Commodore Perry Owens, How a Single Man Tamed His Corner of the Wild West

Commodore Perry Owens was the hero in a bloody chapter of Arizona history, helping bring law and order to Holbrook, a tiny northeastern Arizona town known to be "too tough for women and churches."

On September 4, 1887, Commodore Perry Owens rode into Holbrook to serve a warrant on Andy Blevins (also known as. Andy Cooper). Andy Blevins was a ruthless and dangerous criminal. He was wanted for murder in Texas and horse stealing in Arizona. He was known to be staying at his mother's house in Holbrook, along with the rest of the Blevins brothers. The Blevins brothers were a dangerous gang of criminals, notorious for cattle rustling, and widely known for their savage role in the bloody Pleasant Valley feud, one of the west's deadliest fueds.

On that fateful day, Owens approached the Blevins house around 4:00 p.m. and called Andy Blevins out. Andy appeared at the door, and after a brief exchange of words with Owens, Andy raised his six-shooter. Commodore Owens got off the first shot, striking Andy in the stomach and knocking him to the ground. Owens quickly jumped back from the door, loaded another cartridge, and turned to see Andy's brother, John Blevins shooting at him. John Blevins missed Owens, striking and killing his brother's horse instead. Owens fired back and hit John in the shoulder. As Owens retreated from the front porch, he fired another shot at Andy Blevins, which grazed Andy's arm.

Then, Mose Roberts, a brother-in-law, jumped out a bedroom window, six-shooter in hand, and came around the corner at Owens. Before Mose could raise his gun, Owens fired at him. The bullet passed through Mose's collarbone, shoulder, and lung, and then lodged in the spoke of a wagon wheel. Owens re-filled the magazine of his rifle and retreated about twenty feet where he waited to see who would attack next.

About ten seconds later, Sam Blevins charged out the front door with his brother's six-shooter. Owens raised his rifle and shot Sam Blevins, killing him.

In less than 60 seconds, and with only five shots, Commodore Owens killed Andy Blevins, Samuel Blevins, and Mose Roberts, and left John Blevins wounded for life. Commodore Owens was unharmed.

Shortly after ridding Holbrook of the ruthless Blevins brothers, Commodore Owens was appointed Sheriff of the newly created Navajo County. Along with his undersheriff, Frank Wattron, Owens is credited with taming the wild streets of Holbrook.