CLIFTON JAIL

CLIFTON was born a mining camp when rich copper deposits were exposed in the rugged hills of eastern Arizona. Soon in its crooked narrow streets was all the deep untrammeled excitement of the untamed west. The frothy gayety of the frontier lay quiescent during the day only to play havoc with Clifton each night. Pay envelopes bulged fat for the miners, and there began an uninterrupted flow of money across bar and gambling tables, into bawdy dance halls, or other establishments. Mexican vaqueros, from the large cattle companies in the San Simon valley to the south, came to town to blow their collective earnings. Everyone carried a gun, just in case of trouble. And there was plenty of trouble in Clifton. The immediate need of a jail was apparent and, like other mining camps that came into existence with a flourish, the first adequate building available did temporary duty. As temporary structures go it was a failure. Escape was easy and from the inception it was an object of ridicule with an occasional drunk using the jail as a marksmanship target. Finally it even became unsafe to incarcerate a prisoner.

It was in 1878 that the urgency of a bullet proof and escape proof jail, long the hope of those desirous of law and order, reached such proportions that the Lesinsky brothers, original owners of the copper mines at Clifton, let a contract for the blasting of jail cells in the face of a cliff.

the hope of those desirous of law and order, reached such proportions that the Lesinsky brothers, original owners of the copper mines at Clifton, let a contract for the blasting of jail cells in the face of a cliff.

Such a job as this would require a miner. But the miners already were making all the money they wanted, and besides, they didn't want a jail in Clifton or anywhere near Clifton. No unemployed miner would have taken the contract for he could have secured work at the mines at higher wages than those in the contract.

The contract for blasting the cells was awarded to a Mexican by the name of Margarito Barela. Documentary records give only bare facts concerning the character of the Mexican, Margarito Barela. However, it is easy to gain an imaginative picture of him.

It appears Margarito was to some degree a wastrel, perhaps a little cracked in the head, which had served to isolate him from companionship with men. Such segregation from the miners probably accounts for Margarito's not having a job and accepting this contract, for the job under the contract could be accomplished by one man.

Upon completion of his work, and Margarito had done a most creditable job, he immediately exchanged his pay for mescal at Hovey's Dance Hall. In those days the government did not supervise the fermentation of intoxicating beverages and the mescal that Margarito purchased was most potent.

Now one must be careful to give proper observance to a finished piece of art, especially one of such magnitude as the Clifton jail, blasted in solid rock. That is why he had taken all his earnings and purchased mescal with which to launch the new jail.

Having no close friends to aid and abet him, he, Margarito Barela, would alone launch this new civic enterprise. He, Margarito Barela, was a civic minded citizen, only at present a bit hazy concerning the proper method of launching a jail. There was no prow to a jail, and how was one to christen a jail if there was no prow over which to break the bottle? In this instance, bottles. Then such external use of the intoxicant seemed indeed a waste, especially when Margarito considered the advantages derived from internal aplication. Consequently, although originally of honest, upright, intentions, Margarito decided, that he, Margarito Barela, "the world's greatest builder of escape and bullet proof jails," should, to celebrate his title and his success, drink the mescal himself.

The launching of Margarito Barela as "the world's greatest builder of fine jails," was begun modestly, for he naturally was a modest, shy person. Therefore, seated alone at one of the tables at Hovey's place, Margarito proceeded quietly to open and drink the first bottle of mescal. No one was at all suspicious that Margarito was feeling a great glow of satisfaction which grew stronger with each drink.

Inwardly Margarito smirked. So people thought him insignificant! Queer! They didn't know that he was "the world's greatest builder of jails."

Another drink and his courage and strength rose to new heights and blandly Margarito surveyed the crowds of noisy revelers at Hovey's Dance Hall. Only Margarito didn't approve the tone of their celebrating. It wasn't loud enough, or exciting enough, for one of his title. With another swig of the fiery drink Margarito clambered to the table top. He would tell these people what he, Margarito Barela desired of them.

revelers at Hovey's Dance Hall. Only Margarito didn't approve the tone of their celebrating. It wasn't loud enough, or exciting enough, for one of his title. With another swig of the fiery drink Margarito clambered to the table top. He would tell these people what he, Margarito Barela desired of them.

"Amigos," shouted Margarito in more or less maudlin tone, but no one paid any attention to him.

He would show them, and angrily Margarito pulled his six shooter and sent shot after shot through the roof of Hovey's place.

It was miraculous that, during this shooting-up celebration, no one retaliated with a shot at Margarito, but instead he was gathered in and had the honor of (Continued on page 23)

HISTORY

OF CLIFTONS FIRST JAIL BLASTED FROM UNDER THIS MOUNTAIN ABOUT 1878 WHEN CLIFTON WAS A NOTORIOUS MINING CAMP & BATTLEGROUND FOR NUMEROUS CLASHES BETWEEN THE EARLY WHITE PIONEERS AND APACHE INDIANS. THIS JAIL INCLUDED AMONG ITS INHABITANTS SOME OF THE REAL BAD MEN OF THE WEST. KILLERS, GAMBLER AND NOTORIOUS HIGHWAY MEN WERE IMPRISONED HERE WHEN CAPTURED ALIVE.

A RELICOF FRONTIER DAYS IN THE GREAT SOUTH WEST.

CANSLERS ENTRANCE TO JAIL. KEY AT SERVICE STATION.