The Legend of John Slaughter

During the years 1886-1890, John Slaughter, also called "Texas John," was the sheriff of Cochise County. John Slaughter was a former Civil War veteran who came to Arizona as a rancher. He was elected Sheriff in 1886, and while in office, he tried his best to "clean up" Tombstone. His actions as sheriff would leave a lasting impact on law and order in the region.

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Heading to Arizona

John Slaughter was born is Louisiana but raised in Texas. During his time in Texas, he was a successful cattle rancher and later became a Texas Ranger. During his time as a ranger, the civil war started, where he fought in the Civil War (hence the nickname "Texas John"). He also was a major member of the San Antonio Ranch company. During a specific cattle drive in California, John picked up a poker habit and later became a professional gambler.

One particular incident with John occurred in 1876 in San Antio Texas during a game of poker. John Slaughter was playing alongside a man named Barney Gallagher. It is reported that during this game, John noticed Gallagher using marked cards. When Gallegher threw more money into the pot, John stood up, shoved his gun in his face, and walked out the door with the pot. This wasn't the end though. Barney thought John had stollen from him and followed him home to his ranch. Gallegher arrived at the ranch with a shotgun and fired at John. He missed and quickly received a fatal bullet back.

In 1878 Slaughter decided Texas had become too crowded and headed west to continue his ranching. He stopped in New Mexico, but very quickly moved to Arizona, where he bought the San Bernardino Ranch near Douglas in 1884. In 1886 he was elected Sheriff of Cochise County, where he made a lasting impact.

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The Clean Up

John Slaughter became Sheriff shortly after the gunfight at the OK Corral in 1881. During this time, there was more crime than ever with outlaws, bandits, and cowboys running loose. Slaughter was known for his polite, calm, and no-nonsense approach to crime. He shut down a lot of gangs and bandit groups such as the Jack Taylor Gang.

John served two terms as sheriff. Throughout those terms he shot and killed over a dozen men who "had it coming", showing he really lived up to his name. Arizona Highways sights him as being the type of man to never say anything twice. He was a "get out or get shot" kind of a sheriff. Historians note him as being the most effective force involved in stopping crime in Cochise County.

His worst mistake during his time in office was deciding to make Burt Alvord his deputy, and ranching assistant. Alvord was an alcoholic and was known to be tied to a lot of outlaws in the area. John thought he could use this as an advantage but was mistaken. After turning in one of his friends, Alvord left the life of law for a more profitable one found in bank robbing and train holding. His name quickly disappeared from history, but John's reputation was still shaky. For the rest of his life, he was chastised for the decision of hiring Burt Alvord.

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Life After Law

In 1890 John retired from his life as a sheriff, and his title as a professional gambler to focus on his ranch. During his time in Arizona, the San Bernardino Ranch had hired upwards of 20 cowboys and 30 families to help manage the 650,000 acres.

John still had issues with criminals such as Peg Leg Finney and Little Bob Stevens, but quickly stopped them with his gun. In 1901, at 60 years old, John joined up with a posse after an outlaw killed a young woman and her two kids. When John caught up with the outlaw and shot him multiple times.

Between taking care of criminals and ranching, John Slaughter opened two butcher shops in Bisbee, and a meat market in Charleston. You can visit Slaughter Ranch in Douglas and see where John Slaughter lived. Reservations can be booked online.

CONTINUE READING: Cochise County's Wild West Stories

To this day people still question John Slaughters tactics as sheriff. Whether or not you agree with his ways, Slaughter took care of the overwhelming criminal population, and for that his legacy remains firm. He was true to his name, owning butcher shops and taking down criminals. It is no wonder he is talked about over 150 years later.