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Henry Garfias Màs hombre de los hombres

Fearless Hispanic lawman tamed wild Phoenix

Police archivists and local historians agree that an overlooked and untold story is that of Henry Garfias, the first town marshal of the fledgling town of Phoenix.

“Henry’s deeds are the stuff that legends are made of, but for some reason history seems to have forgotten this remarkable man,” says Rob Settembre, a lieutenant and history buff with the Phoenix Police Department.

“Although history may have forgotten Henry, his exploits rival and in most cases surpass some of the more famous lawmen of the old West,” Settembre continues. “Henry Garfias remains a colorful part of our police history.”

It would not be until Ruben B. Ortega was appointed police chief on Feb. 25, 1980 that another Latino would head Phoenix’s police authority.

It could be argued that Garfias, originally a Californian of Spanish descent, was an illustrious lawman on par with Tombstone lawmen Vigil and Wyatt Earp, but the Latino lawman needed a better publicist. While the Earps and several amigos killed three enemies at the OK Corral, Garfias once singlehandedly outdrew and killed four cowboys in one gunfight, according to Settembre.

A PROUD HISTORY

Henry Garfias was born in 1851 in what now is Anaheim, Calif. He was the son of a Mexican army general and Spanish was his first language. He came to Arizona in 1871 and settled in Wickenburg, according to historical sources.

By 1874, Garfias moved to Phoenix and at age 23, pinned on the badge of a county deputy sheriff. Phoenix, in 1874, was a settlement of about 1,600 people. “Whiskey Row” was on the north side of Washington between Center and First streets. It was there that Garfias established a reputation as lightning-fast and deadly with a pistol.

A large free-for-all fight had erupted at the Capital Saloon. He pushed his way into the crowd and announced his presence to the combatants. At 5’9’’, with a slender but muscular build, Garfias was taunted by a large man: “Look who’s here. You start dancing and you’d better cut some fancy steps ahead of this lead.”

When he made a motion for his gun Henry warned: “Don’t do it.” The man’s draw had just started when a gunshot exploded in the saloon. Witnesses reported Garfias was so fast on the draw, they barely saw his gun leave the holster. The large man stumbled and toppled to the floor, dead.

From that day forward, Garfias set out to tame Phoenix. He would swing into action to quell disturbances and roust rowdy ranchers and miners visiting town on Saturday nights. In those days, the military garrison stationed at Fort McDowell was the only true authority in the region, so the Latino lawman provided a sorely needed service.

A GOVERNMENT IN HIMSELF

By 1881, Phoenix had incorporated into a town. Garfias was appointed as the town marshal. He was officially the first Phoenix police officer. The town marshal was one of the most important men in the early history of Phoenix. He also was the first town marshal elected at the first municipal election and re-elected annually until 1886.

Garfias was sometimes referred to as a “government in himself.” During his 22 years of law enforcement service, Henry served in several official duties, including town marshal, assessor, tax collector and pound master. Some sources say that Garfias started a newspaper with his brother-in-law. From 1881 to 1886, he received $100 a month for his lawman duties, a good salary for the day, and a $3 bonus for every conviction he obtained.

Danger was always present on the frontier. One local newspaper reported that Garfias was “brave and conscientious and never failed in his duty no matter how much danger menaced him.” In 1881, a couple of cowboys shot up the town until the Hispanic lawman winged one of them. Another time Garfias was confronted by four cowboys shooting at him, from horseback and on foot. He killed them all.

On April 13, 1883, he was married in a Phoenix Catholic church to Elena Redondo. He and Elena had a daughter and a son. In addition ot his official duties, he ran a successful cattle ranch in Castle Springs. Between the cattle ranch and his salary, Garfias prospered and should have died a wealthy man. But he was very generous. He never turned anyone away and gave away most of his earnings, sources say.

On May 2, 1896, Garfias was riding one of his favorite horses when it threw him and rolled over on him. At the time, he was suffering from tuberculosis and old wounds. He died seven days later. He was praised in papers of the day. On May 9, 1896, the Saturday morning edition of the Arizona Republican carried a story with the headline, “A Brave Officer Gone.” Other headlines announced: “He was one who knew no fear” and “Some of his deeds won for him Southwestern renown.”

The Republican also reported, “Arizona has had many brave men, but for cool determined nerve, coupled with a modest unassuming manner. Henry Garfias stood at the head.” The Phoenix Herald praised his bravery and reported what has been stated repeatedly, that Henry Garfias, “had the reputation of never going after a man that did not return with him, dead or alive.”

A special dispay has been dedicated to Henry Garfias at the Phoenix Police Museum, 101 S. Central Ave., in the Barrister Place Building. The museum is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. For more information call (602) 534-7278.