12
November 2020
www.GlobeMiamiTimes.com
Bullion Recognizes Gila County Sheriff Glenn Reynolds
Executive Tom Foster commemorated the anniversary of Reynolds’ death by filming a video at the gravesite. You can view this by going to Bullion Plaza’s Facebook page. WITH LINDA GROSS AND TOM FOSTER
T
his month, Bullion Plaza Museum recognizes Gila County Sheriff Glenn Reynolds, who was killed in the line of duty on November 2, 1889, as he was transporting nine prisoners from Globe to the railhead at Casa Grande, where they would be then transported to the territorial jail in Yuma. The prisoners were considered dangerous and included the Apache Kid, seven other convicted Apaches who were charged with terrorizing the settlements of the Arizona Territory, and a Mexican embezzler by the name of Jesús Avota. The first leg of the trip, requiring a two day journey by stage, was considered so risky because of a full cargo of “dangerous Apaches” by the stage line drivers that owner Gene Middleton was left to do the job himself. Newspapers would later question
Reynolds’ choice to take on the dangerous task with just his deputy and stage driver. One newspaper editor point suggested it was the Gila County Supervisors who refused to provide “proper guard” and others suggest that Reynolds may have been swayed by confidence in his own abilities and that of his deputy, Hunkydory Holmes. Confidence that proved fatal. At the time, he was 35 years old and had a reputation for being “one of the best shots in the whole Southwest,” according to writer William MacLeod Raine. “In a land where men are quick on the trigger, Glenn Reynolds commanded unusual respect for his nerve and skill.” The party of ten made their way across the Pinal Mountains, crossing the Gila River, and came to rest at Riverside Station. The morning dawned and brought a light drizzle and snow. By the
Comprehensive Hearing Testing & Evaluations Call today for a Free Demonstration and Discount Pricing of the Latest Hearing Aid Technology
Glenn Reynolds gravesite in the old Globe cemetery. Photo by LCGross
time the party reached the Kelvin grade, they faced inclines and deep sand, which bogged down progress. Reynolds made the call to offload the prisoners and have everyone push the stage forward. It was a fateful call. Usually cautious and requiring prisoners to always be in front of him, Reynolds had taken the lead beside Holmes, with the prisoners pushing from behind. It was bitterly cold, still drizzling rain and snow, and the two lawmen had on heavy coats, fully buttoned, and gloves, to protect them from the cold. As they proceeded up the incline, the Apache prisoners began to close the distance, and seized the opportunity to grab Deputy Holmes. They beat him to the ground, took his Winchester rifle, and fired one shot… killing him instantly. As Reynolds turned, he found it was too late to go to Holmes’ aid. He was shot with Holmes’ rifle as he was driven to the ground. He tried desperately to retain his shotgun, and reached for his revolver, but he was held fast. His buttoned coat and heavy gloves kept him from his revolver. His shotgun was removed, and both barrels were fired point blank into his face. Avota, witnessing the carnage, fled for his life and he managed to make his way to Florence for help. (He would later be pardoned by Arizona Governor Lewis Wolfley for this act). The Apaches then returned to the stage, and freed the Apache Kid and one other prisoner who had remained shackled inside the stage. Gene Middleton, who had been shot in the initial fray, lay on the ground, covered in blood, near the stage. According to Middleton’s later account, when one of the warriors raised his firearm to shoot him again, the Apache Kid - speaking in English- waved him off, telling him to save his bullet, that he was already dead. Middleton would later manage to walk and crawl the five and a
Photograph of Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Reynolds circa 1880, taken in Texas before the couple packed up and moved to the Arizona territory and eventually to Globe, where he accepted the job of Gila County Sheriff. The photograph is part of the collection provided by the Matthews Family and Lambshead Ranch to The Portal to Texas History.
half miles to Riverside station. He would survive his brush with death, managing his stageline and living well into his 80s. In the end, all but the Apache Kid was rounded up and either shot, hung, or sent to prison. Governor Hunt placed a reward on the head of the Apache Kid, which was never claimed. The bodies of Glenn Reynolds and Hunkydory Holmes were brought back to Globe and buried in the old section. You can visit the cemetery where their graves have been prominently marked. The Apache Kid was never caught and no one knows what happened to him. During a gun battle in Mexico in 1890 with a band of Apaches, Glenn Reynolds’ watch and Colt single action revolver were retrieved. Through the Mexican Consul, these items were returned to the United States and presented to Glenn Reynolds’ widow in Texas. Bullion Plaza Cultural Center & Museum in Miami has reopened to the public with limited hours, Wednesday through Friday, from 11am to 2pm. See ad on page 15.
480-983-4000 Plus Servicing and Repair of Most Major Hearing Aid Brands Including:
Helping to secure your future. Located in Bashas’ Plaza in Gold Canyon 5331 S Superstition Mountain Dr., Suite C107
www.goldcanyonhearing.com
Fernando Shipley, Agent
928-425-7656 1400 N Broad Street • Globe, AZ 85501
www.fernandoshipley.com
