THE OUTLAW: OVERSTREET

1877

(From an interview with Gustav Becker in September 1938, as told to his son Alvin Becker)

     In the late 1870's, the valley was overrun by the lawless elements.  "Landjumpers" belonging to this group claimed "squatter rights" and sometimes refused to sell at any price.

     John Slinkard, a brother-in-law of Ike Clanton, had taken up land now known as the Pratt Ranch in sections 5 and 8 but had sold his right to Gus Becker in 1877, who was going to homestead it.

     Soon afterwards, an outlaw, by the name of Overstreet, "claimed-jumped it" before Gus could homestead it.  One day Gus road over to the ranch, found Overstreet and told him to get off.  Overstreet pulled out his pistol.  At about the same time Gus grabbed his carbine which was slung over his saddle horn but the strap got caught on the horn and he could do nothing.  He said to Overstreet: "Alright, I guess I will have to let you have it," and he rode back to town.

    The next day Gus rode back to the ranch and caught Overstreet off guard.  He ordered him to come out of the house, and when he did, he made him get on his horse.

     They rode back to Springerville where Gus took him to the store.  As soon as they arrived, there were several other outlaws standing outside the store, who started laughing at Overstreet.  It seems that he had bragged several times that "if Gus ever came over to the ranch, he would never come back alive.

     Overstreet stayed around for a couple of more years until the Army declared martial law and arrested him.  He was killed by vigilantes at the dry hole, (Becker Lake) in 1877.

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