William Green Dickinson
Elected Sheriff Coconino County
Deputy Sheriff Yavapai County
William Green “Willy” Dickinson - also known as "Biscuit-Bill"
Birth 29 Sep 1868
Death 10 Sep 1931 (aged 62)
Burial Cottonwood Cemetery
Parents
Samuel Cotton Dickinson 1827–1907
Nancy Jane Green Dickinson 1836–1916
Siblings
Margie Ann Dickinson Back 1862–1926
Sam C Dickinson 1864–1864
Mariah May Dickinson Hawkins 1864–1889
Frank Lee Dickinson 1867–1925
Alfred "Alf" Dickinson 1870–1940
Edward Virgil Dickinson 1872–1958
Half Siblings
Charles Dickinson 1853 - 1926
Children
Carl Lee Dickinson 1896–1970
William Green Dickinson was born in Stockton, Cedar County, Missouri on Sep. 29, 1868 to Samuel Cotton Dickinson (1827-1916) & Nancy Jane Green (1836-1907). The family and others moved to Arizona's Verde Valley in 1875 by covered wagon.
1877 William G and his brother Frank Lee attended school in Middle Valley, teacher was Ewan Witts.
William and his brother, Frank Lee Dickinson were partners in a large ranching operation, the 100 Place (V Bar V Ranch)
William G Dickinson was elected Sheriff of Coconino County, Arizona in 1913.
William Dickinson was united in marriage to Miss Nellie Pattee, of Flagstaff, who was born near Janesville, Iowa.
They are the parents of one child, Carl Dickinson.
W G Dickinson was the first Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office deputy sheriff assign to Cottonwood, AZ.
William Dickinson died in Flagstaff on Sep 10, 1931, and is buried in Cottonwood Cemetery in Cottonwood, Arizona along with his parents and several other family members.
1894: Elected as a constable.
1911: Appointed as a member of the Board of Supervisors for Coconino County.
1913–1919: Served as Sheriff of Coconino County.
1915 - William Dickinson patented the holding ( V-Bar-V Heritage Site was commonly referred to as the “100 Place) which included 102.5 acres. Two years later it was purchased by two other Dickinsons and David Babbitt. In 1920, those partners sold the ranch (along with another 40 acres) to A.G. Dickinson.
1916: Reelected as Sheriff.
W.G. Dickinson investigated the gruesome murder of Fred and May Prescott, an unsolved case that highlighted his tenure
Investigated and captured the Azbill Brothers, leading to their conviction for murder.
W.G. Dickinson
Arizona, The Youngest State, 1913, pg 450
W.G. Dickinson who is now serving as sheriff of Coconino County and with his brother Frank L.
He is extensively engaged in the cattle industry near Flagstaff Arizona, was born in Missouri in 1869.
The family made their way overland to this state in 1875 and here W.G. Dickinson grew to manhood.
He is interested with his brother in a ranch, theirs being one of the oldest brands in Yavapai County.
Mr. Dickinson was united in marriage to Miss Nellie Pattee, of Flagstaff, who was born near Janesville, Iowa.
They are the parents of one child.
June 13, 1895 The St. Johns Herald
Missouri Bill Killed
Wm. J. Klostermyer, also known as ''Missouri Bill," was shot and instantly killed at Bellemont on the 29th ult., by Gus Mudersbach.
The cause of the trouble which led up to this tragical end was about some sheep. A week or so previous in driving his sheep across the range. Klostermeyer gathered about 600 sheep belong to Mudersbach. It’s alleged that Klostermeyer when asked to sort out the stray sheep refused to do so and added insult to injury. Mudersbach then resorted to legal means and came to Flagstaff where he swore out a writ of replevin before Court Commissioner Gibson.
W. G. Dickinson, in the capacity of a deputy sheriff, went to Bellemont to serve the papers upon Klostermeyer. Upon his arrival at Bellemont Mr. Dickison met Mudersbach and they proceeded to the establishment of P. W. Payne, where they found Klostermeyer and the writ was served upon him. It is agreed by all witnesses that he became very abusive toward Mudersbach .and exhibited an ugly temper.
Officer Dickinson was standing between the two principals on the platform in front of Payne's place, and anticipating trouble, keeping a close watch on Klostermeyer, when the latter edged up toward Mudersbach, who suddenly whipped out his six-shooter and fired three shots as quick as he could pull the trigger of the self-cocking weapon. The bullet whistled uncomfortably close to the officer (Dickinson) and Klostermeyer fell dead with uttering a sound. One bullet entered the mouth another grazed his forehead, while the third went through his body. The bioody tragedy was work of a moment.
Officer Dickinson at once placed Mudersbach under arrest and sent word to the sheriff and coroner. Justice Prime and Deputy Sheriffs L S Drum and W R Bell went to Bellemont, and Justice Prime at once summoned a jury and held a coroner's inquest the prisoner, was conveyed to Flagstaff and placed in the county jail.
The remains of Klostermayer were brought to Flagstaff and embalmed by undertaker Whipple. The funeral took place from the M.E. church at 10:30.
The preliminary examination of Mudersbach was held on the 30th, and he was held to await the action of the grand jury. He was admitted to bail in the sum of $4000.
April 14, 1911
W.G. Dickinson member of the Flagstaff Board of Supervisors.
March 26, 1914 The Williams News
Bill Dickinson, undersheriff, took Frank Rose to Flagstaff Tuesday.
Among the new candidates we have heard mentioned for county offices are Tom Drum, J. R Kidd, Sr., Wm. Hicklin, republicans, for sheriff. While for the same office on the democratic side we have heard mentioned Frank Fairchild, W. G. Dickinson, of Flagstaff, and James Kennedy of Williams.
It is almost a foregone conclusion that the present county office holders, with the exception of sheriff, will be candidates for reelection.
12-03-1915 The Coconino Sun
Baggage Checks on a Trunk Line
County Attorney C. B. Wilson and Sheriff W. G. Dickinson were in Gallup Tuesday. Neither of them brought home a suitcase and there was no delegation to meet them at the train. Just why they went to Gallup over the state line into wet territory neither would divulge, but it is understood they went over to see whether or not someone had not wiped out the state line with a wet sponge. The state line, as of course you all now, is a red line on the map that indicates where different kinds of morals and laws diverge. If a man stood with one foot in Arizona and one foot in New Mexico, and in that position disposed of spirituous liquor, he could be partially arrested for it, all of which positively indicates that when you are halfway up and halfway down, you may not be square or halfway round. The Santa Fe is a trunk line but beware of your baggage checks.
12-16-15 The Williams News
Appointment of Deputy Sheriff, W. G. Dickinson to F. L. Dickinson
Undersheriff Tom Eakins resigned his duties with the sheriff's office which took effect December 1st and Frank L. Dickinson was appointed Undersheriff in his place.
May 4, 1916, The Williams News
Sheriff "Bill" Dickinson accompanied by Deputy Frank Dickinson and constable Fairchild of Flagstaff, came down today to get a Mexican who had gone insane.
September 22,1916 the Coconino Sun
Official Returns On State And County Candidates
Office: Sheriff Votes
W G Dickinson, D 83
John O. Harrington, R 74
September 22,1916 the Coconino Sun
FREIGHT CAR ROBBERS CONVICTED AT PRESCOTT
Diaz, Guitcrrez and Torez, the three Mexicans who were arrested here last spring after a lively gun fight, and who were wanted for robbing cars, were convicted at Prescott Wednesday of the crime charged against them in the federal court Dominguez, who was arrested at the same time on the same charge, was acquitted.
Sheriff W. G. Dickinson, son Carl, Deputies F. L. Dickinson, Frank Fairchild, Tom Eakins and Charles Murray, who was a deputy at the time of the arrest, were in Prescott the past week attending the federal court as witnesses in the case. There was conclusive evidence that the men were the guilty parties, and their arrest brought a stop to the many freight car robberies that had been going on for six months previous. Quantities of all sorts of freight were captured, including everything from silk shirts to carpet cleaners. The gang seemed well organized and were energetic in holding up every freight train that came through during the sight time.
12-01-1916 The Coconino Sun
Sheriff Dickinson and Deputy J. C. Meyers conducted an insane person to the asylum at Phoenix Saturday.
July 27, 1917 The Coconino Sun
CONDUCTS CROOKED GAME OF POKER
The Sheriff's office gathered two exponents of the great American game Tuesday from the McCormick rooming house where they were alleged to have been conducting a game for their own benefit and to the edification of sundry individuals who were induced to go to their rooms.
At the trial had in Judge Murphy's court Wednesday afternoon the evidence went to show that Frank Herring was the real conductor of the game and that Thompson, who was arrested with him Monday, was only an innocent bystander, having been set back in this world's goods to the amount of fifteen dollars. Herring came to Flagstaff last May and on the 14th of that month married Bessie Ridel, of Texico, N. M., who at that time was working at the White House Cafe. He gave his place of residence as Oklahoma City, Okla.
Sheriff Dickinson discovered quite a lot of poker paraphernalia and other articles not listed in Hoyle for carrying on the game. They consisted of a pair of shoes with holes through the heels, some electric wires and a push button. A hole had been cut in the partition of two adjoining rooms occupied by the Herrings, nails were placed under the poker table and another set of nails in the other room. The nails were connected by fine wires running under the matting.
The supposition is that while the game was in progress, Herring would place his heels over the nail heads in the poker room and his wife in the adjoining room would look through the hole in the partition into the hand of the other players and would then send an electric shock by means. Of the push button into her husband's heels to advise what the other players held in their hands.
Judge Murphy decided that conducting a poker game was not in accord with the peace and dignity of the state and county and that "doing it electrically" did not make matters any better, so he gave the defendant a fine of $150 and a sentence of 60 days at hard labor.
Mrs. Herring was also convicted as accomplice in the game and was released on six months probation.
June 7, 1918 The Coconino Sun
Sheriff W. G. Dickinson was in Douglas and other southern Arizona towns on official business several days this week.
April 20, 1917 The Coconino Sun
NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC
Under the proclamation of the President of the United States of America, dated April 6th, 1917, it is unlawful for alien enemies of the United States to have in their possession any of the following articles:
Any firearm, weapon, or Implement of war, or component part thereof, ammunition, maxim or other silencer, bomb or explosive, or material used in the manufacture of explosives, any aircraft, or wireless apparatus, or any form of signaling device or any form of cipher code, or any paper, document or book written or printed in cipher, or in which there may be invisible writing.
Any alien enemy who fails to surrender any such articles within twenty-four hours after public notice has been, given, will be subject to summary arrest if such-articles shall be found in his possession; and the articles, will be seized and forfeited to the use of the United States.
Now, Therefor, I, W. G. Dickinson, Sheriff in and for the County of Coconino, State of Arizona hereby make the following order: All alien enemies of the United States must surrender, within twenty-four hours after this notice is 'given, all the above articles in their possession, to 'the Sheriff's Office at Flagstaff, Arizona, or to W. G. Dickinson, Sheriff or to any' legal and acting, ' deputy sheriff of this county.
All alien enemies failing to comply with this order will be immediately apprehended by me and arrested, and all such articles seized. All articles surrendered under this order will be receipted for in full and returned after the war. Dated this 20th day of April, A. P 1917. W. G. DICKINSON Sheriff, Coconino County, Arizona.
July 13, 1916 The Williams News
Sheriff W. G. Dickinson and deputy-- sheriff Frank Dickinson took the Azbill brothers to the state penitentiary Monday.
August 24, 1916 The Williams News
SHERIFF DICKINSON SEEKS REELECTION
W. G. Dickinson present incumbent of the Sheriff's office has authorized the News to announce his candidacy for reelection which the News does cheerfully and with equal cheerfulness tells News readers something of the record which Mr. Dickinson has made as a public official.
W. G. Dickinson is now serving his first term as sheriff of Coconino County. Probably no sheriff of (this county has ever made a record for efficiency equaling that of Mr. Dickinson's. His activity in securing the evidence which convicted the Azbill brothers stamps him as a man of untiring energy in fulfilling the duties of his office and also as a man possessing a mind capable of logical deduction expected only of a Sherlock Holmes. Sheriff Dickinson had very little to start with in forging the chain of evidence which convicted the Azbills. Link by link the evidence was gathered until the chain was complete. Except for this skillful handling of this case by the sheriff, these black-hearted men would now be free to commit other crimes.
The usual duties of the sheriff's office are attended to with the same faithfulness and energy which sheriff Dickinson bestows on the exceptional, and should the republicans decide to have no candidate for the sheriff's office, it will be a merited tribute to his excellence as a public official.
It is hardly probable, however, that, the republicans of Coconino County will fail to put a man on their ticket as a candidate for sheriff this presidential year. We may expect to see a complete republican aunty ticket in the field and the News will doubtless be authorized to announce the candidacy of a republican - for this office very soon.
August 24, 1916 The Williams News
Case Of Misplaced Confidence
As Mr. W. M. Hughes and family were riding on the Ash Fork Road near McLellan last Sunday, they met an auto with a flat tire. Mr. Hughes wishing to help the owner put of his trouble offered to inflate his flat tire and finally loaned him a new tube to replace a punctured tube. His offer was accepted, and the man was sent on his way with the promise that he would leave the borrowed tube at one of the Williams' garages. On his return to town Mr. Hughes inquired for his tube but found that while the man had called at one of the garages, he did not leave a tube. Sheriff Dickinson was called at Flagstaff; the automobile was found, and the owner was forced to take out the borrowed tube and deputy sheriff Bony Smith restored it to its owner. The poor skunk who betrayed the confidence which one man should safely impose in his fellow was to send his way without prosecution.
Jan 7, 2017 azdailysun.com
100 Years Ago
Sheriff (WG) Dickinson has made a clean sweep of the office force. Under the new regime we will have A. J. “Jack” Chisholm as Under Sheriff and Frank Fairchild as jailor. Frank Dickenson, former Under Sheriff, has moved to Ash Fork, where he will now make his home to look after his cattle interests there. Bob Irwin has not yet exposed his future course, though in years past he has been able to maintain a steady course to the windward in financial affairs.
June 27, 1919 The Coconino Sun
TO MAKE CLEAN UP
It is understood that the W. G. & Frank Dickinson will soon make a clean-up of some 1,800 head of cattle, including steers, old cows and yearling heifers from their range in the Apache Maid and Harris Paik country, in order to reduce their forest reserve total.
W G Dickinson owned the N Lazy E Ranch
Pioneer Stories of Arizona’s Verde Valley page 191
