This structure was the third version of a store in Ruby, Arizona. An ice room was added on the west side and the Post Office on the southeast corner. In the back were a meat market and an attached apartment, which housed the current manager and his family.
Phil Clarke and his wife were from New York City, bought the business in 1914, moved it up the hill to build this much larger one. Four years later, they sold it to the Fraser brothers.
“Clarke warned them of the Mexican bandits that were prone to terrorizing the area, telling them always to be well-armed.” Within two months, the brothers were shot to death in their store. Although two Mexican bandits were seen in the area and various suspects were brought in, no one was ever charged.
There were two more store-related murders. Some Fraser brothers heirs sold the Mercantile to Frank Pearson. Pearson was also warned of the possible danger. He brushed it off believing there wouldn’t be another attack.
“…Pearson, his wife, Myrtle, and four-year-old daughter, Margaret, moved in and reopened the store.
“By this time, the town of Ruby was virtually deserted, other than the mercantile and post office. Their closest neighbor was eight miles away. They soon sent for Myrtle’s younger sister, Elizabeth Purcell, and her husband’s sister, Irene, to keep them company and help with the store.
On the morning of August 26, 1921, Mr. and Mrs. Pearson took a horseback ride in the surrounding hills, leaving their young daughter, Margaret, in the capable hands of their sisters…
Seven Mexican cowboys strode into the store [and] immediately demanded tobacco. But as Pearson turned to get it, shots roared from behind him. …[H]e was mortally injured and fell to the floor dead.
Screaming, Irene Pearson ran to the rear of the building as one of the desperadoes pursued her… the vaquero grabbed her by the hair and dragged her across the room. When Myrtle also began to scream, running toward Irene, the bandit threw Irene aside. Having spied five gold-crowned teeth in Myrtle’s open screaming mouth, he brought his gun down hard on her head. He then shot her in the neck, pried open her mouth, and knocked out the gold crowns with the butt of his gun…
Irene survived. The bullet struck her arm, instead of its intended target. She offered a description of the thieves and murderers to police. The description was very similar to the men who had murdered the Frasers.
A manhunt ensued. A posse was formed and men were scouring the area. For the first time in Arizona’s history, an airplane was chartered to aid in the search. Unfortunately, it was all too no avail.
The police were readying to end the search, when a deputy was in a bar. He overheard a bartender trying to sell five gold teeth. The deputy swiftly interrogated him and the bartender admitted why he had them. He revealed the name of one of the bandits.
Ultimately, the two murderers were captured and put on trial. One was found guilty during his trial in only 40 minutes. After three trials for the other man, he was finally found guilty. The first was sentenced to hanging and the other to life imprisonment.
Sources:
Ruby, Arizona information sheet
Legends of America