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This was originally the promotional poster for the film but the name of the movie was changed to Power’s War. Image used with permission.
The Power Shootout took place in 1918, a time when patriotism was at a fever pitch. The United States had entered World War I in April of 1917. The Selective Service Act of 1917 resulted in 2.8 million men being drafted into military service within a two year period. Freedom of speech and other civil rights were curtailed making it illegal to speak out against the government’s war efforts. Workers were prevented from strike activity and union organizing was seen as disloyalty to the United States. The anti union rhetoric and war propaganda would allow local law enforcement and mine owners to deport hundreds of mine workers at gunpoint who were seen as union agitators. Many of these workers were Mexican. The Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) were targeted for their anti-war stance and union activities. The Jerome and Bisbee deportations in Arizona were influenced by this.
In Graham County the Power family living in the rugged Galiuro Mountains may have been a target of Graham County law enforcement officials. On the early morning of Feb. 9, 1918 four lawmen, Graham County Sheriff R.F. “Frank” McBride, under Sheriff Kane Wootan, Deputy Martin Kempton and US Deputy Marshal Frank Haynes took up positions outside of the Power cabin. They were there to arrest brothers John and Tom Power for draft evasion a misdemeanor under the law at that time. Inside the cabin were the father Jeff Power, brothers Tom and John and hired hand Tom Sisson. Shortly after sunrise, Jeff Power opened the cabin door. What happened next is a matter of conjecture and controversy. Gunfire erupted from both sides. When the firing stopped and the smoke cleared, McBride, Wootan and Kempton lay dead. Jeff Power was dying and the Power boys were injured. Deputy US Marshal Haynes had fled during the shooting
Sisson and the Power boys would flee towards Mexico becoming the target of the largest manhunt in Arizona history up until that time. The story of the Power Shootout and the aftermath has been told in at least seven different books. The controversy and conspiracy theories are still debated today. Who shot first and why? Was it murder or self defense? Did some of the lawmen have alternative motives for going up to the Power cabin? A new documentary film “Power’s War” by Director Cameron Trejo is in production. It hopes to answer many of the questions and tell the story of that fateful day. The historical consultant for the film will be speaking at the Acadia Ranch Museum in Oracle.
On Friday evening Oct. 3 at 6 p.m., Heidi Osselaer, Ph.D., will be speaking about the Power Shootout at the Acadia Ranch Museum in Oracle. Her presentation, “They was out to Kill Us: The Federal Government’s Case Against the Power Brothers”, won the Barry Goldwater Award for Best Convention Paper at the 2014 Arizona History Convention. There will be a question and answer session following the program. She will also be showing a sneak preview of Power’s War.
Heidi is a professor of history at Arizona State University. Her focus is on women in Arizona history. She has had a book published by the University of Arizona Press titled “Winning Their Place: Arizona Women in Politics”. Osselaer is also the recipient of the Sharlot Hall Award for her “valuable contributions to the understanding and awareness of Arizona and its history”. She is active with the Arizona Women’s HeritageTrail.
The Acadia Ranch Museum is located at 825 E. Mt. Lemmon Road in Oracle, Arizona.
John Hernandez lives in Oracle. He is retired and enjoys writing and traveling. He is active in the Oracle Historical Society. He covers numerous public events, researches historical features and writes business/artist profiles.
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