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where the wild west comes alive
William Breakenridge
(December 25, 1846 - January 31, 1931)
Drawing by Richard Florence .
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William Breakenridge was born in Wisconsin, served under John Chivington during the Sand
Creek Battle killing one Indian, and roamed the west performing a number of jobs along the way.
- Helldorado by William Breakenridge
- This book has been bashed by pro-Earp people, but when I read it, I did not find anything negative about the Earps here. There is one part where Billy states he captured two accused. Wyatt Earp has claimed he arrested those two. There is no definitve information either way. A book worth reading if you want to expand your Tombstone knowledge.
He arrived in Phoenix, Arizona becoming a deputy Sheriff for about a year then moved to Tombstone Arizona. Here Billy became a deputy Sheriff under John Behan. John Behan was one of the opponents of the Earps during his reign. Billy Breakenridge seems somewhat neutral on this aspect of history.
During his tenure as Deputy Sheriff of Cochise County, he arrested John Ringo and other dangerous characters without incident.
Breakenridge's only gunfight involved tracking two suspected robbers. In the battle two were killed and three wounded. Billy was unharmed.
Later, William Breakenridge became a deputy US Marshal, a surveyor and a detective for the Southern Pacific Railroad.
William Breakenridge is buried is the Evergreen Cemetery in Tucson, Arizona.