there.
It was at the Alhambra, in about 1865, that Moore painted what would become known as his masterpiece, Almeh, a Dream of the Alhambra. Moore chose to paint an Almeh, a woman entertainer, who would dance and sing to her audience in the manner of the Egyptian/Arabic dance, which we commonly refer to as Belly Dancing. Not only did Moore capture the Almeh’s striking beauty, the fullness of her lips, the almond shape of her eyes outlined in kohl, but the intricate details of her costume were captured in rich glorious color. The stripes and lines of her skirt, the way her blouse slipped across her shoulders, and the glittering design of her earring and necklace were captured in true life detail by Moore’s brush strokes. Moore painted his Almeh in the Hall of the Two Sisters, capturing the details of the check-tiled design in the walls behind her, the beauty of the curved columns, and the gently descent of the steps where the musician lay playing at her feet. The admiration on the musicians face is most apparent, as he looks at her with affection in his eyes, he seems to be playing his instrument without thought only watching her dance to his music. The delicate brush work brings Almeh to life, it creates a glimpse into the faraway world of the Moors for the viewer who may never travel to such an exotic place.
Moore revealed his ‘Almeh’ at the 1867 Paris Exposition, where the much loved painting received 1st Place Prize in the portrait category. The life sized painting, being 5 x 8 feet, received much praise and attention from many of the Expo attendees. Harry returned to Spain and painted 4 more ‘Almehs’, and more paintings of life at the Alhambra. At the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, Harry entered his Almeh A Dream of the Alhambra, where she was promptly turned away for being too risqué and inappropriate for the American Public. Harry packed up his Almeh’s and travelled to San Francisco in 1877.
A Masterpiece Reborn
Charles Marcel Vaccari, born in French Algiers in 1837, he made his way to America to improve upon his landscape artist technique and live the immigrants dream of riches in the land of opportunity. In 1869 Vaccari was employed as a night watchman in the San Francisco Art District where he befriended local artist and masters and apprenticed under some of the most notable painters of the time. Vaccari worked hard to gain his citizenship and was a Naturalized American Citizen in 1874, and opened his own landscape painting business in San Francisco.
It was around 1880 that Vaccari met H. H. Moore and began an apprenticeship to learn the mastery of painting the human form.
Between 1880 and 1881 Vaccari learned artistic techniques and skills from Moore, and it was at this time that Vaccari copied, with permission, Moore’s Almeh, a Dream of the Alhambra masterpiece. Mirroring the brush techniques of Moore, Vaccari captured the intricate details of the painting and presented it in vivid color and lifelike authenticity.
In 1881 Moore decided he needed to return to the Alhambra Palace in Granada and paint more of his favorite subject. Moore sold his beloved Almeh in San Francisco for $5,000 to fund his trip. Moore took the rest of the paintings in his collection to Manhattan and put everything into storage at a warehouse location popular with art dealers and artists. Moore left for Spain in 1882 to continue his creative genius.
Vaccari packed up his copied Almeh and made his way to Tombstone, Arizona Territory where he took up residence in October of 1882. Vaccari attempted to first sell his copy of the Almeh for $350.00 at J. Lenior’s shop on Fifth Street. Having no luck, Vaccari decided to sell raffle tickets for the painting and a raffle was held on 10 November 1882 at the Crystal Palace Saloon at the corner of Fifth and Allen Streets. Interestingly enough the winner of raffle ticket number 6 and of Almeh, a Dream of the Alhambra by C. M. Vaccari was the owner of the Alhambra Saloon in Tombstone, Richard “Dick” Brinsley Clark who had been featuring a long running poker game in his saloon. The purpose of the poker game, in which he participated in regularly, was to raise funds to pay off the debt of rebuilding his saloon after the devastating June 1882 fire in the Tombstone Business District. What a fantastic painting to hang in Clarks' refurbished Alhambra Saloon.
Vaccari left Tombstone after the new year and returned to the San Francisco Art District where he worked as a landscape painter until his death 13 May 1897.
(Look in the Gallery for these Photos)
*A Work of Art, from Weekly Tombstone Epitaph, 21 October 1882
*Poker Game at Alhambra Saloon, from Arizona Weekly Citizen, 22 October 1882
*Rebuilding Alhambra Saloon, from Tombstone Epitaph, 3 June 1882
*Ticket No. 6 from Weekly Tombstone Epitaph, 11 November 1882
*C.M. Vaccari Original Oil Painting Almeh, A Dream of the Alhambra, 1881, copy of H.H. Moore Masterpiece, same title, 1865
The Legends of ‘Little Egypt’ & ‘Fatima’
The Almeh featured in Vaccari’s copy of H. H. Moore’s painting has been referred to as ‘Little Egypt’, ‘Fatima’, and ‘Belly Dancer’. It has been claimed Fatima even danced in Tombstone in 1881. All of these stories are fascinating to hear, and believable at best. Those women really lived, and danced at various places, but regrettably none of them are the woman in the painting. The woman in the painting was an Almeh whom H. H. Moore forever captured in brilliant oils at the Hall of the Two Sisters in the Alhambra Palace in Granada Spain sometime between 1865 and 1867. C.M. Vaccari further brought her to life when he copied Moore’s Almeh, A Dream of the Alhambra in San Francisco sometime between 1880 and 1882 and then he brought his copy to Tombstone.
Following are the stories of the women who danced their way into history, but had most likely never been at the Alhambra Palace in Granada, were too young to be the Almeh featured in the painting and most certainly never performed in Tombstone in 1881.
Little Egypt was the stage name for three popular ‘Belly Dancers’; Fahreda Mazar Spyropoulos, (performed under the name ‘Fatima’), Born in Syria c. 1871 died April 5, 1937 in Chicago. Fahreda appeared at the ‘Streets of Cairo’ on the Midway at the World’s Columbian Exposition, held in Chicago in 1893. Ashea Wabe (born Catherine Devine), in 1871 in Montreal Canada, she danced at the Herbert Seeley Bachelor party in New York in 1896, someone reported she was dancing nude and the party was raided. Ashea died January 5, 1908 in New York, reportedly leaving an estate estimated at $200,000. Fatima Djemille, born c. 1870, she also appeared at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Fatima is best known as being The Fatima who appears in two early films, Edison’s Coochee Coochee Dance (1896) and Fatima (1897).
All three of the women were born after Moore’s painting was completed. All three of them would have been about 10 years old when they allegedly danced in Tombstone. All three of the women have dark hair, while the woman in the painting appears to have light auburn or red colored hair peeking out from underneath her headscarf, of course we can lend probability that Moore may have changed the hair color, or even Vaccari when he copied the painting. However, it was well noted that Fahreda Mazar Spyropoulos was nicknamed ‘Little Egypt’ at the 1893 World’s Fair because she was considered short and overweight, and this was a slur towards her appearance. When she shimmied around for all to see, the sight was reportedly “erotic” to the gentlemen observers, causing their wives to lead them away with hands covering their husbands’ eyes. The Almeh in the painting appears to be taller, and her weight in proportion to her height, certainly not short and obese.
The story of a woman named Fatima dancing in Tombstone in 1881 is an entertaining one, although there is no corroborating evidence to support this tale. There are no billings or announcements for Fatima appearing in Tombstone in 1881 in any of the newspapers, or in Arizona Territory for that matter. Of the billings listed quite regularly in the Epitaph and Nugget, none of them feature a ‘Belly Dancer’, ‘Fatima’, or ‘Little Egypt’ performer. In fact, evidence shows that many of the female entertainers who graced the stages of Schieffelin Hall, Tivoli Hall, the Crystal Palace Theatre and Saloon, or the Bird Cage Theatre were indeed comedic actresses, character vocalists, and singers. The fact of the matter is that these women lived, they danced, they entertained and were notable, they just didn’t live, dance or entertain in Tombstone.
(Look in the Gallery for these Photos)
*Fahreda as Fatima, nicknamed Little Egypt
*Fahreda as Fatima, at 'Streets of Cairo' Cooney Island 1896
*Miss Macaddo as Fatima, in Philadelphia
*Ashea as Little Egypt, in New York
*Advertisement for Bird Cage Theatre Players, from Tombstone Epitaph March 1882
**A note: If you would like to view the Edison's film of Fatima Djemille, you may view various versions on You Tube, simply search for Fatima.
Copyright 2017 ~ Nancy Lewis Sosa ~ All Rights Reserved ~
No Portion of this Document May Be Used Without Written Permission of Author
The Great Election Fraud of 1880
Paul v Shibell
Pima County Sheriff Election of 1880: Voter Fraud Defined in Arizona Territory
What History is Made of: Ballot Box Stuffing
Part 1
A Cast of Characters:
A handful of individuals who were involved in one of the Biggest Voter Fraud events in Arizona History:
Robert "Bob" Havlin Paul
Charles Shibell
Judge C. G. W. French
Joseph Isaac "Ike" Clanton
William S. Oury
James Albert Zabriskie
The Republican Candidate
Robert "Bob" Paul, born June 12, 1830 at Lowell Massachusetts. In 1844 he boarded the whaleship: Majestic, as a cabin boy. He arrived in San Francisco in 1849, at the very beginning of the California Gold Rush. From 1859 to 1864 he served as California's Calaveras County Sheriff. In 1871 he begins serving as Wells Fargo Shotgun Messenger. Bob arrived in Arizona Territory in 1878 as a Wells Fargo Agent. In 1880 he decides to campaign for Pima County Sheriff. The subsequent voter fraud opened an official legal battle that went to court and lasted from November of 1880 to April of 1881 when Bob finally took office.
The Incumbent Democratic Candidate
Charles Alexander Shibell, born August 14, 1841 at St. Louis, Missouri. In 1860 Shibell headed to California, where he became a Civilian Teamster for the California Military in 1862. In 1864 Shibell mustered out in Tucson, Arizona Territory and decided to settle down. Shibell married a local Mexican woman and was quickly embraced by the Mexican community. In 1875 Shibell was appointed Pima County Sheriff Deputy by then Sheriff W. S. Oury. Shibell campaigned for Sheriff in 1876 and won, he remained Sheriff until the 1880 election.
The subsequent voter fraud opened the above mentioned legal battle. In January 1881 Judge Charles G. W. French made the ruling that Bob Paul had actually won the election. However, Shibell refused to leave office after the ruling. Shibell filed an appeal in February 1881 to the Arizona Territorial Supreme Court. While the appeal was being processed, Shibell did everything he could to physically not be in his office, so as not to be removed. He spent the majority of the time out in the field until the final decision was made in April of 1881, when the appeals court upheld Judge French's ruling.
Paul v Shibell
Pima County Sheriff Election of 1880: Voter Fraud Defined in Arizona Territory
What History is Made of: Ballot Box Stuffing
Part 2
Continuation of:
A Cast of Characters:
A handful of individuals who were involved in one of the Biggest Voter Fraud events in Arizona History:
Judge C. G. W. French
Joseph Isaac "Ike" Clanton
William S. Oury
James Albert Zabriskie
The Instigator
Joseph Isaac 'Ike" Clanton was born in Callaway County Missouri in 1847. He arrived in Arizona Territory about 1870 with his family. His father was known as Old Man Clanton and a leader of the notorious "Cow-Boy" faction. By 1880 Ike, as he was known, had been accused or arrested for acts against persons, property, County and Territorial laws. He was close friends with Johnny Ringo, Curly Bill Brocius and other "Cow-Boys". Ike's brushes with the law did not stop an official appointment as Election Inspector at San Simon, a small community on the extreme eastern edge of Pima County. The details of this appointment will be brought out in a future posting about this story. Ike is most commonly known for his participation, or lack of participation, in the Gun Battle on Fremont Street, or better known as the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral on October 26, 1881 It was at that gunfight where Ike's brother Billy, along with Frank and Tom McLaury were killed by the Earps brothers and Doc Holliday. Ike was killed on June 1, 1887 while allegedly in the act of cattle rustling.
The Puppet Master
William Sanders Oury was born August 13, 1817 at Abingdon, Virginia. In 1830 he arrived in Texas and served with the Army of the Republic of Texas and the Texas Rangers until he left for the California Gold Rush in 1849. Oury spent about 6 years in California before moving to the newest addition of the Arizona Territory in 1856. Tucson was a small pueblo in the newly acquired area of the Gadsden Purchase in extreme southern part of the Territory.
From 1860 onward Oury would be known as a Confederate sympathizer. on May 11, 1864 Oury was appointed Mayor of Tucson by Governor Goodwin, he was also elected Sheriff, and then accused of selling weapons to Sonora, Mexico.
On April 28, 1875, Oury and Juan Elias organized 148 men, on April 30th, they attacked and killed 118 Apache, known as the Camp Grant Massacre, Oury and Elias actually did not participate in the attack. Instead they watched from a nearby hill as the attack took place. All individuals involved were acquitted by Judge Titus who believed the expedition was legal. In 1875 Oury appointed Shibell, his protege, to Pima County Deputy. In 1880, Oury is serving as Pima County Board of Supervisor's Clerk, and was partially responsible for the appointments of Election Judges, and Inspectors. The 1881 testimony in the voter fraud case, shows Oury as a manipulative master over the unlawful participants of the voter fraud in San Simon and other Precincts.
Paul v Shibell
Pima County Sheriff Election of 1880: Voter Fraud Defined in Arizona Territory
What History is Made of: Ballot Box Stuffing
Part 3
A Continuation:
A Cast of Characters:
A handful of individuals who were involved in one of the Biggest Voter Fraud events in Arizona History:
Judge C. G. W. French
James Albert Zabriskie
The Judge
Honorable Charles G. W. French was born in 1820 at Massachusetts. French traveled to California in 1856, arriving after the first chaotic years of the Gold Rush. French served as a lawyer in Sacramento, developing a fine attention to detail and observation. in 1876 he was appointed as First Judicial District Judge at Tucson, Arizona Territory. He held this position until 1884. While acting at First Judicial District Judge, French heard the case of voter fraud that took place in the 1880 Pima County Sheriff Election. In January 1881, French ruled in favor of Robert Paul as winner of the election. After retiring his position in 1884, French returned to Sacramento. French died August 15, 1891 at Lick House in San Francisco.
The Attorney
James Albert Zabriskie was born May 29, 1844 at New Jersey. He was educated at West Point and Columbia University. In 1856 he moved to California and joined the Lyons Guard during the Civil War. James practiced law with his father in California
in 1878 James arrived in Tucson as an Officer of the Treasury Department, resigned his post, and then began to practice law in the Territory. In 1880, James served as 1 of 6 attorney's for Shibell.
Paul v Shibell
Pima County Sheriff Election of 1880: Voter Fraud Defined in Arizona Territory
What History is Made of: Ballot Box Stuffing
Part 4
What Really Happened (Part 1)
Bob Paul was the most experienced lawman in the Arizona Territory when he campaigned for the Pima County Sheriff Office in 1880, although he had only been in the Territory a few years, he was well respected and had acquired numerous, loyal friends along the way, to include Wyatt Earp. Charles Shibell was also fairly experienced; however, he was more Political regarding his office. Shibell had worked under William Oury as a Pima County Deputy; and regarded his connections as strong political gains. Shibell had been in the Territory since 1864 when he mustered out of the military and he was also an Anglo whose first wife was a local Mexican, which tied him strongly to the Hispanic community. While Paul was known to be an extremely honest man, Shibell was known to be a man who said and did what was necessary to get ahead, honestly or not.
October 27th, 1880, Curly Bill Brocius, a key member of the ‘Cow-Boy’ faction, kills Tombstone Marshal Fred White. Wyatt Earp, a witness to the incident and Pima County Deputy under Shibell since July 1880, arrests Brocius and takes him to Tucson. Earp was a friend of Shibell but would soon become a staunch supporter and close friend of Paul. Earp resigns his position under Shibell on November 9th in order to not show preference.
While the ‘Cow-Boy’ faction is desperately trying to free their close ally Brocius from the charges of murder of Fred White, who died of his wounds on October 30th, William Oury, a Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, is well aware of who is being appointed key positions throughout the county for the upcoming elections. Who will no doubt work in favor of Shibell.
Paul v Shibell
Pima County Sheriff Election of 1880: Voter Fraud Defined in Arizona Territory
What History is Made of: Ballot Box Stuffing
Part 5
What Really Happened (Part 2)
Ike Clanton, a notorious leader of the unruly and unlawful ‘Cow-Boy’ faction, was appointed Election Inspector at the San Simon Precinct, with Johnny Ringo, a notorious gunfighter and fellow ‘Cow-Boy’, and A.H. Thompson being appointed Election Judges by the Pima County Board of Supervisors. With this combination of known dishonest individuals in control at San Simon there was bound to be questionable voting and ballot submissions. Especially with the idea to hold the elections at the Clanton house, which was located on the border of New Mexico and Arizona Territories, for which Clanton was not quite sure which Territory his house was in. Thus, choosing Joe Magill’s house instead.
The day of the election arrived, and the Pima County Registered Voters went to the polls to cast their ballots. San Simon had about 12 registered voters, however when the Board of Supervisors received the count, there were 104 ‘voters’. Hence, stuffing the ballot box with potentially fraudulent votes.
The votes at San Simon were in favor of Shibell, with only one vote for Paul. On November 15, 1880, the Board of Supervisors certified Shibell as Pima County Sheriff. On November 19, Paul requested the voter/poll lists from San Simon, Solomonville, Turkey Creek and Benson Precincts. Taking the first steps necessary in challenging the Boards decision, Paul quickly moved forward to identify the voters whom he believed to be fraudulent, as was in accordance with Territorial Law.
Upon finding several questionable ‘voters’, and an admission of fraud by Jim Johnson, Paul’s Attorneys filed a ‘Statement of Contest’ with the District Court in Tucson on December 18, 1880. On December 20, Charles Shibell was served with the Statement of Contest, he has hired 6 attorneys to defend his case, including J. C. Perry who was then acting as Brocius’ attorney. The case was set to begin on December 28. December 27, after hearing testimony from several witnesses, Judge Neugass released Brocius ruling that White’s actions caused his own death. Although Wyatt had testified, he fully believes Brocius has knowledge and may be the key to proving the voter fraud in San Simon.
Paul v Shibell
Pima County Sheriff Election of 1880: Voter Fraud Defined in Arizona Territory
What History is Made of: Ballot Box Stuffing
Part 6
The Ruling
Paul wins his case under Judge French. However, Shibell refuses to leave office, he files an appeal with Arizona Territorial Supreme Court in February 1881. While awaiting the appeal decision, Shibell conducts all business in the field so that he is not physically in his office to be forcibly removed. On April 12, 1881, the appeal is dismissed, and Paul is declared Pima County Sheriff. Shibell reluctantly leaves his office.
The Dramatic Results
In 1880 Pima County is a county in turmoil. Because Arizona is still a Territory, demands are made on the Federal Government to lend assistance to the "Cow-Boy" faction troubles and lawlessness. In 1881, Cochise County is established. Cut off from the larger Pima County, Cochise County is roughly the whole of Southern Arizona Territory, stretching from the border with California to the New Mexico Territory Border and south to the international border with Mexico.
While waiting for the decision on the appeal, the most dramatic incident of the whole case occurred. Bob Paul had gone back to work as a Well Fargo Shotgun Agent, riding the stagecoaches from Tombstone to Tucson. On March 15, 1881 there was an ambush at Drew's Station on the San Pedro River. An attempted assassination of Bob Paul, that resulted in the murder of Eli "Bud" Philpot, the driver, and Peter Roerig, a passenger.
On October 26, 1881, at Tombstone, the conflict between the Earps and Cow-Boys escalated into one of the west's most celebrated gunfights. The Earp brothers; Virgil, Wyatt and Morgan, joined by Doc Holliday and the Cow-Boys Ike and Billy Clanton, and brothers Tom and Frank McLaury with Billy Claiborne participated in a roughly 30 second gun fight that left Billy Clanton, Frank and Tom McLaury dead on the streets of Tombstone.
As a result of that gun fight, an attempted assassination of Virgil Earp in December 1881, left Virgil crippled without the use of his left arm for the rest of his life. In March 1882, Morgan Earp was assassinated while playing billiards in Campbell and Hatch's in Tombstone. This was the last straw for Wyatt, while Virgil survived, Morgan died and Wyatt along with Doc Holliday, Texas Jack Vermillion, Turkey Creek Jack Johnson, and others went on the now infamous "Vendetta Ride" to dismantle the Cow-Boy faction for good. Wyatt intended to kill all those responsible for Virgil's maiming and Morgan's death. This act of revenge subsequently forced the Earps and Holliday out of Arizona Territory with warrant sworn out for their arrest.
Source Information for this Story is attributed to the following:
Arizona Territory 1863-1912 A Political History, Jay J. Wagoner, The University of Arizona Press 1980
Election Fraud 1880: The Case of Paul v Shibell, Robert F. Palmquist 1986
The Earp Papers In A Brothers Image, Don Chaput, Affiliated Writers of America Inc., 1994
Paul v Shibell, Pima County Arizona Territory Case 1881
Robert Havlin Paul, Roy B. Young, Young & Sons Enterprises 2009
Tombstone A Quick History, Nancy Sosa & Jim Nelson, Blue Chicken Publishing 2009
When Law Was In The Holster, John Boessenecker, University of Oklahoma Press: Norman 2012
***Photos Available in The Great Election Fraud of 1880 Photo Gallery***
Copyright 2017 ~ Nancy Lewis Sosa ~ All Rights Reserved ~ No Portion of this Document May Be Used Without Written Permission of Author
Finding Drew's Station
An Archaeology and Historical Research Expedition
Using Historical Records and Evidence to Locate a Lost Historic Site in Cochise County
William Henry Harrison Drew, born in Brooklyn, New York in September 1819. Died in Contention, Pima County, Arizona Territory November 6, 1879 from Typhoid. Buried in Contention Cemetery, Contention, Cochise County (formerly Pima County), Arizona.
The story on William begins with his arrival in Arizona Territory around 1877 when the historic records show him and his family being on a ranch adjacent to Henry Hookers ranch in the north-eastern part of what is now Cochise County, known as Russelville.
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William left his older sons to run the cattle ranch while he took his wife, Georgiann (known as Ann), and their youngest children to a homestead he settled on the San Pedro River. William built a small adobe house, horse corral and a stage station on his homestead. The station, known as Drew's Station was in operation from 1877 until 1882. It was located on the river road that connected Tombstone to Benson. The road was known to be from Tombstone, in a westerly direction to Watervale, about 3 miles from Tombstone, thence on to Fairbank on the San Pedro River, along the river to Contention City, onward to Drew's Station, next stop was Curtis Flats before ending at Benson. Drew's station was about the middle stopping station between Fairbank and Benson.
Ann Drew provided meals and fresh fruit pies made from the fruit in the adjacent family orchard, to the guests who stopped at the station waiting on the stagecoach that would take them to their next destination. On March 17, 1879 William was appointed Post Master of the San Pedro Post office, an official post office was opened on April 22, 1879.
In June 1879 there was an altercation between Robert Mason and William Drew over an irrigation ditch. Mason, a direct neighbor to Drew, accosted Drew with a shovel, over access and ownership over the irrigation ditch. The irrigation ditch in question actually served several owners along the San Pedro River. Mason was arrested over the physical assault. The case went to trial and Drew subsequently won.
On September 15, 1879, Drew, Mason, Griffith and Cable (all owners of the irrigation ditch) sign an agreement with Western Mining Co. for use of the ditch to provide water to the Sunset/Head Center Mill that was located between Contention and Drew's Station.
On November 6, 1879 William died from Typhiod Fever. He was buried at the Contention Cemetery. His son Edward Landers Drew arrived at the station help his mother and younger siblings run the station until 1882.
When William Henry Harrison Drew homesteaded on the San Pedro River in 1877 he would establish a stage station about 200 yards from the river road that connected Tombstone to Benson. The booming mining camp would establish regular stage routes by 1879, with stages passing by Drew's Station several times daily. Several Surveys had been conducted in the area for Contention City, the Sunset/Head Center Mill Site, Fairbank and two Spanish Land Grants that were officially recognized by the US Government.
One Spanish Land Grant in particular directly affected Drew's Property, The San Juan de las Boquillas y Nogales land grant encompassed a large portion of the San Pedro River area, beginning near Fairbank and reaching almost to Curtis Flats. Drew's homestead was at the northernmost section of the land grant. On February 23, 1881 US Government Surveyor Solon M Allis began the Preliminary Survey of the land grant. On February 26, 1881 Solon Allis surveyed River Road just 300 feet from Drew's house. Allis notated Drew's house in the survey notes as well as on the New Mexico & Arizona Railroad Survey he conducted at the same time.
The New Mexico & Arizona Narrow Gauge Railroad was scheduled to be built along the River Road of the San Pedro from Fairbank to Benson, beginning in 1882. The NM & AZ RR would have rails laid just a few hundred feet from Drew's property. On December 22, 1881, Ann Drew would sign an easement agreement with NM & AZ RR in regards to the station point located at her property. This agreement provides mileage information on the railroad track location as well as exact measurements from Drew's property to the center-line of the railroad.
Going back to 1879 for a moment, we can share the story of Drew and his neighbor Robert Mason. In the summer of 1878 a group of neighbors on the San Pedro River built a shared irrigation ditch, Drew, Mason, Davis, Cable, Griffith and Jennings. The San Pedro River flows from South to North, with Jennings property being at the southerly most point of the ditch and Drew at the northerly most point. The parties would alternate use and coordinate the opening of the various ditch gates to water their respective farms and orchards. The first week of June 1879 Mason got into an argument with Drew, with Mason firing off a shot at Drew. In response, Drew hit Mason with a shovel. Mason was arrested for the assault and taken to Tucson to go before the Judge. As a result of this arrest, Mason claimed ownership of the ditch, Drew filed against that claim and the case went to court. Drew submitted a fantastic map of the area in question, to include River Road, all owners of record on the irrigation ditch and included various measurements. The Judge decided that all parties had equal claim to the ditch and threw out Mason's singular claim. In September 1879, the group of neighbors would sign and agreement with the Western Mining Co., which owned the Sunset/Head Center mill just down the road from the group between Drew's Property and Contention City. The agreement was for use of water from the irrigation ditch for the mill site. Subsequently, this was entered into various location records of the mill site.
It is with these three maps, the agreements, county tax records and other government records for roads, that History Raiders was able to located Drew's Station, Drew's house and more importantly the ambush location of a stage coach that was traveling from Tombstone to Benson one cold March night.
**Photos available in the Find Drew's Station Photo Gallery**
Copyright 2017 ~ Nancy Lewis Sosa ~ All Rights Reserved ~
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