Cavalcade of Ask The Marshall

Lessons I have learned during more than a quarter century of "Ask the Marshall!"

- MARSHALL TRIMBLE

Mickey Free (front and center), with a group of Apache Scouts

How did Arizona finally rid itself of the outlaw Ike Clanton?

Dr. Ricas
Scottsdale, AZ

In 1887, Ike and Fin Clanton, a couple of cow thieves who survived the Cochise County War, moved their operations to the Springville area. Soon, they and their friends were accused of terrorizing local citizens, cattle rustling, train robbery and holding up the Apache County treasurer.

In April 1887, the Apache County Stock Association convened in St. Johns and hired a Pinkerton detective to keep on the gang. Sheriff Commodore Perry Owens also dispatched Apache County deputies Albert Miller and Rawhide Jake Brighton to go after the Clantons. Brighton, along with being constable at Springerville, was a range detective enforcing the law with a mail-order detective’s badge.