User:Allen3/duffield

Milton B. Duffield (c. 1810 – June 5, 1874) was a United States Marshal for Arizona Territory in the 1860s.

Biography
Duffield was born in Wheeling, Virginia (now in West Virginia) in 1810. Details of his education and early life have been lost. Physically large, Duffield was described as being over 6 ft, broad shouldered, muscular, of dark complexion, with black hair, and possessing fists “as big as any two fists to be seen in the course of a day.”  Upon achieving adulthood, Duffield worked for a time as a merchant in Tiffin, Ohio  He married Mary Norris on December 3, 1835. The couple had four children.

May have had more than one wife. Following his death, Eliza A. Duffield of Nevada claimed to be his widow. Minnie J. Duffield died on May 3, 1870 at the age of 27, leaving three children behind.

Left his family with his mother and moved to Texas in 1851, continued on to the California gold field shortly thereafter

Moved to Tuolumne County, California where he engaged in land acquisition, mining, and ranching.

Prospected in Tuolumne County, California for nearly a decade.

In 1854, survived an assassination attempt by three attackers.

Used "dubious means" to acquire mine and land claims.

Involved in numerous fights with immigrants as well as litigation over land titles.

Took a mulatto woman as his mistress.

Known as "Major" Duffield even though the reason for the title is unknown.

Possible trip to Central America at begining of American Civil War as part of a plan to free Panamaian negros.

May have worked on John C. Fremont's staff during the war.

At the beginning of the American Civil War, may have been involved in a mission to Central America to locate a place to move freed Negros.

Appointed U.S. Marshal for Arizona Territory on March 10, 1863.

A common story is that Duffield was appointed by Lincoln because he protected Negros during draft riots in New York. Story is clearly false as the riots occurred four months after his nomination.

Duffield did not travel with the Governor's party to Arizona Territory, instead traveling to California and entering the territory at Yuma

Arrived in Tucson by the middle of January 1864.

One of his first duties was conducting a census of the new territory.

Lived with an octoroon woman as his wife while in Tucson.

Duffield, assisted by a number of soldiers and translators, conducted a census of the new territory. Found 4,573 residents, not including Indians who were not interviewed.

Tucson, with 1,568 residents, was the territory's largest community.

Considered individuals who supported the Confederate cause to be his biggest area of concern and actively enforced the Confiscation Acts to deal with the problem.

Governor Goodwin and other territorial officials refused to prosecute Confederate sympathizers, much to the marshal's consternation.

Became involved in disputes with other territorial officials and submitted his resignation, effective in April 1866, in November 1865.

Stayed in Arizona and became a postal agent.

Was an active critic of the Federal governments and territorial officials.

Attempted to stop an 1873 lynching of four people. Was reported bound and gagged after being outnumbered by the lynch mob.

Killed by a shotgun blast to the face on the evening of June 5, 1874.

Holmes was charged with murder. First trial began on November 16, 1874 and ended with a hung jury. A second trial began on November 26, 1874 and resulted in Joseph T. Holmes being convicted of manslaughter on December 8. Judge Edmund Francis Dunne sentenced the defendant to three years.