John Peter Gabriel – Lawman & Gunfighter
The annals of the American West are filled with figures who embodied the spirit of frontier justice, men who navigated the complexities of a rapidly evolving society with a gun on their hip and a badge on their chest. Among these figures stands John Peter Gabriel, a name synonymous with law and order in the rugged terrain of 1880s Pinal County, Arizona. A relentless pursuer of outlaws, Gabriel’s reputation was forged in the heat of conflict, culminating in the infamous Florence, Arizona gunfight of 1888, where he faced off against Joe Phy in a deadly showdown.
John Peter Gabriel’s story is one of immigration, adaptation, and a commitment to upholding the law in a land often defined by its lawlessness. His journey from a small German village to the dusty streets of Arizona is a testament to the opportunities and challenges that shaped the American West.
Born on November 17, 1838, in the village of Kruft, Germany, John Peter Gabriel was the fourth of six children born to John and Anna Schlauss Gabriel. His early life in Germany was one of relative simplicity, but the winds of change were already blowing, beckoning the Gabriel family to seek a new life across the Atlantic. In the spring of 1848, the Gabriels embarked on a journey to the United States, joining the wave of European immigrants seeking economic opportunity and a fresh start in the New World.
The family settled in Grant County, Wisconsin, where they hoped to establish a stable and prosperous life. However, tragedy struck just a year later, in July of 1849, when John Gabriel, the patriarch of the family, passed away. Anna Schlauss Gabriel found herself a widow, struggling to support her six children in a new and unfamiliar land. The burden of providing for the family proved too great, and young Pete, only 12 years old at the time, was taken in by a prominent lawyer named Ninian Whiteside.
Whiteside’s influence would prove pivotal in shaping the young Gabriel’s future. In 1849, the allure of gold gripped the nation, and Whiteside, like many others, succumbed to the fever, joining the gold rush to California. He moved his family and young John Peter Gabriel with him, exposing the boy to the vast landscapes and diverse populations of the American West. As he grew into adulthood, Gabriel worked in various professions, gaining valuable skills and experiences that would later serve him well in his career as a lawman. He eventually made his way to Arizona, drawn by the promise of opportunity in the burgeoning mining industry. He often found himself working in mines, extracting valuable resources from the earth. However, his path would soon lead him to a different kind of pursuit – upholding the law in a territory where justice was often dispensed at the barrel of a gun.
In 1877, Gabriel was running a hotel at Silver King in Pinal County, a bustling mining town teeming with prospectors, gamblers, and other colorful characters. It was here that his reputation for integrity and fairness caught the attention of Sheriff Peter R. Brady, who appointed him as a resident deputy. Gabriel quickly proved himself to be a capable and dedicated lawman, earning the respect of the community and the admiration of his colleagues. His popularity with local Democrats fueled his ambition, and in 1878, he decided to challenge his boss, Sheriff Brady, for the top law enforcement position in the county. The election was hotly contested, but Gabriel’s reputation and charisma ultimately prevailed, and he defeated Brady, taking office as sheriff in January 1879.
As sheriff, John Peter Gabriel wasted no time in establishing himself as a force to be reckoned with. He was a tireless advocate for law and order, cracking down on crime and corruption with unwavering determination. He faced down lynch mobs, tracked down stage robbers, apprehended murderers, and brought horse thieves and cattle rustlers to justice. His commitment to upholding the law, regardless of the personal risk involved, earned him the respect and admiration of the law-abiding citizens of Pinal County.
Beyond his dedication to justice, John Peter Gabriel was also renowned for his exceptional skills with a gun. In an era where firearms were a ubiquitous part of life, Gabriel’s proficiency with a pistol was legendary. One observer remarked, "Gabriel was the finest pistol shot I have ever known, equaling, I am sure, the best the West ever produced." His reputation as a skilled marksman undoubtedly served as a deterrent to potential criminals, further solidifying his authority and effectiveness as a lawman.
During his tenure as sheriff, Gabriel hired Joseph Phy, an experienced law officer, to serve as his deputy. The two men had known each other previously in a law enforcement capacity and were initially friends. However, their relationship soured in 1883 when Gabriel fired Phy for disorderly and drunken conduct. The situation escalated further when Gabriel later arrested Phy in Casa Grande, Arizona, for assault. This marked the beginning of a bitter feud that would ultimately culminate in a deadly confrontation.
Gabriel’s term as sheriff ended in 1886, and he retired from law enforcement, choosing to spend much of his time at his mine in the Dripping Springs Mountains. He would occasionally come to town to buy supplies and conduct business, but for the most part, he preferred the solitude and independence of his mining claim. That same year, Phy decided to run for sheriff, and despite their past differences, Gabriel initially supported him for the job. However, at some point, Gabriel withdrew his support, and the two former friends became bitter enemies. The reasons for Gabriel’s change of heart remain unclear, but it is likely that lingering resentment over their past conflicts played a significant role.
The simmering animosity between Gabriel and Phy finally boiled over on May 3, 1888, in Jack Keating’s Tunnel Saloon in Florence, Arizona. Both men were present in the saloon, and an argument erupted, quickly escalating to the point where Phy went out into the street, calling Gabriel out for a gunfight. The two men faced each other, their hands hovering over their holstered weapons. In a flash, both drew their guns, and a blazing gunfight ensued. The air filled with the roar of gunfire and the acrid smell of gunpowder.
After eleven shots had been fired, Gabriel was wounded in the groin and the chest, staggering to a nearby stable, where he collapsed. Miraculously, he survived the ordeal. Phy, however, was not so lucky. He was also seriously wounded and died just four hours later. Gabriel was arrested and stood trial for the killing, but he was ultimately exonerated on the grounds of self-defense. The Florence gunfight cemented Gabriel’s place in the history of the Old West, a testament to the violent realities of life on the frontier.
After the gunfight, Peter Gabriel spent the next decade prospecting in Arizona and northern Mexico, searching for his fortune in the arid landscapes. Later he returned to work his old claim – the Monitor Mine on Mineral Creek. At the age of 59, he drank poisonous water, probably laced with arsenic used in mining, and for a week, he lay alone and deathly ill in his cabin. Finally, his mining partner found him there on July 28, 1898. Gabriel died the next day and was buried near the mine.
In reporting his death, the Phoenix Herald said, "He was a bold and fearless man, a good officer… Pete Gabriel probably carried more scars at the hands of the lawless element than any other man in the southwest." The life of John Peter Gabriel was one of adventure, hardship, and unwavering dedication to the principles of law and order. He was a true embodiment of the spirit of the Old West, a figure whose name will forever be etched in the annals of Arizona history.
