Western Outlaw. AKA "Indian Charlie." Cruz was a half-blood who was involved with cattle rustling, stage robberies, and other illegal activities with the likes of Ike Clanton, Curly Bill Brocius, Pete Spence, Frank Stillwell, and other enemies of the Earp brothers in Tombstone, AZ. On March 18, 1882, Cruz, Pete Spence, a gambler named Freis, Frank Stillwell, and another half-blood called "Indian Charley" were gathered in an alley behind one of Tombstone's pool halls. Morgan Earp was playing pool with his back to a glass door that opened into the alley. Wyatt was sitting nearby watching the game. At 10:15, one of the assassins fired through the door and shot Morgan in the back. A second bullet landed near Wyatt's head and the assassins fled immediately into the night. Morgan died within half an hour. On March 20, 1882, Wyatt and Warren Earp, Doc Holiday, Sherman McMasters, and "Turkey Creek" Jack Johnson gunned down Frank Stillwell in Tucson. Hell bent for more revenge, the group headed back to Tombstone in search of the others. They headed out to Pete Spence's wood camp only to find that the sheriff had already arrested Spence, Freis, and Indian Charley. Theodore Judah was working at the Spence camp and told the Earp gang that Cruz was nearby chopping wood. The revenge seekers fell on Cruz and Judah reported hearing 10 or 12 shots. He later found the body riddled with bullets.
Western Outlaw. AKA "Indian Charlie." Cruz was a half-blood who was involved with cattle rustling, stage robberies, and other illegal activities with the likes of Ike Clanton, Curly Bill Brocius, Pete Spence, Frank Stillwell, and other enemies of the Earp brothers in Tombstone, AZ. On March 18, 1882, Cruz, Pete Spence, a gambler named Freis, Frank Stillwell, and another half-blood called "Indian Charley" were gathered in an alley behind one of Tombstone's pool halls. Morgan Earp was playing pool with his back to a glass door that opened into the alley. Wyatt was sitting nearby watching the game. At 10:15, one of the assassins fired through the door and shot Morgan in the back. A second bullet landed near Wyatt's head and the assassins fled immediately into the night. Morgan died within half an hour. On March 20, 1882, Wyatt and Warren Earp, Doc Holiday, Sherman McMasters, and "Turkey Creek" Jack Johnson gunned down Frank Stillwell in Tucson. Hell bent for more revenge, the group headed back to Tombstone in search of the others. They headed out to Pete Spence's wood camp only to find that the sheriff had already arrested Spence, Freis, and Indian Charley. Theodore Judah was working at the Spence camp and told the Earp gang that Cruz was nearby chopping wood. The revenge seekers fell on Cruz and Judah reported hearing 10 or 12 shots. He later found the body riddled with bullets.
Bio by: Tom Todd
Advertisement
See more Cruz memorials in:
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
