Ed Drew facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ed Drew
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | August 22, 1865 |
| Died | May 15, 1911 (aged 45) |
| Cause of death | murder |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Deputy sheriff, rancher, miner |
Ed Drew (born August 22, 1865 – died May 15, 1911) was an American rancher, miner, and lawman. He lived during the final years of the Old West in Arizona. People remember him for his family of pioneers and his death during a shootout near Ray.
Contents
Ed Drew's Early Life
Edward Landers "Ed" Drew was born in Lander, Wyoming on August 22, 1865. His parents, William Henry Harrison Drew and Georgiann Stuart Drew, were traveling across the Great Plains to Montana. Ed had a twin brother, Edwin, who sadly died at birth. Ed grew up with his other brothers and sisters.
Moving to Arizona
By 1876, the Drew family moved to Arizona Territory. They settled near the San Pedro River close to Contention City. There, Ed's father, William Drew, built a ranch and a stagecoach station. This place later became known as Drew's Station.
When Ed was young, both he and his younger sister, Cora, became very skilled at riding horses. They won many contests in Arizona and New Mexico Territory between the 1890s and early 1900s. In 1888, when Cora was sixteen, Buffalo Bill Cody asked her to perform in his famous show, Buffalo Bill's Wild West. Her mother said no, probably because Cora was so young. However, Cora did get to visit the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago, Illinois.
The Bud Philpot Incident
On March 15, 1881, Ed Drew heard gunshots. He soon learned that Bud Philpot, a stagecoach driver, had been attacked and killed. This event was part of many incidents that led to the famous Gunfight at the O.K. Corral in Tombstone. Ed quickly rode his horse towards the sound of the shots. He found Philpot's body in a dry riverbed.
Ed then rode to a neighbor's house, T. W. Ayles. Ayles was writing a letter about the lack of law and order in the area. Ed told him what he had seen. Ayles added to his letter that Ed Drew, "a young son of the station keeper at Drew's Station," had reported finding the dead driver.
Starting the Bass Canyon Ranch
In 1884, Ed Drew started a cattle ranch at Bass Canyon in the Sulphur Springs Valley. He had worked for two years at the Johnson mine before this. Ed, two Mexican men, and a man named Melvin Jones brought a herd of cattle with them. As they rode through the land of Glendy King, an older man, King refused to let them pass.
Ed told King they would go through anyway. King then shot at Ed with a rifle, hitting the reins in his hands. Melvin Jones then used his Winchester and shot King, who died. Soon, rumors spread that Apache warriors had killed King.
Ed Drew later turned himself in to the local sheriff. The real story was then told. After being cleared of any wrongdoing in King's death, Ed and Melvin built their ranch. Ed went to Mexico to buy horses, leaving Melvin in charge. When Ed returned three months later with 1,000 horses, he found that Melvin had not done what they had agreed. So, Ed ended their partnership. The ranch then became known as the Drew Ranch.
Working for Henry Hooker
From 1894 to 1910, Ed Drew worked as a cowboy and foreman at the Sierra Bonita Ranch. This ranch was owned by Colonel Henry Hooker. Ed married Marie Preston from West Virginia on March 20, 1898. They had three children together. In the same year, the Drew Ranch was sold to Sam and Johnny Boyett. Johnny Boyett later became known for killing Warren Earp during an argument in a saloon in Willcox.
Moving to Pima, Arizona
Newspapers from 1900 reported that Ed Drew bought a farm in Pima from John Nash. He settled there with his family. However, he continued to work at the Sierra Bonita Ranch. The newspapers also mentioned that Ed broke his leg that year. This happened when he accidentally rode his horse off the edge of a cliff.
By 1909, Ed Drew had a mining claim in the Turquoise District. On February 12, 1909, a local newspaper reported that Ed sold his share of the Triangle No. 1 Mining Claim. He was to be paid $3,333.33 in payments over the next few years. However, he was killed in Sonoratown on May 15, 1911.
Ed Drew's Death in Sonoratown
On February 11, 1911, Ed Drew became a deputy for Pinal County Sheriff James E. McGree. Sadly, he was killed a short time after taking on this new role. On the night of May 15, 1911, just before midnight, Ed was in a saloon in Sonoratown. This was a small mining town south of Ray, Arizona. A man named Jack Monroe entered through the back door. He wore a mask and carried a revolver.
According to a newspaper report from May 17, 1911, Monroe immediately confronted Drew. Monroe told him to "Throw up your hands." Ed hesitated for a moment, not wanting to give up. Monroe then stepped closer and slapped Ed's face, telling him to "Throw up your hands damned quick." Instead, Ed pulled out his own revolver. Monroe then shot him. The newspaper said that the shot did not stop Ed. He began firing back and moving towards Monroe. Monroe retreated behind the bar, and the fight continued for a few seconds. Then, Ed Drew fell and died. He had been shot twice. It was later found that Monroe was also badly wounded in the chest, but he managed to escape the town.
The newspaper also reported that it was unclear if the shooting was a robbery attempt or a planned murder. Monroe did not try to rob the saloon afterward. Ed Drew was well-liked as an officer and had no known enemies. Jack Monroe was caught a few days later near Ray. He was suffering from a serious gunshot wound. This showed that Ed Drew fought bravely, even though he lost his life.
Ed Drew's body was taken to Pearce by his brother, Charles. He was buried in the Pearce Cemetery next to his mother, Georgiann, who died in 1906. Ed's tombstone mistakenly says he died on May 11, 1911, instead of May 15.
A newspaper in Courtland, Arizona, wrote about Ed Drew on May 20, 1911. It said that he was a deputy sheriff for Pinal County. He was killed while resisting a holdup in a saloon. The article mentioned that Mr. Drew was well-known and liked in Courtland. Many people attended his funeral, showing how much he was respected. Ed was born on the Great Plains on August 22, 1865. He was survived by his wife and three children: a girl aged 12, another aged 10, and a boy aged 7. He also had three brothers and one sister. Ed left his children a house and lot in Courtland, shares in a mine, and a $3,500 insurance policy. His wife and children had been living in Pima and were planning to move to Ray to be with him when this sad event happened.
The Drew Ranch is now owned by the Nature Conservancy. Members of Ed Drew's family still live in Arizona today.
Images for kids
-
Ed Drew, around 1905
