The Hashknife Outfit Sent Packing

Taylor Centennial Stories, printed p. 216   Original source: AN UGLY PLAN IS FOILED — By Elizabeth S. Shumway

When the Santa Fe Railroad came through Arizona about 1885, the Hashknife Cattle Company shipped hundreds of Texas long-homed cattle into the new territory, to be grazed on the grasses which were at that time, “Belly high to a long legged horse.” With these cattle came some lawless Texas cowhands.

In the new community of Taylor, dancing was a much enjoyed social activity, participated in by old and young alike. Some who did not care to dance came regularly to socialize and to listen to the sweet old fashioned music played by the fiddle, guitar, and mandolin and accordion. On one holiday occasion, a large group of the townspeople had gathered in the old log building which served as church, school, and recreation hall, for a pleasant evening. A group of the Hashknife boys appeared, supposedly to look on, perhaps to dance, but more particularly, as was found out later, to produce some obscene entertainment at the expense of the townspeople.

When the dance was well underway the out-of-town visitors strode forward and took over. The music was stopped. With guns drawn, they stood ready to enforce the orders given by one of the gang. “Ladies line up on the right, gents on the left. Now take off your clothes, get your partners, and go on dancing.”

As the people stood looking at each other in apprehension, someone had already done some clear thinking. Young Richard Franklin (Dick) Shumway had hurried to the woodpile behind the building and had picked up a pine knot that very much resembled a six-shooter. He came through the front door carrying his improvised weapon and in an unostentatious manner he faced the intruders and said in firm authoritative tones, “Stick ’em up! Now you foul minded So-and SO’s, pile your guns in the comer there, and then get out of town!” The ruffians complied, made their exit, and rode away.

Joseph Hancock’s Warning

Taylor Centennial Stories, printed p. 21–22    Original source: JOSEPH SMITH HANCOCK — story told by Arthur Hancock

The following short story is told by Arthur Hancock. He is the sixth son of Joseph Smith Hancock and Emily Davis Wallace. His parents arrived in Taylor, New Years Day, 1880.

Joseph Hancock was fencing a little plot of land in the lower Linden Valley to raise a dry land crop, as irrigation was not yet available for his land in Taylor.

It was early morning, and Joseph was busy cutting posts to make a “rip-gut” fence, when a man in work clothes came up to him and told him to quickly get his tools and get out of there before the Indians killed him, and to go and warn his brothers and those West of him. He never questioned the man, but quickly turned to go get his crowbar and shovel, and as he turned back to say something to the man, he had gone as suddenly as he had come.

As Joseph came home to Taylor, he stopped on the way by Lone Pine and warned the settlers there to get out quickly. Brother Robinson stopped to gather some cattle and was killed that afternoon by Indians. Joseph came on home and told his wife, Emily, of his warning, and she hurriedly fixed him a lunch, and he saddled his horse, and road for Cottonwood Wash out of Clay Springs, where his brother Mosiah and his sons were camped.

On his way through Clay Springs, he stopped to warn the Perkins families to get out. He arrived at Mosiah’s camp after dark and told them of his warning, and Mosiah went to get his tools that were a short way from camp. It was dark, so one of his sons grabbed a large armful of pine

needles and started a fire. It immediately blazed forth in a bright light. Joseph ran as quickly as he could and kicked it out. When Mosiah came back with his tools he said,”Who kicked the fire out”? “I did”, Joseph answered. “Well, you just saved an Indians life. As that fire blazed up, an Indian had his gun aimed at that boy, and I had my axe raised to come down on the Indians head, when you put the fire out”, Mosiah said.

William Hancock’s Sheep in the Blizzard

Taylor Centennial Stories, printed p. 221   Original source: WILLIAM HANCOCK STORIES\

On November 15, 1917, Will Hancock was taking 8,000 sheep over the Mogollon mountains to the Salt River Valley for the winter. He was caught on top of the mountain in a blinding, wind and snow storm. This storm lasted for three days and nights. The branches of the trees were so heavily laden with snow that they snapped from the trees, making a popping sound like guns. When the storm subsided the snow was belt deep. There was grain for the mules and horses, and food for the men, but eighteen pack burros and the sheep had to nibble at bark or anything they could find. They were in a desperate situation. Will decided to cut a large pine branch and he tied this to the saddle horn of Jack Turks horse. Jack lead the procession for making trail. Will followed on his horse, leading three pack mules, then came the three camp rustlers on their horses and the eighteen pack burros. Following single file, down this narrow packed trail, came the eager sheep and their herders. There was no loss resulting from this experience and soon they were in Pleasant Valley  then on to the green pastures in the Salt River Valley.

Otto and the Bull

Taylor Centennial Stories, printed p. 227–228   Original source: KIDS — by Otto Palmer

One day Otto and Roy Palmer were out riding horses in Palmer’s pasture. They didn’t have much to do except eajoy themselves so they thought they’d do a little roping and play cowboy. They began throwing a rope at a big bull for practice. They didn’t have very good luck, because they were novices but they persisted and finally Otto caught the bull by it’s head. He was very much surprised, and didn’t know what to do about.the situation. Roy helped him out, he succeeded in roping the feet.

“Now what?” asked Otto. “He’s your bull,” replied Roy. So Otto got off his horse and successfully untied the head. The bull was angry at the treatment he had received and began struggling, and in doing so, he broke the old rope Roy had used on his heels. He started straight for Otto. Otto couldn’t get to his horse, so ran for the nearest thing he could see. That was a small cedar tree. The bull and the boy played cat and mouse around that scrub cedar for some time and Roy just sat on his horse and laughed. “Do something,” yelled Otto, and Roy just laughed louder. Finally the bull started right over the top: then Otto was excited. Maybe the bull got tired of Roy laughing at him, at any rate pretty soon he gave up the contest. Roy didn’t think the bull would do much damage because he was polled, but Otto still doesn’t believe he wasn’t in a mighty tough situation.