It was just the kind of place where elk should be grazing instead of a place for a grave. The marker was plain and simply stated, " Oscar Shultz - Shot 1922."

Well, the area was wild and wooly in the 1800's and even into the first of the 1900's but, 1922?, I couldn’t recall the name nor why there was no other information on the tombstone. So, a call to Wink Crigler at the Little House Museum was in order. I can’t think of a better place to find out anything that deals with the history of the area. Wink is the granddaughter of Molly Butler who started the Molly Butler Lodge in Greer, Arizona. It is the longest continuous operating lodge in Arizona and has hosted many famous guests.

Anyway, back to good ol’ Oscar. It seems Mr. Shultz had the need for some money and decided the bank in Cooley (now called McNary) would be the place to get it. Unfortunately, Oscar neglected to ever put any money in the bank and his "withdrawal" consisted of the removal of other folks hard earned cash. With a not-quite-fast-enough horse, Oscar headed east into the White Mountains and toward the Blue River area that runs along the border of New Mexico and Arizona.

In hot pursuit came John Earl and Ed Coe. After days of careful tracking, they came upon Oscar Shultz in the mountains overlooking the Blue River. According to the testimony they gave at the coroner’s inquest on May 17^th, 1922, Oscar was given three chances to surrender and when his resistance resorted to gun fire, Earl killed Shultz and proceeded to bring his body in. However, he further testified, the weather was too warm and ol’ Oscar became too much of a problem to bring all the way in and thus, he was buried where I found the tombstone.

Keep in mind that Oscar wasn’t available to testify in his own behalf nor was his body available for examination as to entry points of wounds or other signs of how he exactly met his untimely demise. Now, don’t think I doubt the word of these men who tracked and killed Oscar. After all, Shultz was a criminal and had held up the bank. Also, remember that this was not the time when you could get quick medical help. So, when confronting someone who could and would easily kill you, killing them first was reasonable. As a matter of fact, even if the end of Oscar Shultz didn’t occur exactly as the testimony indicated, I don’t have a problem.

I was burglarized once and when I was in law enforcement for a number of years back in Missouri, I saw the anguish crime and criminals caused. I never got over the fact someone entered my home and took an antique shotgun my father had passed on to me. It was like a piece of my father had been taken from me. The television, video camera, and other miscellaneous stuff could be replaced, but not the shotgun and the memories it brought to mind.

Therefore, Oscar Shultz, may you rest in peace and may God forgive you. However, don’t expect me to shed any tears over your grave or expect me to have sympathy for your violent death. Maybe some of the folks that read about your end will feel differently and come and visit you with more friendly feelings.