Memorials › James Franklin "Uncle Jim" Roberts

James Franklin "Uncle Jim" Roberts

2 Aug 1859 – 8 Jan 1934

Birth2 Aug 1859
Death8 Jan 1934
CemeteryValley View Cemetery
Clarkdale , Yavapai County , Arizona , USA
Added bybill jordan on 14 Apr 2019
FaGhttps://www.findagrave.com/memorial/121270205

Bio

Jim Roberts was a man who married and raised a family with the daughter of one of the first anglo men in the Territory of Arizona, while living a life that rivals Wyatt Earp and other colorful characters of the wild west. He was an Arizona pioneer, gunfighter, and lawman, who lived a life that legends are made of. Roberts was raising horses on his ranch west of Tonto Creek, when in 1887, one of his prize stallions was stolen. It was reported that the thieves were the Grahams, of Pleasant Valley, what is now known as Young, Arizona. This is the same year a feud broke out between the Graham and Tewksbury clans, amid charges of cattle rustling and horse stealing, a feud that was to become known as The Pleasant Valley Wars, lasting 10-15 years. When Jim Roberts confronted the Grahams about his stolen stallion, they laughed at his allegations – prompting him to join the Tewksbury clan, reportedly becoming 'the most dangerous gun' in the feud. He is said to have shot and killed two of the Graham brothers and wounded three of their allies. Eventually, Roberts and other clan members were arrested and jailed in Prescott, Arizona – but later freed, because nobody would testify for either side out of fear of retaliation. Chasing the gold rush to Congress, AZ., Jim sold his squatter's rights to his ranch on the Tonto Basin. The ranch was eventually bought by famous western author Zane Grey. In 1889, he was appointed a deputy sheriff by famous Sheriff Buckey O'neill, who recognized Jim as the 'best gun in the Pleasant Valley War' and assigned him to clean up Congress. In 1892, Jim was elected Constable in the wild and crazy copper mining town of Jerome, AZ., then later elected town marshall in 1904. He also spent time as a lawman in Bisbee, Douglass and the Tombstone areas, before returning to Clarkdale (the town built for Jerome miners), where he eventually 'retired', and went to work for the United Verde Copper Company as a Special Officer, holding a Yavapai County Deputy Sheriff commission. He patrolled the streets of Clarkdale, right up to the end, when he was discovered collapsed on the street and later died of a heart attack, at the age of 74 years and 5 months There are many tales of Jim Roberts exploits. He reportedly nearly always gave the other opponent the first shot – but they never got a second! He never fit the image of the Wild West gunslinger/lawman, riding a big horse, 10 gallon hat on his head and low slung gun belt on his hip. Roberts rode a big white mule most of the time, he usually wore dress shoes, and he usually carried his gun in his pants pocket! "Uncle Jim" Roberts carried the same .45 Colt Peacemaker from the late 1800s, until the time of his death at age 78. That gun was recently loaned to the Yavapai County Sheriff's Department by Roberts grandson, along with other memorabilia, to be put on display for the YCSO 150th anniversary in 2015. While at least 7 deaths attributed to Roberts in the line of duty can be confirmed, it's almost certain there are many more. Jim never told anyone how many people he'd killed, but by most reports, when he went out after someone, he usually brought them back dead, most of the time shot in the head. One story tells of three men on the run from a card game where another man had been killed. Sheriff Roberts is said to have told his young deputy to take care of the man in the middle, while he took care of the other two – but seeing the young man's trembling hands, Sheriff Roberts said "Get out of the way sonny, I'll take them all", and he did. In January 1902, Deputy Charles "Joe" Hawkins was killed In Jerome by 2 criminals, who then fled. Deputy Roberts caught up with them in nearby Camp Verde, and returned to Jerome with their bodies slung over his mule. Incredibly, Jim's last big exploit was June 21, 1928 at the age of 70. Willard Forester and Earl Nelson, Oklahoma outlaws who were reportedly part of the Kimes-Terrill Gang, had come to the area and hatched an elaborate plan to rob the Bank of Arizona in Clarkdale. They put the bank manager and patrons in the vault & took off in their getaway car with up to $40,000. The bank manager ran out and began shooting at them. Jim Roberts was making his rounds, and the robbers shot at him as they went by. Jim carefully drew his gun out of his pocket, took aim with both hands, then shot through the back windshield, hitting driver Willard Forester in the head and killing him. Earl Nelson jumped from the crashed car, shooting at Roberts as he ran. Jim chased him down and apprehended him. James Franklin Roberts married Permelia Virginia "Jennie" Kirkland, daughter of William H. Kirkland, who was a famous Arizona pioneer and Judge. Three of Jim and Jennie's children died in Jerome at an early age, from Scarlett Fever. Their son William "Bill" Roberts went on to become a Yavapai Co., Sheriff's Deputy, and an Arizona state liquor and narcotics agent. ------------------------------------------------------------ Most historians agree that Jim Roberts is buried in this cemetery with his wife, under a simple sandstone marker with only the word "Roberts" on it. His death certificate & obituary would confirm this. However, it has been publicly noted (and questioned),that there is also a metal marker in the Jerome Valley Cemetery for 'Uncle Jim Roberts', with the correct year for his birth and death. Because they seem to be for the same man, I'm leaving the other memorial for historical purposes. You can find it here: Uncle Jim Roberts Death Certificate: http://genealogy.az.gov/azdeath/049/10490988.pdf ------------------------------------------------------------ Children: Hugh Kirkland Roberts Apr. 21 1893 AZ - Oct. 8, 1957 Los Angeles, CA James Franklin Roberts Aug. 1896 AZ - June 1902 Jerome, Yavapai, AZ - scarlet fever Nellie M. Roberts (might be Nettie) July 1899 AZ - June 1902 Jerome, Yavapai, AZ - scarlet fever Myrtle Roberts 1901 - June 1902 Jerome, Yavapai, AZ - scarlet fever Walter Roberts May 31, 1904 AZ - Jan. 1983 Maricopa Co., AZ William Henry Roberts 1907 AZ - Nov. 1976 AZ

Inscription

Marker simply states "Roberts"

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