adolph george buttner: tucson's first chief of police

ADOLPH GEORGE BUTTNER: TUCSON'S FIRST CHIEF OF POLICEAuthor(s): William F. HoganSource: Arizoniana, Vol. 5, No. 2 (SUMMER 1964), pp. 26-31Published by: Arizona Historical SocietyStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/41700710 .

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VI€WBTT3BSOr jA&SBOSML 3MEON3EBBS dedicated to those Arizonians whose deeds have made them legendary

ADOLPH GEORGE BUTTNER:

TUCSON'S FIRST CHIEF OF POLICE

by William F. Hogan

As Volatile as the frontier settlement of Tucson, was its FIRST Chief of Police. Adolph George Buttner was born in 1847 in Prussia whence he emigrated to the United States with his parents.1 On December 12, 1863, when he was sixteen, Buttner left home, and, unbeknown to his family, enlisted in Company E, 1st Regiment, Connecticut Heavy Ar- tillery. As a member of that fight- ing unit he was wounded in action at Petersburgh, Virginia.2 He received a disability discharge but chose to re-enlist, and in October, 1865, he was assigned to Company E, 14th U. S. Infantry, commanded by Captain (Bvt. Maj.) W. Harvey Brown.

After Reconstruction duty in Vir- ginia, the 14th was shipped, via Pan- ama, to the Presidio at San Fran- cisco and then to Drum Barracks, inland from Wilmington in southern California. In March of 1866 Com- panies D and E, 3rd Battalion start- ed for Arizona to relieve the Cali- fornia Volunteers "in the Territory,"3 according to John A. Spring, a soldier of Company E. Following a lengthy march, the relief force entered Tucson, the supply depot for the military posts of southern Ari- zona, on April 28.4 It was at this point that the course of Buttners life changed drastically.

If we are to believe Spring, it wTas while he was at Tucson that

[26]



ARIZONIANA 27

Buttner decided to desert. With a large quantity of rations, said Spring, he headed south into Mexico to fight with the forces of Juárez against the French. From the proceedings of his subsequent court martial the circumstances surround- ing this act are illuminated somewhat by Buttner himself. Apparent- ly Buttner, a corporal, had been ordered to take seven men in relief of a detachment on guard at the mail station at San Pedro Crossing. While at this post he received word that his father had died. Buttner stated he took this news "rather hard," since his mother now had no one but him to depend on for sup- port. But, if we are to believe his account, desertion had not yet oc- curred to him. Within a month's time he became ill and requested to be relieved. He was ordered back to Tucson for medical care.

On August 10, 1866, Buttner and two men headed for Tucson, but soon became lost and that night were set upon by hostile Indians. In the ensuing fray Buttner sustained a wound and one of his men was killed. There followed a period of hardship in which he wandered in the mountains for three days "without anything to eat" and "suffering from wounds and hunger." Buttner reflected that "we were almost ready to give ourselves to die." The ordeal was ended when he reached the border settlement of Santa Cruz. No mention of his Mexican activities appears as stated by Spring; but on March 5, 1868, his whereabouts are known definitely. On this date he was in military custody in San Fran- cisco where his court martial had convened.

Buttner had no testimony to offer other than the account of his activities following his departure from the San Pedro mail station. The Court found the accused Corporal Buttner guilty of desertion. His sentence stipulated that he be reduced to the ranks; that he forfeit all pay; and that he be confined to hard labor on Alcatraz Island, "wearing a

A. G. Buttner

twelve pound ball attached to the left leg by a chain four feet in length," for a period of two years. At the expiration of his sentence he was to be dishonorably discharged. Later, the punishment was eased somewhat when Brevet Major Gen- eral Irvin McDowell, Commander, Department of California, upon re- viewing the court martial findings, mitigated the sentence insofar as the dishonorable discharge was remitted. Eight months later a special order remitted the unexpired sentence because of good behaviour, and Buttner was released.6 Private Buttner returned to Arizona and was honorably discharged at Camp



28 ARIZONIANA

Lowell on April 10, 18707 Thus, a mysterious, unfortunate, and in- deed controversial phase of Buttner's life was brought to an end.

The 1870s witnessed a turn for the better. A widow's claim for pension witnessed by George O. Hand and Thomas Hughes, states that on September 4, 1874, at Yuma, Buttner was married to Dolores Sernia in a ceremony performed by "Juan, Catholic Minister at that place."8 On January 4, 1876 he was elected Marshal of the Village of Tucson.9 It was scarcely three weeks later that 45 resident freeholders petitioned for the disincorporation of the Village.10 By a vote of 139 to 49, however, the Village govern- ment was retained. The next year the Ninth Legislature of the Terri- tory granted a charter for the in- corporation of the City of Tucson, and the rough-and-tumble hard drinking Ike Brokaw was named Marshal by the council. But five months later the appointment was revoked and Buttner was given the position. In June, George Hand wrote in his diary that "Linn was looking for Buttner and talked about whipping him."11

On New Years Day, 1878, Marshal Buttner was re-elected. But the ef- fective execution of his duties was apparently unpopular in some quar- ters. Later that year the Arizona Weekly Star carried a story about the attempted assassinaton of Butt- ner saying, "Marshal Buttners life apparently hangs by a slender cord" and queried, "What are we to do?" The article included an account of the episode:

On Wed. night of this week while Marshal Buttner was sitting in his

own home, with a light burning and his front door open, a Mexican rode up to near the door, dismounted from his horse and fired two shots at Butt- ner, neither however doing any dam- age . . . Buttner's shooter was in another room, for which he made a lively time and returned as the man was getting on his horse. He fired twice in the dark toward the object and a ball entered the flesh of the horse."

The fleeing felon escaped. The Star also said Tucson was

harboring an army of thieves and murderers, but that Buttner was combatting the menace with suc- cess. He was praised as follows: "We owe a great deal to Marshal Buttner for his services in preserving law and order in Tucson. His life is in jeopardy every moment."12 The following year, despite his good work, Buttner was defeated in his bid for re-election by Brokaw and reduced to the status of policeman. But once again Brokaw was accused by the city fathers of being "inefficient" and "neglectful." He was asked to resign, and it was decided that "the police ... be under the immediate control of the Mayor and that the Mayor be authorized to appoint such additional special police as any riot, difficulty or trouble may render necessary to preserve good order and enforce the laws."13 During these turbulent days Buttner resigned from the force.

During 1880 Buttner was a deputy for Sheriff Charles Shibell. He witnessed the growing city in its ef- forts to build a jail; the enactment of a law prohibiting the eating, smoking and inhaling of opium; and the arrival of the Southern Pacific. The population, according to the census, was 6,700, which necessi-



ARIZONIANA 29

tated an enlarged law enforcement body. Twelve shields were ordered for the use of the Marshal and police, and salaries were raised. As the successful candidate for Marshal in January, 1881, Buttner heard Mayor Robert Carr in his inaugural ad- dress say, "Nothing will rebound more to our credit and to the city, than to be able to point with pride to our police regulations." Later in the year, in his first quarter re- port, the mayor further stressed the need for police protection when he stated:

Owing to our cosmopolitan population and the customary advent of bad characters that usually invade each and every town or city along the line of a railroad, it is necessary to have a good and efficient police force in order to preserve the peace and quiet essential to the welfare and prosper- ity of any well regulated city . . . I do not suggest any reduction of ex- penses in that quarter.14

Buttner met the increased need for law and order. And his services were rewarded by a grateful citi- zenry. In a presentation ceremony in Levins Park, Buttner was presented with a 35 carat gold badge for his "efficiency and integrity ." The inscription on the front read, "Chief of Police, Tucson, A. T.," and the reverse side bore the words, "Presented to A. G. Buttner by the citizens of Tucson, February 25, 1881."15

The Tucson force under Marshal Buttner consisted of M. Mahoney, No. 1, Thomas Newcome, No. 2, J. Johnson, No. 3, Nick Walamount, in charge of the telephone, W. Roche, No. 4, and Frank Esparza, in charge of the chain gang. Of the regular force, two men at a time were on duty both day and night.16 This was an impressive organization for

a community of less than 7,000 population. But all was not roses. Money problems apparently occu- pied a significant part of Buttner's thought. Early in February, 1882, shortly after his re-election, he reflected on a situation involving a reduction of his monthly stipend. In a letter to the Mayor and Council Buttner wrote:

Having at present the Collecting of the City Licenses which is a revenue of about $30 per month to me. And the same is about to be taken away from me and given to the assessor it leaves me considerable less to my monthly earnings, which I can not easily afford to loose [ite]

He closed with a request for a raise in salary "to at least $150 per month . . . ."17 In addition he was beset by ill health, and in March he took a leave of absence and spent two months recuperating on the seacoast of Sonora.

In August a new resolution con- trolling the police force was drawn up. This act was part of an overall movement to improve local govern- ment in anticipation of a new charter. It was resolved that a Commit- tee on Police, appointed by the Mayor and composed of two council members, was to exercise a general supervision over the police force and was empowered "to appoint such regular or special policemen as they may deem necessary to preserve the peace and good order of the city." The City Marshal was to be ex- officio Chief of Police and was to be responsible to the Committee. In this capacity the Marshal could suspend, with Committee approval, any policeman "guilty of neglect of duty."18 A significant milestone in Tucson police history had been reached.



30 ARIZONI AN A

Returns of the municipal election of January 2, 1883, reveal that Butt- ner defeated Matthew R. Johnson by a vote of 449 to 418. Mayor Charles M. Strauss delivered a lengthy message in which he pre- dicted a new charter, which was signed by Governor Frederick A. Tritle on March 7. Ordinance 47 - creating and regulating a police de- partment19 - was passed on May 8, and shortly afterward it was re- ported that "some of the police force have already procured uniforms."

The day before the department was created an ailing Buttner petitioned for and received three months' leave. On August 6th he returned to assume control of the force and was faced immediately with an economy move. The Committee on Retrenchment requested that the force be reduced to six men at a fixed salary of $90 per month and that the Marshal's pay be cut to $120. An ordinance dictated that the Mayor and Council could appoint a Chief of Police, and in 1884 Captain Matthew R. Johnson was selected.20 A disappointed Buttner appeared before the council in the new city hall and asked for the privilege of saying a few words. The Star stated, "His remarks bristled with sarcasm and seemed to come from way down in his heart" as he "thanked those of the council- men who stood by him and those who promised to do so and failed."21

Buttner planned to return to Yuma. But first, he took advantage of the opportunity to become an original member of the newly or- ganized Arizona Pioneer Historical Society.22 Appointed Captain of the Guards at Yuma Penitentiary, he re- moved there with his family. On

July 22, 1884, he made an original declaration for an invalid pension which reveals his physical makeup. As stated, he was 38 years old, six feet one-half inch in height with a light complexion, light hair and blue eyes. Apparently in improved health, Buttner was nominated and confirmed by Tucson's city council as Chief of Police on Januarv 6, 1885.

Quite an arsenal adorned the walls of the Chief s office. There were re- volvers and sling shots, knives and razors, scissors and all kinds of in- struments taken from parties that had received free lodging from the city. In March of 1885 one of the prisoners escaped from the city's adobe bastille and made a rapid run for sweet liberty to the north. Butt- ner mounted up, gave pursuit and quickly overtook the fugitive who gave himself up without a struggle. The escapee remarked that "he knew he was gone when he saw the white horse coming after him." A tribute to Buttner's efficiency. But in spite of apparent robustness he was gravely ill. His death oc- curred at 12:30 P.M. on November 7, 1885. He was 39 years of age. According to the Citizen , "The funeral was the largest ever seen in Tucson." A bit of frontier sentiment was added a few days later when Buttner's horse was raffled off at the Fashion Saloon at two dollars a chance.23

Thus ended the career of Adolph George Buttner, a career clouded by an unfortunate military record, but resurrected by long and dedicated service as a Tucson law enforcement officer. Because of such men, Tucson in the 1870s and '80s was a fit place in which to live.



ARIZONIANA 31

NOTES

1. Great Register of Pima County, Ter- ritory of Arizona, no. 86: "Buttner, A. G., 35, Prussia, Precinct 1, naturalized by vir- tue of his father's naturalization." He registered May 9, 1882.

2. Declaration for Original Invalid Pension, July 22, 1884; U. S. War Depart- ment Records, Adjutant General's Office, Washington, D. C., January 15, 1885; photostat from National Archives of the proceedings of a General Court Martial which convened at the Presidio of San Francisco, March 5, 1868.

3. "With the Regulars in Arizona in the Sixties," by John A. Spring, in the (Washington, D. C.) National Tribune , November 20, 1902.

4. See John A. Spring, "A March to Arizona from California in 1866: Or Lost in the Yuma Desert," Arizomana v. 3 ( Fall 1962).

5. Proceedings of a General Court Martial, Presidio of San Francisco, March 5, 1868.

6. Special Order 191, Department of California, October 30, 1868; Buttner file, Arizona Pioneers' Historical Society.

7. Buttner file, APHS. 8. Photostat of Widow's Claim for

Pension, February 5, 1886.

9. City of Tucson, Corporation Rec- ords, I, 135.

10. City of Tucson, Photostat of Original Petition for Disincorporation.

11. George Hand's Diary, June 15, 1877.

12. Arizona Weekly Star, September 5, 1878.

13. City of Tucson, Corporation Min- utes, August 25, 1879, VII, 145.

14. City of Tucson, Original Corpora- tion minutes, VII, 298.

15. Arizona Weekly Star, April 7, 1881. 16. City of Tucson, Corporation Rec-

ords, VIII, 27. 17. Tucson Citizen, July 14, 1882. 18. City of Tucson, Corporation Min-

utes, August 14, 1882, III, 127. 19. Ibid., 233. 20. Tucson Citizen, May 26, 1883. 21. Arizona Weekly Star, January 10,

1884. 22. Record of Society and Directors,

Hall of the Society of Arizona Pioneers, Tucson, Arizona Territory, November 8, 1885, I, 44.

23. Tucson Citizen, November 14, 1885.

Mr. Hogan of the Tucson Police Force has contributed several vignettes

of famous peace officers.

"STEADFAST" GREGG IN ARIZONA

by Sidney B. Brinckerhoff

John Irvin Gregg was a veteran war- rior when he came to Arizona in April of 1867. Three times wounded and five times breveted for bravery during the Civil War, Gregg had been given the colonelcy of the newly created 8th Cavalry Regiment during the previous summer. It was a richly deserved appointment, but

Gregg was to find his duty in Ari- zona far different from Civil War combat.

Member of a prominent Pennsyl- vania family, John Irvin was born in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, on July 19, 1826. His father, an ironmaster, pro- vided his son with a basic education. Of Irish descent, young Gregg could



adolph george buttner: tucson's first chief of police

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