Henry Garfias – 1st Marshal of Phoenix
Enrique "Henry" Garfias, a name perhaps not as widely recognized as some of his contemporaries in the annals of the Old West, holds a significant place in the history of Arizona. As the first marshal of Phoenix, his courage and dedication to law and order arguably surpass those of many more celebrated figures. This article delves into the life and times of Henry Garfias, shedding light on his remarkable contributions to the burgeoning city of Phoenix and the broader landscape of the American West. This is the tale of Henry Garfias and his role in early Phoenix.
Born in 1851 in what is now Anaheim, California, Enrique Garfias inherited a strong lineage from his father, a Mexican Army General. At the age of 20, he ventured eastward to Arizona, initially settling in the mining town of Wickenburg. Three years later, in 1874, he made his way to the fledgling settlement of Phoenix, a town on the cusp of transformation. In that era, Phoenix was a small community of approximately 1,600 residents. Downtown lots were modestly priced, selling for a mere $7 to $11 each. The year 1874 also marked a significant milestone for the town, as it received its first telegraph line, connecting it to the wider world. This progress set the stage for the future growth and development of Phoenix.
Upon arriving in Phoenix, Henry Garfias secured a position as a county deputy sheriff. This role thrust him into the heart of the town’s underbelly, where he honed his skills as a marksman while confronting the diverse characters frequenting "Whiskey Row," a notorious stretch of saloons and establishments on the north side of Washington Street. One particular incident in the Capital Saloon exemplified Garfias’s courage and quick reflexes. While attempting to quell a chaotic brawl, the slender but well-built, 5’9" deputy found himself face-to-face with a significantly larger man. The man taunted Garfias, suggesting he "cut some fancy steps ahead of this lead," as he menacingly moved his hand toward his gun. Undeterred, Garfias issued a firm warning: "Don’t do it."
However, the man foolishly underestimated Garfias’s prowess with a six-gun. As he began to draw his weapon, Garfias swiftly responded, drawing his own gun and fatally shooting the man before he could even clear his holster. This incident served as a stark reminder of Garfias’s deadly accuracy and unwavering resolve in the face of danger.
Phoenix continued to expand rapidly. Within a year of Garfias’s arrival, the town boasted 16 saloons and four dance halls, many clustered along the infamous Whiskey Row. Determined to bring order to the lawless town, Garfias diligently responded to the frequent disturbances, particularly prevalent on Saturday nights. The only other semblance of law enforcement in the region was the military garrison stationed at Fort McDowell, located more than 30 miles away. Their distance rendered them largely ineffective in addressing the immediate and often lethal situations that arose in Phoenix. As Henry Garfias consistently curbed disturbances, the Latino lawman’s reputation began to spread throughout the region.
In 1881, Phoenix officially incorporated as a town, and Garfias was appointed as the town marshal. This appointment was followed by a formal municipal election, which Garfias won decisively, becoming the highest-elected Mexican American official in the Valley during the 19th century. For the next five years, he served as the city’s first marshal, continuing his efforts to subdue the rowdies and maintain order in Phoenix. The story of Henry Garfias shows the wild west was tamed by brave men.
Another anecdote highlights Garfias’s unwavering dedication to his duty, even when facing personal animosity. When tasked with arresting an outlaw named Oviedo, better known as the "Saber Slasher," Garfias approached the situation with trepidation, as the two men were personal enemies, and Oviedo had threatened to kill Garfias on sight. Nevertheless, Garfias followed through with the warrant and sought out the dangerous outlaw. Upon finding Oviedo, Garfias fearlessly approached him. Oviedo wasted no time, grabbing his shotgun and firing point-blank at the marshal. However, Oviedo had underestimated Garfias. By the time the buckshot from Oviedo’s shotgun harmlessly whizzed over Garfias’s head, Garfias had already fired two fatal bullets into Oviedo’s body.
On another occasion, a group of Texas cowboys rode into Phoenix, immediately displaying their penchant for "shooting up the town." Unfamiliar with Marshal Garfias, they recklessly fired shots at doors, signs, and hanging lamps along Washington Street. Upon hearing the commotion, Garfias swiftly intervened, demanding that the cowboys drop their guns and surrender immediately. The cowboys, however, ignored his orders and opened fire. When the smoke cleared, Garfias remained unharmed, while one cowboy was wounded, and another lay dead. Garfias promptly rounded up the remaining cowboys and incarcerated them in the town jail.
Yet another tale recounts an incident in which Garfias was confronted by four rowdy cowboys who began shooting at him from horseback while he was on foot. Despite being outnumbered and outgunned, Garfias once again prevailed, leaving all four cowboys dead in the dusty street. Henry Garfias was a man who faced danger head on.
Amidst his law enforcement duties, Garfias found time for personal pursuits. On April 13, 1883, he married Elena Redondo, and the couple eventually had a daughter and a son. In addition to his marshal duties, which paid him $100 a month plus a $3 bonus for every conviction he obtained, Garfias also ran a successful cattle ranch in Castle Springs and established a Spanish newspaper called El Progreso with his brother-in-law.
For 22 years, Garfias continued to serve in various official capacities, holding positions such as town marshal, assessor, tax collector, constable, pound master, and street superintendent. His long tenure and diverse roles reflect his commitment to the community and his willingness to serve in any capacity necessary.
Ironically, Henry Garfias did not meet his end in one of his many dangerous confrontations but rather from a fall from a horse. On May 2, 1896, while riding one of his favorite horses, the animal spooked, throwing him off and rolling on top of him. Although Garfias initially survived the fall, he also suffered from tuberculosis and lingering pains from old wounds. Seven days later, on May 8, he succumbed to his injuries and passed away.
Following his death, newspapers lauded Garfias as a "brave and conscientious" man who "never failed in his duty no matter how much danger menaced him." Headlines proclaimed, "He was one who knew no fear," and "Some of his deeds won for him Southwestern renown." The Republican newspaper declared that "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 reiterated the widely held belief that Henry Garfias "had the reputation of never going after a man that did not return with him, dead or alive."
During his lifetime, Henry Garfias was arguably one of the most honest lawmen and sharpest gunfighters in the American West, on par with more famous names such as Wyatt Earp, Virgil Earp, and Wild Bill Hickok. His deeds were the stuff that legends are made of, but for whatever reasons, his contributions have, sadly, been mostly ignored in history. It would be nearly a century before another Latino would lead Phoenix’s police authority when Ruben B. Ortega was appointed police chief on February 25, 1980. The story of Henry Garfias is a testament to the often overlooked heroes of the Old West.
