Frank C. Stillwell – Outlaw Cowboy Killer
Frank C. Stillwell, a figure etched in the annals of the American Old West, embodies the complex and often brutal realities of life on the frontier. He was a man of many facets: a suspected killer, a businessman, and an associate of the notorious Cowboy faction that roamed the Arizona Territory. His life, though relatively short, was filled with conflict, accusations, and ultimately, a violent end that cemented his place in Western lore.
Born in Iowa in 1856 to William "Henry" Stilwell and Charlotte B. "Sarah" Winfrey, Frank’s early life was shaped by the westward expansion that defined the era. The family soon relocated to the Kansas Territory, settling along the bustling Santa Fe Trail. This vital artery of commerce and migration exposed young Frank to the constant influx of people, goods, and the inherent tensions that arose from competing interests in a rapidly developing land.
As he matured, Frank and his brother, Simpson, ventured into Oklahoma Territory, specifically Anadarko, before eventually migrating to Prescott, Arizona Territory, in 1877. While both brothers sought their fortunes in the West, their paths diverged significantly. Simpson carved out a respectable career, serving as an Indian fighter, scout, Deputy U.S. Marshal, police judge, and U.S. Commissioner. Frank C. Stillwell, however, was destined for a life steeped in controversy and violence.
Prescott proved to be a crucible for Frank. He found work at Miller’s Ranch, but his volatile temper soon led to tragedy. An argument escalated, resulting in Stillwell killing another man. Though he was later acquitted on the grounds of self-defense, this incident foreshadowed a pattern of conflict that would plague him throughout his life.
Following his brother Simpson’s departure for Fort Davis, Texas, Frank C. Stillwell remained in Arizona. He tried his hand as a teamster before staking a claim and working a mine in Mojave County. In 1879, history repeated itself when another dispute, this time over claim-jumping, turned deadly. Stillwell brutally beat and killed the man with a rock. Despite being charged with murder, he once again avoided indictment due to a lack of sufficient evidence presented to the grand jury. This escape from justice further solidified his reputation as a man capable of violence and seemingly immune to its consequences.
Tombstone, Arizona Territory, beckoned as the next stage in Frank C. Stillwell’s life. This booming silver mining town, rife with opportunity and lawlessness, proved to be a perfect fit for his temperament. He aligned himself with the Clanton Gang, a loose association of ranchers and cowboys known for their cattle rustling and disregard for the law. Stillwell quickly embraced this new career, engaging in the illicit activities that defined the Cowboy faction.
Ironically, despite his association with outlaws, Stillwell was appointed as a Cochise County Deputy Sheriff by Johnny Behan in 1881. This appointment, however, did little to curb his criminal behavior. On September 8, 1881, while supposedly upholding the law, Stillwell and Pete Spence robbed the Tombstone-Bisbee stagecoach of $3,000. The brazen act led to their arrest, but they were subsequently acquitted in court. Unsatisfied with this outcome, Wyatt Earp, a prominent figure in Tombstone’s law enforcement community, rounded them up for a second trial. However, once again, they were acquitted and released, highlighting the corruption and ineffectiveness of the legal system in the turbulent territory.
In Tombstone, Frank C. Stillwell experienced a period of apparent prosperity, likely fueled by his association with the Clanton Gang and their illicit activities. He accumulated interests in several mines and diversified his holdings into various businesses, including a saloon, a wholesale liquor business, a stage line, and livery stables. This economic success, however, was built on a foundation of questionable legality and contributed to the growing tensions that would soon engulf Tombstone.
The infamous Gunfight at the O.K. Corral on October 26, 1881, drastically escalated the conflict between the Earp faction and the Cowboy faction, including Frank C. Stillwell. The Earps suspected Stillwell, along with Ike Clanton, of being involved in the assassination of Morgan Earp on March 18, 1882. Morgan, brother to Wyatt Earp, was ambushed and killed while playing billiards in a Tombstone saloon. This act of violence ignited a vendetta that would forever alter the course of Tombstone’s history.
Two days after Morgan Earp’s murder, Wyatt Earp, accompanied by his brother Warren and Doc Holliday, tracked Stillwell to the Tucson train station. There, they ambushed him, leaving his body riddled with bullets. Stillwell’s death marked a turning point in the Earp-Clanton feud, escalating it into a full-blown war.
The killing of Frank C. Stillwell triggered a legal firestorm. Arrest warrants were issued for Wyatt Earp and his associates, and murder indictments were handed down in Pima County for Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, Warren Earp, Sherman McMasters, and John Johnson. Faced with these charges, Earp initially agreed to turn himself in but ultimately fled the Arizona Territory for Colorado, effectively becoming a fugitive from justice.
Frank C. Stillwell’s life, though marred by violence and controversy, provides a glimpse into the complexities of the Old West. He was a product of his environment, a land where opportunity and lawlessness often intertwined. His story serves as a reminder of the struggles, conflicts, and moral ambiguities that defined this pivotal period in American history. His association with the Clanton gang and his suspected involvement in Morgan Earp’s murder have solidified his place in the legends of the Wild West, forever linking him to the dramatic events that unfolded in Tombstone, Arizona.