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"With Texas John Slaugher, men did what they oughter, 'cause if they didn't, they died!"And, with that opening, Tom Tryon carved his most memorable character as an actor. It's typically Disney in style, and pretty standard western story telling. However, many of the story lines are loosely based upon a real Sheriff of Southern Arizona by the same name."Texas John" Slaughter was a Civil War veteran, trail-driver, cattleman, Texas Ranger, Cochise County (Arizona) Sheriff, professional gambler, and an Arizona State Representative during his lifetime. He died at the age of 80. Slaughter was known as a quiet and reserved character. He was five feet six inches tall, with dark eyes and occasional stutter. Slaughter seemed intent on making a name for himself. After years of driving cattle in Texas, Slaughter eventually settled south of Tombstone, Arizona, and bought the 65,000 acre San Bernardino Ranch near Douglas in 1884 that stretched all the way to the Mexican border and employed 30 families. It was during this period that he was elected and served as one of the most successful sheriffs in Arizona history.Of course, many of the Disney Slaughter episodes played on this history, and emphasize Slaughter's effective methods of tracking and arresting outlaws using stealth and planning while keeping his cattle ranch running. However, Tom Tryon at six feet three inches obviously makes the role and Disney character his own. There are many liberties taken with the original history. And, that is somewhat unfortunate, because, as a character, Texas John Slaughter was one of the most colorful and unusual of the Old West period. His skill and effectiveness as sheriff made him a legend in his own right. Therefore, it is strange indeed that someone with Slaughter's amazing law enforcement techniques became entirely overshadowed by a nearby 30 second gun battle at a place called the OK Coral in a no name cow town called Tombstone.Someday someone other than Disney may contribute a real film history in honor of this American legend. But, for now at least, the Tom Tryon episodes give some glimmer of how southern Arizona was tamed by a short, but dedicated sheriff that legend has it, sometimes accepted the quiet surrender of criminals who simply did not want to tangle with a man they knew they couldn't beat.
