Bill Harrison – Wham , Paymaster Robbery of 1889

Menu – Chicken Salad, Croissant, Fruit, Dessert & Beverage by Les.

Program – Wham Paymaster Robbery – On May 11, 1889, the crack of gunfire split the midday quiet in a remote canyon of southeastern Arizona, not far from the tiny Mormon settlement of Pima. In a daring robbery, a large band of highwaymen ambushed army paymaster Major Joseph Washington Wham and his Buffalo Soldier escort. After a bloody and hard-fought battle, the soldiers were unable to stop the bandits from stealing more than $28,000 in gold and silver coins. It didn’t take long for the military and the U.S. Marshal to identify suspects and make arrests. The sensational trial in Tucson focused negative national attention on Arizona Territory as it struggled to shed its unsavory reputation for lawlessness and violence. This presentation tells the remarkable story of an event that pitted white against black, Gentile against Mormon, Democrat against Republican, lawman against outlaw, and neighbor against neighbor. Ultimately, this unsolved crime would delay by two decades’ statehood for Arizona. Purchase dinner & program tickets by May 1. Program tickets by May 6 at 5PM.