Ben Daniels (pioneer)
| Benjamin Franklin Daniels | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Birth name | Benjamin Franklin Daniels |
| Born | November 4, 1852 Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | April 20, 1923 (aged 70) Tucson, Arizona |
| Buried | Evergreen Cemetery, Tucson, Arizona, U.S. |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America
|
| Service/branch |
 United States Army
|
| Years of service | 1898 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit | Rough Riders |
| Battles/wars | |
| Spouse(s) | Anna Laura Broaddus and Anna Evaline "Eva" (Stakebake) Seayrs |
| Other work | Marshal, sheriff |
Benjamin Franklin "Ben" Daniels (November 4, 1852 – April 20, 1923) was an Arizona pioneer, best known for serving as a lawman in rough Western towns and the sheriff of Pima County shortly before his death in 1923. He was also a member of the Rough Riders, superintendent of the Yuma Territorial Prison, United States Marshal for the Territory of Arizona and a miner.
Benjamin Franklin "Ben" Daniels had a rough childhood growing up in Illinois. He was born on November 4, 1852, to Aaron Daniels and Mariah Sanders, but lost his mother, two brothers, and four sisters to cholera when he was still very young. Sometime in 1863 or 1864, when he was eleven-years-old, Ben moved with his father and step-mother to Kansas. By the age of sixteen he was on his own, cowboying in Texas and working as a buffalo hunter in Kansas. By his late twenties, Ben was at Camp Carlin, Wyoming, where he was convicted of stealing army mules and sentenced to three years and six months. On November 20, 1879, Ben Daniels entered the Wyoming Territorial Penitentiary as Convict No. 88.
Ben Daniels was released from prison on August 28, 1883. He headed for Dodge City, where he cultivated the friendship of Bat Masterson and Bill Tilghman. When City Marshal Tilghman's assistant marshal, Tom Nixon, was killed by "Mysterious Dave" Mather, Tilghman recommended Ben Daniels as a suitable replacement. Ben was duly appointed on July 24, 1884 at a salary of $100 a month. Daniels' term as assistant marshal expired on April 10, 1886. He then opened the Green Front Saloon in Dodge City. Ed Julian, the owner of a restaurant next door to the Green Front, began complaining about the noise and rowdy behavior emanating from Daniels' saloon. On April 15, 1886 Daniels was ordered by town officials to close his saloon. He immediately went looking for Julian, and when he spotted him he shot him in the back. The evidence clearly pointed to the shooting being murder, but Daniels was acquitted. Following the verdict, Daniels moved on.
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