The post office of Gleeson, Arizona first opened in 1890 under the name of Turquoise and closed in 1894. The town of Turquoise and the hills on the Southside of the Dragoon Mountains were mined for many years by Indians for turquoise. The most popular mine in the area was the Copper Belle mine.
The 1887 Tombstone Epitaph told the story of a mysterious shooting in Turquoise. There were no fatalities although thirteen shots were fired at what was described as close range. The Mexicans working the night shift at the mill told Mr. Seaverns over and over that the mill was haunted, and that ghost made a nightly appearance. One of the men asked if he could have permission to shoot it. He received a permit and an offer of $100 for its capture.
The next night two shots were fired in quick succession, and aroused the sleeping neighbors near the mill. Eleven more shots were fired at intervals, a few seconds apart. One shot penetrated a dinner bucket letting the coffee spill out to the floor. Another wailed threw the roof, and another shot through a pair of old rubber boots hanging on a nail.
The ghost appeared. The Mexican pulled the trigger of his Winchester rifle thirteen times and bullets flew in the direction of the escaping ghost. The tracks were followed a long distance and proved to been made by a very large man. His giant strides indicated he was frightened as he ran to get out of range of the bullets. It was thought by some of the men at the mill that the ghost was a trick to frighten the Mexicans into quitting their jobs. But, after the ghosts unsuccessful encounter with the rifle, the would beghost did not care to repeat his joke.
Turquoise, Arizona, now Gleeson, is located about 30 miles east of Tombstone in Cochise County along the Ghost Town Trail.
For more information:
Debe Branning nazanaza@aol.com
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