Questions remain about Arizona’s worst shoot-out—even outdoing the O.K. Corral gunfight.
A lot of Old West gunfights were quick, bloody affairs that left more questions than answers as each side had its own version of events. The Powers shoot-out is one of those. And it was bloody—the worst in Arizona history, even outdoing the legendary Gunfight Behind the O.K. Corral.
In early 1918, the Powers men were working a gold mine in the remote Kielberg Canyon, located in the Galiuro Mountains of Graham County. Father Jeff, sons Tom and John, and hired man Tom Sisson lived in a shack on site. World War I was going on, and Tom and John were both of draft age. That’s where the stories diverge.
The boys claimed they tried to register for the draft, but were turned away. The federal government claimed Jeff told his sons to avoid service.
This story is from the February 2018 edition of True West.
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This story is from the February 2018 edition of True West.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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Where Did the Loot Go? - This is one of those find the money stories. And it's one that has attracted treasure hunters for more than 150 years.
Whatever happened to the $97,000 from the Reno Gang's last heist? Up to a dozen members of the Reno Gang stopped a Jeffersonville, Madison and Indianapolis train at a watering station in southern Indiana. The outlaws had prior intelligence about its main load: express car safes held about $97,000 in government bonds and notes. In the process of the job, one of the crew was killed and two others hurt. The gang made a clean getaway with the loot.
Hero of Horsepower - Los Angeles lawman William Hammel tamed one of the West's wildest towns with hard work and horseless carriages.
Los Angeles lawman William Hammel tamed one of the West's wildest towns with hard work and horseless carriages.
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Discover Wyoming on a road trip to Cody, Casper and Cheyenne.
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Wilbur Zink has preserved the Younger Gang's history in more ways than one.
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After the Civil War, savvy frontiersmen chose the Spencer repeating carbine.
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Rock Island gavels off high profits from historic firearms.
She Means Business!
An energetic and ambitious woman has come to Lincoln, New Mexico, to restore the town's legendary Ellis Store.
Ride that Train!
HERITAGE RAILROADS KEEP THE OLD WEST ALIVE ACROSS THE UNITED STATES.
Saddle Up with a Western
Old West fiction and nonfiction are the perfect genres to fill your summer reading list.
RENEGADES OF THE RAILS
RAILROADS WERE OPEN SEASON FOR OKLAHOMA AND INDIAN TERRITORY OUTLAW GANGS.
