Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1919-07-06
ARIZONA MOURNS MAN WHO HELPED
 STATE GREATLY
Commodore Perry Was Romat ic Figure in States Pioneer
 Days.

1 correspondence Of Associated Press 1 Seligman, Ariz., July 5.-A roma. tic figure of Arizona's pioneer days has just passed in the person of Com modore Perry Owens, cattleman, sure shot, dashing Indian fighter and l fearless sheriff, who died here. With his long waving hair falling over his shoulders and his pleasing personality and his dignified car riage, Commodore Owens carved a spectacular career on Arizona's ta- bles of history between his arrival in the state in 1882 and his death.
 Owens was born in Indiana and came to Arizona via Texas and New Mexico, in 1882, to become range foreman of cattle company at Nav ajo Springs.
 In a single handed battle with three Navajo Indians who were stealing the company's cattle, Owens killed the trio. Then followed numerous clashes with the red railers, many of whom fell before his deadly rifle. In time the Indians came to believe he bore a charmed life and gave him a wide berth, since, despite his frequent battles with them, he did not re- ceive a single wound.
 In 1886, when outlaws throughout Apache county were defying the law, Owens was elected sheriff, and back ed by Judge Robert E. Mirrison, now of Prescott, he obtained indictments against 16 of the most notorious thieves and murderers.
 W,i1n thn o,,J at ing the true bills, dozen of the out laws fled the country rather than face the new sheriff. The latter tracked three of the remainder to the Blue River and there when they were resisting arrest were felled by the guns of sheriff Owens and his posee. A fourth member of the gang Finn Clanton, was trapped, captur- ed and sentenced to ten years in pris- on.
 Most Spectacular Battle.
 Perhaps Owens most spectacular battle was one fought at Holbrook, where the sheriff killed Andy Coop CT, notarious bad man, and two companions. Owens had been told that the trio had taken refuge in a house near the railroad tracks. He rode down the street to the building, walked to the door and rapped for admission, with his rifle help in his right hand at his hip. Cooper open ed the door and attempted to draw a revolver, but the sheriff fired from his hip, Cooper fel badly wounded. At the same moment another shot rang out from behind from the gun of one of Cooper's, men the bullet barely missing the sheriff's head. With his back to his second assailant Owens threw his rifle over his shoul- der and fired. The outlaw dropped. mortally hurt.
 As the sheriff retreated few steps he saw man through the win dow maneuvering for shot and again the sheriff's rifle spoke. The out law inside fell to the floor and died within a few minutes. It was Coop CT, who had been shot first when he opened the door. k, r-
 Then the third desperado made his appearance running around the corner of the house with his revolver raised to fire. but before he could pull the trigger Owens shot, and the last of the gang died in his tracks.
 Owens served but one term as sheriff of Apache county, but it was said that the end of his tenure of of- flee every outlaw in the county had been driven out, killed or arrested.
 For, short while the ex-sheriff acted as an express messenger but later he entered business on his own account and died peacefully in com mercial harness.