Governor Lewis Wolfley had the distinction of being the first resident of the Arizona Territory to become territorial governor. He also, probably, had the most unusual death associated with a former Arizona governor.
Lewis Wolfley was born in Philadelphia on Oct. 8, 1839. He was trained as a surveyor and civil engineer and worked for railroads in Ohio and Iowa before the outbreak of the Civil War.
Wolfley joined the 3rd Kentucky Cavalry in 1861. He became known as “Sherman’s Fighting General” before he mustered out in 1865 after the Civil War ended. After the war he became a federal revenue officer in New Orleans during reconstruction. He also became a miner in Colorado and worked for the District of Columbia before he moved to Arizona in 1882, where he made his living mining and surveying.
By 1889, residents of the Arizona Territory were demanding local rule. The Republican National Platform of 1888 stated: “…all officers, pending preparation for statehood, should be selected from bona fide residents and citizens of the Territory.” Local newspapers demanded that President Benjamin Harrison not appoint a carpetbagger.
A number of people opposed Wolfley’s application to become governor. Accusations of perjury, blackmailing and accepting bribes haunted his nomination. Finally, on April 8, 1889, his nomination had been confirmed by the Senate and he took the oath of office in Washington, D.C.
At this time, Phoenix had 6,500 residents. Phoenix was described as “…Washington Street, the principal thoroughfare of the city, is three miles in length, lined on either side for several blocks by handsome business houses…Phoenix is lighted by gas and electricity, and is supplied with street railroads and water works…three miles east of the city is the Territorial Insane Asylum, a model institution of the class. To the west of the city are the capitol grounds…No start has been made upon a building as yet…”
Wolfley must have felt he went to the wrong end of Washington Street when he arrived in Phoenix to begin his governorship. When he arrived from Washington, D.C., the territorial officers from the previous Democratic administration refused to leave office.
The holdover Democratic officials said any legislative or executive actions after the end of the statutory 60-day session of the legislature “…were null unless Congress act upon them and make them valid.” Essentially, Governor Wolfley could not govern under these circumstances. This standoff continued for more than a year into July 1890.
Meanwhile, Gen. George Crook was recommending that Geronimo and the remaining Apaches be moved to Fort Sill, Okla., from their captivity in Florida and Alabama. At the time, it was suggested that the 390 prisoners, which included 311 women and children, could safely be brought back to Indian territory. Many territorial residents feared that the Apaches would escape and return to their fortress in the Chiricahua Mountains.
Gen. Crook indicated “I…would not form a plan to move the Apaches if there was any probability of their turning like snakes upon the government…Geronimo, the only great warrior, is now a ‘heap good Injun.’ He is teaching a Sunday school class, and…has lost all hatred of the white people.” Congressional hearings were held and decisions about the disposition of the Apaches were delayed. Eventually, in 1894, Geronimo and the rest of the Apaches were moved to Fort Sill without further incident.
Governor Wolfley continued to battle with both Democrats and fellow Republicans. Wolfley felt that Mormons who were moving to Arizona were “…a most dangerous and unscrupulous factor in politics.” Even the state Republican Party soon felt that Governor Wolfley “…was a success as a meddler, (but) he was a failure as a manager.”
On Aug. 20, 1890, Lewis Wolfley submitted his resignation to President Harrison at the request of the Harrison administration. Wolfley continued his publication of The Arizona Republican which he started to support his ill-fated administration. He also returned to mining and surveying, including the survey of 414,000 acres northwest of Flagstaff.
Wolfley wintered in California in order to pursue the use of wave power to create electricity. He eventually received patent number 910,439 on Jan. 19, 1909. The purpose of the patent was “…the production of a system of piers, floats and accessory apparatus along the shore that will utilize every effective motion of the waves and associated currents, and even increase their force.”
Wolfley was a lifelong bachelor and was staying at the house of his niece in Los Angeles on Feb. 11, 1910. He was on his way to his office when he accidentally stepped into the path of a light rail car called the Venice Flyer. Newspaper reports told in gory detail that “Wolfley was thrown 10 feet to the side of the tracks. His scalp was almost torn from his head and several long gashes were made on his face and neck. He sustained a severe concussion of the brain and internal injuries.” Lewis Wolfley died the next day.
Wolfley’s body was brought back to Arizona, and was buried in Prescott.
Mike Miller. Photo courtesy of the Arizona State Library, archives and Public Records, Archives Division, Phoenix, #96-1377