Four Peaks

<P class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0.7in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; TEXT-ALIGN: justify>As long as ruthless outlaws continued to run amok in the territory Arizona would never be granted statehood-and statehood was something the citizens dearly longed for.</P><P class=MsoBodyTextIndent style=MARGIN: 0in 0.7in 0pt>The governor was under pressure from his constituents to do something. He promptly issued a mandate:</P><P class=MsoBodyTextIndent style=MARGIN: 0in 0.7in 0pt><I>Clean out the last big stronghold of outlaws that were presently terrorizing the citizens of the Arizona Territory.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office /><o:p></o:p></I></P><P class=MsoBodyTextIndent style=MARGIN: 0in 0.7in 0pt>He didn't care how it got done-as long as it got done and the sooner the better.</P><P class=MsoBodyTextIndent style=MARGIN: 0in 0.7in 0pt>He assigned his top aide Mr. Henry Watts to put his directive into action. The question on everyone's mind: Was anyone truly capable of carrying out the mission? The governor's man didn't have to think twice about what agency he needed to call-the Arizona Rangers. He would also ask for assistance from all other law enforcement agencies as well. Every sheriff and town marshal would be called to assist. If they could not come they would be required to send a deputy from their department.</P><P class=MsoBodyTextIndent style=MARGIN: 0in 0.7in 0pt>Butch Kantrell the leader of a large band of outlaws was hiding in the shadow of Four Peaks. Along with his lieutenants Russ Thorpe and Two Scars he had nearly fifty men under his command. He thumbed his nose at the law and felt that his gang was unstoppable.</P><P class=MsoBodyTextIndent style=MARGIN: 0in 0.7in 0pt>Clint Wells along with his fellow rangers would do all that was necessary to bring Kantrell's reign of terror to an end. Law and order in this campaign would come at a high price-to those on both sides of the fight.</P>