Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-01-21
NOTED BORDER SHERIFF. .
Man Celebrated in New Mexico and
the Southwest Passes Away.

Not with his boots on" but peace
fully and surrounded by his family,
one of the most picturesque characters
of border warfare in behalf of peace.
celebrated throughout Arizona, New
Mexico and the Southwest, died in his
bed at his home in Los Angeles.
Peter Boscha was one Of those men
who survived the days OF early pio-
neers who knew no fear and whose
personality helped to make of the
great West an abiding place for peace
full citizens, beautiful homes and Won
derful prosperity. He was one Of that
advance guard of men who combine
law with freedom. and uphold the best
| traditions of both at the muZzle Of
| their siX-shooters.
| Born March g, 1899. i'll Pouse, Ger
| many, Boscha came to America as a
child and when still hardly more than
! a boy was lured to the gold fields and
took an active part in the making Of
| California a state. When the Civil
War broke out Boscha enlisted in the
End California Volunteer Cavalry and
served throughout the war. When dis
charged he moved to Arizona, at that
time the stamping ground for merciless
|
In Arizona and New Mexico he be-
came a wagon master for the conveys
of prairie schooners which carted
freight across the plains. and varied
and wonderful were his experiences in
| those desoIate regions. He finally set
tied in Florence, Ariz., and there met
and married Miss Amelia Ward, who
survives him, as Go four sons and TWO
daughters.
| Shortly after his marriage Boscha
moved to. Prescott and became a dep
uty sheriff. He served for several terms
| in this capacity and made himself
name for fearlcssness and attention to
duty. few bad men" getting away
from him once he took up their trail.
Later he was elected Sheriff Of Yava-
pal County and the county became
comparatively peaceful. He held this
office for two terms an dthen became
deputy county assessor
| During his term as Sheriff he made
many remarkable arrests and seemed
to bear a charmed life At one time,
while in the little town of Congre SIS.
there lrifted into the place from the
North a noted outlaw. wanted in
Wyoming for killing two Sher;ffs. and
who had sworn he would never be
| taken alive.
| This bad man" raised a disturbance
over e woman III Il dance hall and
there was q shooting affray. sheriff
Boscha heard of it and started for his
man. The desperate rushed for his
horse. tethered near. and with six
shooter in each hand, mounted and
started to ride away. Boscha never
I - 81,
armed with a shotgun.
| Meanwhile the horse of the outlaw
suddenly began to rear and Boschn
running UP. threw down his gun ana
grappled hand to hand with the desper-
ate man. dragged him from his horse.
Idisarmed him and locked him UP in the
jail.
| On another occasion, in Weaver.
AriZ., 4 merchant OF the town was call
cd to his door one night ard stabbed
to death and robbed of largc sum Of
gold by I. gang of outlaws. VII, escan-
ed. Sheriff Bossha took up their trail
and located two of the gang = i tough
saloon. With one deputy H. entered
the saloon and held up ten Il, :perat e
men and took from among them the
two murdorers he was after. One Of
them is atll serving n life sentence.
| It WAS such courageous feats as these
| in behalf Of the Law and order that en-
deared Sheriff l3oscha 10 the hearts OF
| the respectable element in the territory
and made him the dread of the law
breaking class who acted as though
they werc above the law.-I.os Angeles
Times.
| Flint island frorr, which vacant