User:Asiaticus/sandbox/Ainsworth - Gentry Affair

Ainsworth - Gentry Affair was a violent episode of civil disorder that occured between September 18th and 20th, 1859 in antebellum San Bernardino, California. Local histories written decades after the affair, regarded it as an episode of violence in California, provoked by the slavery issue that led to the American Civil War. The contemporary reports of this affair and of earlier events, described in the Los Angeles Star and a report on the affair in the Daily Alta California say nothing of this. They do suggest a personal quarrel and a suspicion and hatred of Mormonism, aggravated by the events of the Utah War and especially that of the Mountain Meadows Massacre that had recently occurred, all may have played a part. Other events in in San Bernardino County reported in the Los Angeles Star, show a county political dispute may also have been part of the origins of the affair. The personal quarrel at the root of the event was confused by the misidentification of the identity of Doctor Gentry, one of the two parties involved, by the authors in later histories of the event.

Background

The events of the Ainsworth - Gentry Affair were a consequence of the unraveling of the 1851 Mormon purchase of the Rancho San Bernardino and their establishment of San Bernardino and, in 1853, of the County of San Bernardino. That was brought on as a result of the 1857 Utah War, particularly by the Mountain Meadows Massacre. That incident and its consequences ruined the good reputation the Mormon colony had earned over the previous six years they had been in Southern California.

Rise of dissidents, and opponents of the Mormon leadership of the colony

• Chapter Seven: Alienation

• • Chapter Four: Divisions
  • Chapter Five: Expansion of Enterprise
  • Chapter Six: Living Together
  • Chapter Seven: Alienation
  • Chapter Eight: Exodus and After

Utah War and Mountain Meadows Massacre

• Mountain Meadows massacre, earliest news reports
• Los Angeles Star, Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, 1857 - November 7, 1857

Los Angeles Star, Number 21, 3 October 1857, Rumored Massacre on the Plains, p.2, col.3

Los Angeles Star, Number 22, 10 October 1857; Horrible Massacre of Emigrants! Over 100 Persons Murdered!, p.2, col.2-3

Los Angeles Star, Volume VII, Number 23, 17 October 1857, The Late Horrible Massacre, p.4, col.2-4

Los Angeles Star, Number 24, 24 October 1857 PDF, More Outrages on the Plains!! Two Men Wounded!! 326 Head of Cattle Run Off, &c., &c!!, p.2, col.1-3

Los Angeles Star, Number 25, 31 October 1857, The Late Outrages on the Plains - Another account, p.2, col.1-3

Los Angeles Star, Number 26, 7 November 1857, The late Outrages on the Plains - Further Particulars., p.2, col.1-3

• Daily Alta California, October 12, 27, 1857 - November 1, 1857

Daily Alta California, 12 October 1857, Horrible Massacre of Emigrants! Over 100 Persons Murdered!, p.1 col.1

Daily Alta California, Volume 9, Number 189, 27 October 1857, Later From The South

Daily Alta California, 1 November 1857; LETTER FROM ANGEL'S CAMP. [FROM AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT. p.1, col.3

Effect of the Massacre on the Public Opinion of Mormon San Bernardino

Chapter 7 Alienation

The Mormon Exodus and Land Rush in San Bernardino

• Chapter Eight: Exodus and After

Fears of Mormon and Indian Attacks on Southern California

• Petition for Military Defense for San Bernardino

Los Angeles Star, Number 30, 12 December 1857, p.2, col.3 Public Meeting

PUBLIC MEETING.

A large number of citizens assembled at the Montgomery House, on Monday last, pursuant to the following call :

Public Meeting,

To prevent the sale of arms and ammunition to Mormons!

The undersigned request that the citizens of Los Angeles county, will meet, this day, at 12 o'clock, noon, at the Montgomery House, in the city of Los Angeles, to take into consideration the necessary measures to be taken, to prevent the sale, by merchants and others, of this county, of arms and munitions of war, to persons preparing for resistance to the Federal Government.

A general attendance is requested.

E. Drown, W. W. Jenkins, J. B. Winston, M. J. Newmark, Thos. D. Mott, Gabriel Allen, James H. Lander, James P. Thompson (Sheriff of Los Angeles County,1858-59), Abel Stearns, R. Sackett, Myron Norton, J. R. Scott, John S. Griffin, J. C. Welch, Wm. McPherson, Henry Hancock, M. Flashner.

Los Angeles, December 7th, 1857. The meeting was called to order by J. R. Scott, Esq.

Upon motion, Hon. Myron Norton was elected chairman, and M. J. Newmark, secretary.

The Proclamation of Brigham Young, declaring Utah Territory under martial law, was then read by the chair, who interspersed the same with several remarks. The meeting was then addressed by J, R. Scott, Esq,, who stated among other remarks, that there had been, and is, large quantities of arms and ammunition being constantly disposed of to Mormons, by merchants of this city, and that there was considerable received on the steamer yesterday, for immediate transportation to Utah, by Mormon wagons, now waiting for the same.

On motion, Messrs. James P. Thompson (Sheriff of Los Angeles 1858-59), W. W. Twist, D. Marchessault, Dr. J. B. Winston, and Dr. J. G. Downey, were appointed by the chair, a committee to investigate the above matter.

After some remarks by Mr. G. N. Whitman, and on motion of J. R. Scott, Esq., Messrs. J. L. Brent, J. G. Nichols, Dr. M. Carter, Matthew Keller, and C. Sims, were appointed by the chair, a committee to communicate with the Executive of the State. Gen. N. S. Clark, commanding officer of Pacific Department, and with the officials of the counties of San Diego and Santa Barbara, representing the condition of affairs in this valley, and requesting such assistance as may be deemed necessary under the present.emergency.

The following petition was then presented by Mr. M. Keller, and, upon motion, was accepted, and requested to be signed by the officers of this meeting, and the officials of the county, and transmitted by the earliest opportunity to Gen, N. S Clark.

Petition.

Los Angeles, Dec. 1857.

Gen. A. S. Clark, Commanding Genetal of Pacific Department.

Sir — Recent aud reliable information, seems to establish if not the certainty, at least a reasonable probability, that it is the intention of the Mormons to oppose the United States by force of arms. As prudent men act not only upon certainties, but also upon reasonable probabilities, so we would respectfully invite your attention to the situation in which this section of the State will find itself in the event of hostilities between the Federal Government and the Mormons.

Our valley is within thirty days march of the Salt Lake city, and a body of fifteen hundred men could easily reach us in three weeks after leaving their settlements, to the westward of their principal city, and no snows ever block up this road. If the Mormon authorities have resolved upon resisting the General Government, we all know that Col. Johnson's command will, if not cut to pieces, be forced to fall back, wait for reinforcements, and delay their march until the snows are melted, until next spring.

Thence, at this time, and during the winter, the Mormons would be absolutely protected from any attack upon them, from the eastward. Now, having committed themselves to the conflict, the Mormons will endeavor to provide themselves with all the necessaries needed to sustain the terrible contest, upon which they have just entered.

They need horses, cattle, provisions and clothing, of various kinds, all of which they see in our possession, and within thirty days march, for cavalry, from the Great Salt Lake city.

If they were determined upon making the foray, they could pour fifteen hundred of their men, assisted by a large number of Indians, through the Cajon Pass, into our unprotected valley, and the first news we would receive of them, would be their presence.

We are in a great measure without arms, and we could not concentrate, for resistance, four hundred Americans, in the four Southern counties.

Before assistance could be obtained from the North, every hoof in our valley could be carried off, and be far beyond the reach of pursuit; and acts of violence might be offered to our cities.

In the above supposition, we have stated the ease of fifteen hundred men making the descent, but we believe that three hundred well appointed men, marching through friendly Indian tribes, could make a successful and sudden foray into this valley, sparsely settled and exposed as it is, and completely strip it. We have, heretofore, believed that we had, in the fact of the existence of the Mormon settlement at San Bernardino, a guarantee and pledge against any such attack, but in the last two weeks, that settlement has commenced breaking up, and pouring its inhabitants back into the Salt Lake valley, and in less than a month we anticipate that it will be completely abandoned by the Mormons.

We therefore invite your attention to these facts, and earnestly request you to take such steps as may be proper.

If we should be attacked in the manner suggested, and; the attack be successful, it would be a disgrace to the American name.

We would suggest that at least five hundred, troops, should be stationed so as to defend the Cajon Pass.

You are the highest military authority on this coast, and with you rests the responsibility of protecting us, and the reputation of our flag; and after this statement, we leave the matter in your ' hands, where the Government already has placed it. Yours, respectfully.

On motion of Mr. J. H. Lauder, the meeting adjourned till 10 o'clock next morning.

MYRON NORTON, Chairman.

M. J. Newmark, Secretary.

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• James P. Thompson, (Sheriff of Los Angeles 1858-59),
  • Vicente and Rita De la Ossa are prominent citizens in Alta California, owning Rancho Providencia (Burbank) in 1839, then Rancho Los Encinos in 1849. • In 1851, Manuela, their oldest daughter, marries James Thompson. • In 1852, Thompson obtains a 5 year lease to half of Rancho La Brea. In 1857, Thompson captures the bandit Juan Flores in Santa Susana Pass. He serves as the LA County Sheriff in 1858-59. • In 1858, Fabricio, son of the Vicente and Rita, owns land near the base of the Santa Susana Pass called La Cuesta (the slope). • In 1859, the state provided $15,000 to fix up the Santa Susana Pass Wagon Road, under the supervision of James P. Thompson. He had also been awarded the contract to use the pass for carrying mail. 1/6/2016 Chatsworth Historical Society - Chatsworth Hills Homesteaders Part 2, #26 Jim and Manuela Thompson

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Los Angeles Star, Number 32, 26 December 1857, p.2, col.3 Military Affairs

Military Affairs.

The exposed position of this district, lying on the confines of the State, and open to irruption by the Mormon forces, has attracted the attention of the commander of the Pacific Department, Gen. Clark, who has issued certain orders to the troops in this District. We are enabled to state, on authority, the following movements. Major Blake, commanding at San Diego, is ordered to take post at Martin's ranch, at the mouth of the Cajon Pass, with the staff, band, and all the mounted men of his command. Lieut; Mercer, of Fort Tejon, is also under orders, with his company, for the same place. Dr. Ten Broeck is to accompany Lieut. Mercer's mandLieut. W. T. Magruder, Regimental Quartermaster, First Dragoons, is authorized to furnish stores and transportation for the command. The united force, it is supposed, will amount to about eighty men, and are to hold themselves in readiness for a march to the Colorado.

Los Angeles Star, Number 32, 26 December 1857, p.2, col.3 Reply of Gen. Clarke- to the Petition of our Citizens.

Hon. Myron Norton has received the following communication, in reply to the petition forwarded to Geo. Clarke, agreed to at a late public meeting :— Headquarters Department of the Pacific, ) San Francisco, Cal. , Dec. 17, 1857. ]" Gentlemen — Brigadier General Clarke has received your communication of December, 1857, to which, by his direction, I have now the honor to reply. The state of affairs in Southern California, has already attracted his attention, and received his serious consideration. With the small force at his disposal, every movement must be well weighed. A few days will probably settle the question of peace or war in Utah—and should it be war, the news will be received in time to do all that may be necessary for your defence. I am, gentlemen, very respectfully, your obedient servant. W. W. MACKALL, Assistant Adjutant General. To Myron Norton, Esq., Chairman of meetiug at Los Angeles, and others.

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• Los Angeles Star, Number 35, 9 January 1858, p.2, col.3

Troops for the South.

"We have been informed on reliable authority, that Gen. Clark has determined to dispatch two companies of infantry to be stationed at San Bernardino. This is a very wise and judicious course. The attention of the authorities has long been directed to the necessity of posting a force in that vicinity, and we are very glad that Gen. Clark has at last complied with the wishes of the people, and the requirements of this section of the State. The troops may be expected by the next steamer.

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• Los Angeles Star, Number 40, 13 February 1858, p.2, col.2 Munitions of War.— Capt. Twist has returned from Sacramento, bringing with him arms and accoutrements for one huudrtd men, consisting of rifles, pistols, sabres, &c., &c.; and moreover, a six-pound brass gun — a very handsome piece. Should occasion require their service, the Southern Rifles will be well equipped for field service.

Amply Guarded.— With the military post recently established at San Bernardino, the Southern frontier is we think amply protected at the present time. There is a large force at Fort Yuma; also, at San Diego, from which place, at almost regular distances of 100 miles, the posts extend to Fort Miller. There is now a post at San Bernardino, and the force at Fort Tejon has been recently greatly augmented by the addition of the command under Major Blake. Fort Tejon is now headquarters for the First Dragoons.

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Political Turmoil in San Bernardino County 1857-1859

When the Mormon colonists of San Bernardino took the decision to return to Utah, the returning Mormon elected County officials resigned their offices, or simply abandoned them. The remaining County Supervisors named officers to replace them, on a temporary basis until new elections could be held.

In early 1857, Dr. Frank Gentry had led the twenty-six man Monte Company, with the fifty one man strong Californio company under Andres Pico in pursuit of the Flores Daniel Gang. Bethel Coopwood who led a detachment of the Monte men, together with Tomas Avila Sanchez and some of the Californios, took the lead in assaulting, under fire, up the slope of Flores Peak, the steep mountain where Flores and his men had taken refuge. They drove Flores and some of the gang off the mountain and captured the the rest. Dr. Gentry's detachment later captured Juan Flores and another of the gang as they fled on foot the next day. However Flores and his companion freed themselves that night, stole horses and escaped from Gentry's posse. Flores days later was captured in Simi Pass by a detachment of Los Angeles militiamen under James P. Thompson (soon to be Sheriff of Los Angeles County 1858-59) and U. S. Army soldiers from Fort Tejon.

After the San Bernardino Mormon exodus in late 1857, like many in El Monte, Dr. Gentry had moved to San Bernardino, acquiring real estate at bargain prices and formed a partnership, Barton & Gentry, with Dr. Barton, another El Monte associate from the South, who had been appointed the city's postmaster. Together they built an adobe building at C and 4th Streets, that housed a pharmacy, a doctors office and the post office in the town in 1858. Also in 1858, Barton was elected school superintendent for the county of San Bernardino.

A year later Dr. Frank Gentry was on the Democrat Party ticket in San Bernardino County, for Coroner (those candidates in italics above), against opposition candidate Dr. Cunningham. Dr. Cunningham was the incumbent coroner Dr. Charles Peter Cunningham, San Bernardino City Councilman in 1856, who would be listed in the 1860 census as Chas P Cunningham, a 67 year old farmer from Vermont, living with his family in the San Salvador Township of San Bernardino County.; City Councilman 1856, Coroner 1858, Physician Additionally Bethel Coopwood ran for District Attorney as an independent in opposition to the Democrat S. R. Campbell.

The reason for this change in political alignment between Coopwood and Gentry may be in part to be found in the June 18, 1859 edition of the Los Angeles Star. Dr. F. Gentry, incumbent County Clerk J. M. Greenwade and S. R. Campbell, the District Attorney candidate on this Democratic Party ticket, were named in a Grand Jury investigation of the account books of San Bernardino County and the determination of the incompetency of its Board of Supervisors including the mishandling and misappropriation of county funds. Greenwade, while serving as County Clerk, was accused of receiving an illegally drawn warrant. Gentry's company, Barton & Gentry, accused of double charging the county for oil and turpentine, furnished for the jail, one being paid with an illegal warrant. Both Gentry and Greenwade lost their races to the Independents, while Coopwood narrowly lost to Campbell by only 21 votes, shortly before the Affair occurred.

Doctor Alonzo Ainsworth, who would have the conflict with Doctor Gentry that triggered the Affair, formerly from New York, was a recent arrival in San Bernardino. His name does not appear in the lists of doctors in the county in 1857 or 1859. Interestingly neither does Dr. Barton or Dr. Gentry appear in the entry.

By 1859, some of the Mormons that had left in the Exodus had returned from Utah to rejoin those that had remained in the county in 1857, and Dr. Ainsworth had married Elisa E. Wixom the daughter of Nathan Wixom who came back to San Bernardino in 1858. Ainsworth and his wife were living in town near his wife's family and the Kinman livery stable on 3rd Street between C and D Streets in June 1860. This location was not far from Gentry & Barton's Drug Store. Both Barton & Gentry and Ainsworth were new businesses in direct competition with each other in a market that had lost two thousand of its three thousand patients in the last two years, only some being replaced by new landowners and families from El Monte and elsewhere, like the See family, and a some returning Mormons from Utah like the Wixoms. Yet the county had lost only one of its six doctors and acquired four more including Ainsworth, Barton and Gentry.

Ainsworth - Gentry Affair

Contemporary Accounts

Los Angeles Star, September 24, 1859

A contemporary source, the Los Angeles Star, reported only the persons suffering wounds in the affair of Tuesday, September 20th in its issue of Saturday, September 24, 1859:

"SAN BERNARDINO, Sept. 20th, 1859. A shooting affair came off here to-day, in which several were wounded - David Coopwood, wounded in the arm, the ball passing through to the shoulder blade; Bethel Coopwood, wounded in the leg, wrist and mouth; Frank Green of El Monte, wounded in the back; Mat Welsh, received a slight wound. None of the wounds are considered dangerous. There were from sixteen to twenty shots exchanged. All is quiet now."

A further editorial in the September 24th issue added more details saying that, "... a disagreement arises between two citizens, leading to a personal conflict, in which neither party is injured; thereupon the friends of each take sides, and the affair is made to bear the proportions of a contest, in which the existence of the entire community is at stake." It went on to say: "To keep up the excitement, aid is invoked from a distant locality, and we regret to find men in this county lending themselves to prolong the excitement, and exhibiting a willingness to imbrue their hands in the blood of their neighbors."

The editorial did not name the two persons who were the originators of the quarrel nor the reason for it but said:

"We regret to find that the bad feeling which in our last publication, we noticed as existing in the above city, has since then broken out into acts of violence and blood shed. Such animosities are to be deprecated, arising as they generally do, from some trivial and unimportant cause."

Nor did the editorial name the "distant locality" in Los Angeles County that became involved in the affair, "... exhibiting a willingness to imbrue their hands in the blood of their neighbors." However the news article on the shooting of the 20th gave an indication, naming one of the casualties wounded as "Frank Green of El Monte," a township in Los Angeles County, as one of the casualties. Frank Green would later appear in the 1860 census as a resident of El Monte.

The Star editorial finished with:

"Such conduct is deeply reprehensible, and for the honor of our country, we hope never again to hear of such an occurrence.

"On Tuesday last, a collision occurred, resulting in the wounding of three or four persons, one of whom we regret to hear, is in a dangerous condition."

"We hope the authorities of the county will act with some approach to firmness and common sense, and put an end to these disgraceful exhibitions. The people at large not only take no interest in these miserable squabbles, but look on the participants with horror and disgust; whilst a few men, by their lawless acts, are bringing disgrace upon a whole community."

"As to the cause of the outbreak, we know nothing, and care less. We wish to see violence repressed, and its instigators, abettors and participants, severely punished."

Nothing further appeared in the Los Angeles Star about who was involved in the affair or the reasons for the quarrel. It is not difficult to understand the reticence of the editor to criticize or name either party in the incident, when the populations of El Monte and San Bernardino were the primary buyers of advertisements and subscribers to his paper.

Interestingly, the the Terry - Brodrick duel, between leaders of the pro-slavery and free soil factions of the Democrat Party in California, had just occurred and Broderick died on the 16th, the day before the affair in San Bernardino began. The news of this duel, David C. Broderick's death and funeral and Terry's arrest all appeared in the Los Angeles Star a week later, with the news of the affair in San Bernardino.

Daily Alta California, 27 September 1859

The Los Angeles correspondent of the Daily Alta California visited San Bernardino soon after the event and reported what had happened:

"In my last letter I gave you an account of a rumor that was current in this place of a difficulty having taken place at San Bernardino. Your correspondent had occasion to visit that section of the country since, and on his arrival, found matters in a very disorganized state. It appears that a difficulty took place between Dr. Gentry and Dr. Ensworth [Ainsworth], the former narrowly escaping being shot dead, the ball cutting part of the flesh from his forehead. The friends of Gentry raised a cry of Mormonism, and sent for reinforcements of guns and men to the Monte, which was readily granted. When the assistance arrived, the friends of both parties prevailed on the Monte party to return, which they did after a good deal of persuasion. The second day after, a man named Frank Green and Bethel Coopwood met on the street, when they commenced firing at each other. In less than five minutes, friends, of each party came up, armed with rifles, shot guns, pistols, &c. Upwards of fifty shots were fired from houses and the open street. The Mormon party, as the friends of Gentry call them, being defeated, three of their number being badly wounded. Their names are Bethel Coopwood, David Coopwood, and a man named Walsh. It is believed one of the Coopwoods will die from the effects of his wound. On the other aide, Frank Green is the only one known to be wounded. The most intense excitement prevailed, stores all closed and business suspended. The authorities were unable to stop the proceedings. Some of the people made application, I am informed, to Lieut. Clarke, commanding a company of United States soldiery, for assistance, but of course that officer could not grant the request. It is but just to state here, that the friends of Dr. Ensworth deny that there is any such thing as Mormonism in the difficulty; the opposing party say there is. ... S."

The article of the Los Angeles correspondent of the Daily Alta California reported the names of the instigators Dr. Gentry and Dr. Ensworth [Ainsworth] that had a "difficulty" that nearly got Gentry "...shot dead, the ball cutting part of the flesh from his forehead." He noted that the "...friends of Gentry raised a cry of Mormonism, and sent for reinforcements of guns and men to the Monte." Monte was the town in Los Angeles County that had sent men to intervene, and Dr. Gentry's ability to easily summon such a force in such a short time indicated his strong connections with that town. It was the clue to his identity as a leading political figure in El Monte from the mid 1850's, who was attempting to advance still further in San Bernardino.

The Daily Alta reporter also indicated that the affair lasted for 3 days when he described the shootout at its climax on the 20th of Septiember: "The second day after, a man named Frank Green and Bethel Coopwood met on the street, when they commenced firing at each other." The Lieutenant Darius D. Clarke, commanding a company of United States soldiers, to whom the citizens applied for for assistance was the commander of Camp Prentice, an army camp located near Lytle Creek, now the site of the modern San Bernardino Valley College.

Southern Vinyard, 27 September, 1859

Benjamin F. Coopwood, brother of Bethel Coopwood, and one of the participants in the Affair wrote in a communication to the Southern Vinyard:

"It has been attempted to to make this a Morman difficulty, but no such thing can grow out of it, for it is well known that there are not twenty Mormons in this county, and those who have been Mormons and have quit the church have taken no part in the matter."

Aftermath of the Affair

In the aftermath of the Affair in the following month of October, the name of F. Gentry appears in the Los Angeles Star in a list of arrivals of guests at the Bella Union Hotel in Los Angeles. In the month following the Affair, Frank Gentry seems to have lived elsewhere than San Bernardino, often in the Bella Union Hotel according to its register published each week in the Los Angeles Star. On October 15th, he registers first as being from the Monte. Next on October 21st, from San Bernadino, and lastly from Cucamongo. This last Bella Union register has Gentry there from sometime during the week ending the 21st of October. According to the schedule of the steamship SENATOR, Gentry probably left San Pedro for San Diego then to San Francisco on that ship on or about the 23rd of October, 1859.

He is never mentioned again in California newspapers, except for in the Los Angeles Star, which were court notices of debt he owed, that date from September to December 1860.

From September of 1860 there appears in the Los Angeles Star for three months, an advertisement that features the name of F. Gentry. The notice shows that he had incurred the debt of $614.14 at 3% per month on the 21st day of September, 1859, the day following the shootout in San Bernardino. It shows that as of August 1860 he had not paid it. They also show that by September 1, 1860 he was known to be living in Antoine Township, Arkansas. The 1860 Census shows him there as of June of that year living in a house next to that of his brother and his wife having $1600 of real estate and $350 in personal property.

Later Accounts of the Affair

It would remain for later accounts and histories of San Bernardino, written over two decades after the event and the American Civil War, (the earliest in 1883), to suggest reasons for the two doctors personal quarrel and bring to light more details of their actions and those of their supporters in the Affair.

Wallace W. Elliott, History of San Bernardino County, California, 1883

The first history to mention details about the Ainsworth - Gentry Affair was History of San Bernardino County, California, written and published by Wallace W. Elliott & Co. of San Francisco in 1883. It claimed to be based on the account of "the survivors of the affair with whom we conversed." It also named Dr. Gentry as Thomas Gentry, an error that continued in future histories and other accounts.

"CIVIL WAR ON A SMALL SCALE

"A difficulty occurred in the fall of 1859, in the town of San Bernardino, that for a time assumed the proportions of a civil war on a small scale. There were two rival physicians in the place, Dr. Thomas Gentry and Dr. Ainsworth. They met one day at the stable at present occupied by Kenniston & Brazelton, and Ainsworth fired at Gentry. Gentry beat a hasty retreat and sent word to his friends at El Monte that he was “he was corralled by Mormons.” This statement is positively denied by all the survivors of the affair with whom we conversed, on either side. It was mearly a personal affair; but Gentry's friends at El Monte responded to his call, and came a hundred strong to capture the town if necessary. They were led by a rough named Frank Green. On reaching San Bernardino, and learning the true condition of affairs, the better portion of the invaders (about fifty) returned home. The rest remained bent upon doing mischief if it were possible."

"Ainsworth and his friends intrenched themselves in an old adobe house on the corner west of the South Methodist Church. Night came on and the enemy did not appear. As soon as darkness veiled their movements, the Ainsworth party, well armed with rifles and revolvers, spread through the cornfield around the house. At a late hour the Green party was observed advancing towards the house. Every man in the party of defense now lay down before the fence, with the muzzle of his gun drawing a deadly bead upon the enemy. The El Monte party formed in line of battle on the opposite side of the road, as quietly as possible. Their confusion, however, was great upon finding that their operations had been observed, and they retreated ingloriously. The pluck was taken out of them as a body, but Green, Jim Greenwade, and the Sea [See] boys, remained and finally did some damage, shooting David Coopwood in the thigh. Taney Woodward also bravely tackled the ruffian Green, the men emptying their revolvers at each other at short range. Coopwood was shot by Green on the 21st day of September, 1859."

"Lawless disorder prevailed for many days. United States troops were encamped at the time on the banks of the Santa Ana River, three miles from the town, but they never interfered, presumably because they were never called upon by the authorities."

Memoirs Of Marcus Katz

Marcus Katz, a San Bernardino merchant, who had been appointed to replace the county treasurer in 1857, and subsequently was confirmed in the office in 1858, 1859. Katz, who lived in the city until his death, wrote this of the affair in his Memoirs in the 1890's:

"..., after the Mormons had practically left the county, a new immigration set in, chiefly from Texas. Then "The ball" commenced and "the band played on." Quarrels, fights, and general disorder ensued with killing and shooting. On one occasion a pitched battle took place on the corner of 4th and C Streets between two hostile factions. These were the Coopwood and Green factions. About twenty men were engaged in the conflict. A sharp fusillade was witnessed, lasting about twenty minutes. One David Coopwood was wounded, but subsequently recovered.

"Green, the leader of his faction and a desperado, later walked through the streets, gun on his shoulder and revolver at his side, defying the officials as well as any citizen to touch him. He denounced the Coopwood faction as a set of cowards, all except that "little devil," saying which, he pointed at Taney De La Woodward. "That little devil understands the business," he said. The Coopwood brothers returned to Texas, the place from which they had come. Green also left the coun­try. It is needless to say that some of these newcomers were very excellent people, but unfortunately they were greatly in the minority."

Ingersoll's Century Annals of San Bernadino County, 1904

The first history to name the incident and claim that, Dr. Ainsworth, was anti-slavery and the other Dr. Gentry pro-slavery was Ingersoll's Century Annals of San Bernadino County, 1904. It also went on to give details from an eye-witness of and participant in the Affair. It gave details on the incidents where violence erupted between the two doctors, gives details of the attack on the house of Coopwood and the number and actions of Ainsworth's defenders and was the first to mention the use of the cannon from the 1856 Fort Benson affair by the Green faction against the house of Coopwood:

"One of the most noted instances of disregard for right or law occurred in 1859 and is known as "The Ainsworth-Gentry affair. An eye-witness and participant describes it thus:

"San Bernardino at this time had two physicians, one of whom was union in sentiment, the other a southerner. This fact, mingled with a feeling of professional rivalry and perhaps with other causes not made public, produced a rancor which finally led Dr. Gentry to attack Dr. Ainsworth with a horse whip. Dr. Ainsworth seized the whip and struck his assailant in the face. The next day, Gentry, on meeting his rival, fired his pistol at him. Ainsworth escaped the shot by dodging, and returned the fire — but no one was hurt. Gentry collected his friends and they began to make serious threats against Ainsworth. The friends of the latter determined to protect him and eight young men armed themselves, removed Ainsworth to an old adobe house the corner west of the South Methodist church and there kept guard over him for two or three days. The Gentry party sent word to El Monte that the Mormons had attacked them, and about fifty men from that settlement armed themselves and rode over to San Bernardino. On learning that the Ainsworth party were simply protecting their man, the better class of these visitors returned home. But a few of the more lawless under the leadership of a desperado — one Green, remained and paraded the streets, firing their guns, terrorizing the citizens and defying the authorities. They loaded the old cannon which had looked so formidable in the Fort Benson affair and hauled it into place, announcing their intention of burning down the house where Ainsworth was in hiding and shooting his guard. One of the guard succeeded in reaching the cannon unnoticed and spiked it with a rat-tail file. When the attacking party became too aggressive the guard prepared to fire. Word was passed to "save fire and shoot low" — and the most of the attacking mob suddenly vanished. A few shots were exchanged, however, and one of the Ainsworth party. Bethel Coopwood, was wounded in the shoulder.

"The sheriff, R. V. Herring [Valentine (Rube) J. Herring], was finally compelled to call upon the citizens generally to aid him in restoring order, and the intruders were driven out and sent home."

Dr. Franklin Gentry was definitely pro-slavery, as demonstrated by his leadership of that faction in El Monte in 1856. The veiws of Dr. Ainsworth, are unknown, but are characterized as "union in sentiment". This was at a time before the division of the country by a civil war had occured, so it may only be that he was abolitionist in sentiments. Additionally, the fact that at least two of his known defenders, the Coopwood brothers, had been in the same pro-slavery group as Gentry and Bethel later fighting for the Confederacy, makes this seem an unlikely basis of the quarrel between the two of them, particularly when contemporary accounts say the call for help from Gentry to El Monte was for aid against "Mormonism".

Events of the Ainsworth - Gentry Affair

Putting the contemporary accounts and later accounts of eyewitnesses together we find it began:

September 17

"San Bernardino at this time had two physicians, one of whom was union in sentiment, the other a southerner. This fact, mingled with a feeling of professional rivalry and perhaps with other causes not made public, produced a rancor which finally led Dr. Gentry to attack Dr. Ainsworth with a horse whip. Dr. Ainsworth seized the whip and struck his assailant in the face."

This is the origin of the violent outbreak. It occurred at least two days before the announcement of the outcome of the election on the 19th and the shootout on the 20th.

September 18

"The next day, Gentry, on meeting his rival, fired his pistol at him. Ainsworth escaped the shot by dodging, and returned the fire..."

"They met one day at the stable at present occupied by Kenniston & Brazelton, and Ainsworth fired at Gentry.

"Gentry "narrowly escaping being shot dead, the ball cutting part of the flesh from his forehead."

"Gentry beat a hasty retreat and sent word to his friends at El Monte that he was '...corralled by Mormons.' This statement is positively denied by all the survivors of the affair with whom we conversed, on either side. It was mearly a personal affair; ..."

"Gentry collected his friends and they began to make serious threats against Ainsworth. The friends of the latter determined to protect him and eight young men armed themselves, removed Ainsworth to an old adobe house the corner west of the South Methodist church and there kept guard over him for two or three days".

September 19

Election results were announced and recorded on this day, Gentry and Greenwade had lost as had Coopwood. But events escalated:

"The friends of Gentry raised a cry of Mormonism, and sent for reinforcements of guns and men to the Monte, which was readily granted. "...Gentry's friends at El Monte responded to his call, and came a hundred strong to capture the town if necessary. They were led by a rough named Frank Green. "... about fifty men from that settlement armed themselves and rode over to San Bernardino."

"When the assistance arrived, the friends of both parties prevailed on the Monte party to return, which they did after a good deal of persuasion."

"On reaching San Bernardino, and learning the true condition of affairs, the better portion of the invaders (about fifty) returned home. The rest remained bent upon doing mischeif if it were possible."

"On learning that the Ainsworth party were simply protecting their man, the better class of these visitors returned home. But a few of the more lawless under the leadership of a desperado — one Green, remained and paraded the streets, firing their guns, terrorizing the citizens and defying the authorities."

"Ainsworth and his friends intrenched themselves in an old adobe house on the corner west of the South Methodist Church." This house was that of Benjamin F. Coopwood.

"Night came on and the enemy did not appear. As soon as darkness veiled their movements, the Ainsworth party, well armed with rifles and revolvers, spread through the cornfield around the house. At a late hour the Green party was observed advancing towards the house. Every man in the party of defense now lay down before the fence, with the muzzle of his gun drawing a deadly bead upon the enemy. The El Monte party formed in line of battle on the opposite side of the road, as quietly as possible."

"They loaded the old cannon which had looked so formidable in the Fort Benson affair and hauled it into place, announcing their intention of burning down the house where Ainsworth was in hiding and shooting his guard. One of the guard succeeded in reaching the cannon unnoticed and spiked it with a rat-tail file."

"When the attacking party became too aggressive the guard prepared to fire. Word was passed to "save fire and shoot low" — and the most of the attacking mob suddenly vanished".

"Their confusion, however, was great upon finding that their operations had been observed, and they retreated ingloriously. The pluck was taken out of them as a body,..."

September 20

"... Green, Jim Greenwade, and the Sea[See] boys, remained and finally did some damage, shooting David Coopwood in the thigh. Taney Woodward also bravely tackled the ruffian Green, the men emptying their revolvers at each other at short range."

"The second day after, a man named Frank Green and Bethel Coopwood met on the street, when they commenced firing at each other. In less than five minutes, friends, of each party came up, armed with rifles, shot guns, pistols, &c. Upwards of fifty shots were fired from houses and the open street. The Mormon party, as the friends of Gentry call them, being defeated, three of their number being badly wounded. Their names are Bethel Coopwood, David Coopwood, and a man named Walsh. It is believed one of the Coopwoods will die from the effects of his wound. On the other side, Frank Green is the only one known to be wounded."

"... a pitched battle took place on the corner of 4th and C Streets between two hostile factions. .... About twenty men were engaged in the conflict. A sharp fusillade was witnessed, lasting about twenty minutes. One David Coopwood was wounded, but subsequently recovered."

Aftermath

"Green, the leader of his faction and a desperado, later walked through the streets, gun on his shoulder and revolver at his side, defying the officials as well as any citizen to touch him. He denounced the Coopwood faction as a set of cowards, all except that "little devil," saying which, he pointed at Taney De La Woodward. "That little devil understands the business," he said."

"The most intense excitement prevailed, stores all closed and business suspended. The authorities were unable to stop the proceedings. Some of the people made application, I am informed, to Lieut. Clarke, commanding a company of United States soldiery, for assistance, but of course that officer could not grant the request. It is but just to state here, that the friends of Dr. Ensworth deny that there is any such thing as Mormonism in the difficulty; the opposing party say there is."

"Lawless disorder prevailed for many days. United States troops were encamped at the time on the banks of the Santa Ana River, three miles from the town, but they never interfered, presumably because they were never called upon by the authorities."

"For days thereafter San Bernardino was a scene of lawless disorder. There were United States troops encamped on the banks of the Santa Ana river, three miles from town, but they did not interfere, probably because they were not called upon by the civil authorities. The sheriff was powerless to quell the mob, until at last he made a general call for all citizens to unite and drive out the intruders."

The participants in the Affair and their fates

The two principals in the Affair

The two principals in the Affair were both long dead by the time the first history of the affair was written in 1883. Dr. Alonso Ainsworth had remained in the city, as a doctor, and was appointed the county phsyician from 1862 to 1863 during the great smallpox epidemic that decimated the Native American population of the county, and had died in 1865.

Dr. Franklin "Frank" Gentry had left California about a month after the affair, returning to Arkansas, where he was recorded in the June 1860 census living near his brother, in Antoine, Arkansas. During the American Civil War he served in the 19th Arkansas Infantry Regiment as a 2nd Lieutenant, until he resigned in 1862, and died in 1864.

Doctor Franklin "Frank" Gentry was so forgotten in San Bernardino by 1883, that he was either misnamed Thomas Gentry by the survivors interviewed by Wallace W. Elliott, author of the 1883, History of San Bernardino County, California or by a mistake of the author himself. Elliott may not have had access to contemporary newpaper accounts in the Los Angeles Star that would have identified him correctly.

Thomas Gentry was a real person formerly a resident of El Monte, but not a doctor, nor the person of political influence that Dr. Frank Gentry was. Thomas J. Gentry had married a widow of a husband murdered by bandits at El Monte in 1855. Thomas Gentry had subsequently abandoned her and their children in 1858 leaving them in financial distress and owing property taxes on her land, and had come to San Bernardino County about that time. His wife divorced him on the basis of desertion in 1860 but claimed to be a widow in the census that year. Thomas Gentry does not appear in the 1860 Census in San Bernardino.

Of the other named participants of the Ainsworth faction:

Coopwoods older brother, a former Justice of the Peace in El Monte, Benjamin F. Coopwood, age 36, who also lived with his wife in San Bernardino had joined in aiding his younger brothers Bethel and David, using his house to shelter Ainsworth, and presumeably joined in defending it from the El Monte mob. All were recorded as still living in San Bernardino in the 1860 Census. Andrew and his wife left for Texas with his brothers in 1861 and remained there. Bethel and David Coopwood with their brother Benjamin Franklin Coopwood remained in San Bernardino after the affair, until the time of the Civil War. They all left San Bernardino for Texas. David Coopwood and his brother Benjamin Franklin Coopwood passed eastward through the warlike Apache in New Mexico Territory in 1861. They were falsely reported to have been killed in an Apache attack, both made it back to Texas.

In Texas Bethel joined the Confederate Army, serving as a captain of a Spy Company during the Confederate campaign to establish Confederate Arizona. He was part of Sibley's attempt to capture the remainder of New Mexico in 1862, he and his Spy Company helped the survivors of the army to escape capture and return to Texas. After leaving the Confederate army in 1863, he was in Mexico in business with his brother David until David was killed by troops of Juan Cortina while the two were traveling down the Rio Grande on the steamboat "Belle" in 1865. Bethel remained in Texas as a lawyer for the rest of his life.

Mat Walsh or Welch, was James Madison (Mat) Welch, formerly a non Mormon veteran of the Mormon Battalion and a resident of San Bernardino County from 1854. He was listed as "Jas Welch" in the 1860 Census that shows he lived nearby James Greenwade, who at that time was running a tavern and hotel near the Butterfield Overland Mail station at Temescal. Welch was accused and tried for horse theft along with a man named Harris in July 1861, only Welch was found guilty of petty theft and fined $250. He and his family moved away from San Bernardino in 1878, but remained in Southern California working as a teamster, and died in a wagon accident near Nuevo, modern Ramona, were he was buried in 1894.

Raymond "Taney" De La Montaque Woodward was the brother in law of Bethel Coopwood who had married his sister in 1859. He was listed as a constable in San Bernardino in the 1860 Census. He remained in San Bernardino until his death on January 30, 1898 and would have been eye witnesses to be consulted in the 1883 history of the event.

Of the three other, unnamed, "eight young men" of the Ainsworth faction:

Of the identity of the remaining members of the Ainsworth faction nothing is known with certainty except that there were three others and that they were young men. However there are several likely candidates. Coopwood had another brother in law, Raymond's brother, William DeLa Monthena Woodward, a farmer, age 20. Ainsworth had two brothers in law, Willard A. Wixom a blacksmith, age 22 and Nathan J. Wixom, a laborer, age 17. William Woodward and Willard Wixom lived until 1916 and Nathan Wixom until 1917 and would have been eye witnesses to be consulted in the 1883 or 1904 history of the event.

Of the other named participants of the Gentry faction:

Francis (Frank) Green was shot and killed in Los Angeles on December 7, 1867. His killer was said to have been the son of a man he had killed in the past. Two men A. B. McDaniel and Francis Taylor were accused of the deed. McDaniel was held to answer. Charges against Taylor were dismissed. Disposition of McDaniel case are unknown.

James Greenwade killed himself and a daughter and nearly the rest of his family with poison while he was drunk, at Cucamonga, in 1869.

The See brothers from Missouri, Joseph and John, had been with a wagon train passing down the Mormon Road to California with their sister and her family, very soon after the Mountain Meadows Massacre and saw the bodies of the newly slaughtered party. They took up land near San Bernardino when they arrived there in December 1857. Apparently motivated by what they had seen, the brothers must have joined Gentry's faction against "Mormonism" and stood by Gentry and Green to the end. However this must have made them unwelcome in the area thereafter. Soon after the Affair these two had sold their land along the Santa Ana River and leaving their sister there, moved to San Luis Obispo County becoming teamsters there by the time of the 1860 census and there they remained. See Canyon in that county bears the families name.

References

• Edward Leo Lyman, San Bernardino: The Rise and Fall of a California Community, Signature Books, Salt Lake City, 1996
  • Chapter Four: Divisions
  • Chapter Five: Expansion of Enterprise
  • Chapter Six: Living Together
  • Chapter Seven: Alienation
  • Chapter Eight: Exodus and After

• Western States Jewish History, Volume 1, Issue 1, October, 1969 MEMOIRS OF MARCUS KATZ — San Bernardino Pioneer, Edited and with an Introduction by Norton B. Stern

"In the year 1858 the Mormons received orders from their leaders to return forthwith to Salt Lake, expecting that they would have to fight the United States troops to prevent them entering the city

"All faithful members of the church left San Bernardino in hot haste, selling their property at a sacrifice. The bulk of the remaining property belonging to Lyman and Rich, was sold in a lump to William A. Conn, Tucker and Allen, at a very low figure, Yucaipa Valley included. After a short time, many of the Mormons returned to this place, frightened at the sight of Uncle Sam's brass, buttons.

"However, after the Mormons had practically left the county, a new immigration set in, chiefly from Texas. Then "The ball" commenced and "the band played on." Quarrels, fights, and general disorder ensued with killing and shooting. On one occasion a pitched battle took place on the corner of 4th and C Streets between two hostile factions,. These were the Coopwood and Green factions. About twenty men were engaged in the conflict. A sharp fusillade was witnessed, lasting about twenty minutes. One David Coopwood was wounded, but subsequently recovered.

"Green, the leader of his faction and a desperado, later walked through the streets, gun on his shoulder and revolver at his side, defying the officials as well as any citizen to touch him. He denounced the Coopwood faction as a set of cowards, all except that "little devil," saying which, he pointed at Taney De La Woodward. "That little devil understands the business," he said. The Coopwood brothers returned to Texas, the place from which they had come. Green also left the coun­try. It is needless to say that some of these newcomers were very excellent people, but unfortunately they were greatly in the minority.

"Politically, socially and morally, the place was ruled chiefly by a set of corrupt politicians, gamblers and despera­dos, with the sheriff as their main leader. The district attor­ney was the deputy villain. He openly declared he would get even with the county. He was successful in his commendable enterprise, but shortly afterwards left the county of his own free will. He changed the election returns of V. J. Herring, county clerk, in favor of James Greenwaite, who proved to be the most efficient county clerk San Bernardino ever had. He drove the Board of Supervisors, three in number, out of the courthouse at the point of a cocked pistol. The Board at a glance understood the situation and allowed no grass to grow under their feet. They rushed for the door and out onto the street.

"In the hardest fought election ever battled in this county, one faction consisted of the Piercy group. They were sharp shrewd political tricksters. The Conn faction consisted of our principal citizens, who made arrangements with the editor of the Herald, the only newspaper in town, to print the tickets for the election. But the editor during his office hours, was drunk, and in his leisure hours not sober. Since we couldn't depend on him to do the work, we got him to give a friend and myself permission to use his press. When the Piercy party found out that the press was placed in our hands, the leaders of the Piercy faction asked us to lend them the press, promising to return it in due time. I apprehended that they would not and would play a trick on us. We sent to Los Angeles and had two thousand tickets printed for the outside precincts. I realized my expectations. They kept the printing press until the evening before the election.

"We went to the editor to inform him of the situation, but found him in bed, fully drunk. Having no key, we kicked the press shop door open and found everything on the floor, topsy-turvy, in order to prevent the printing of the tickets. But in their haste, they left a handbill form in perfect order, which said, "Today is the day to vote for Charles W. Piercy." We removed the name of C. W. Piercy and put in the name of William A. Conn, then sent a messenger with the handbills to the Spanish settlement to post them over those for Piercy. The Piercy men wondered how such a gross mistake could have happened. They never found out who did the mischief.

"On the day of the election, one of the Piercy men, a des­perado, challenged any man to bet on the election. I foolishly offered to bet with him. No sooner did I say the word when he drew his pistol, but I quickly dodged and bent when he fired. I was afraid he would soil my new coat. I had no ill feeling against him, on account of his having missed his intended aim. On the contrary, from the known fact that his intentions were good, I accepted the situation cheerfully. He was held before the Grand Jury without result. Grand Juries at that time were afraid to discharge their duties.

"In 1861, another forgery was committed during a campaign for legislative honors. William A. Conn and Charles W. Piercy were again the candidates. Conn was duly elected as our representative, but the Piercy interests were managed by a fellow named Skinker, a derivation of "skunk." He belonged to the rough element. Skinker was one of the election officers at Temescal precinct and he changed the pool list two weeks after the election in favor of Piercy. This fraud placed Piercy in the Legislature. Piercy had scarcely taken his seat when he challenged a member of the Legislature to a duel. Showalter, the man challenged, accepted, and Piercy was killed at the second shot. This, to a certain extent, broke up the combine. Still, "the band played on."

---

• Josephine Coopwood
• Bethel Coopwood

• Sacramento Daily Union, Volume 21, Number 3187, 14 June 1861, p.1 col.7

"Los Angeles News.— From the Star of June 8th, we cull tbe following items:

"A gentleman who had just arrived at Los Angeles from San Bernardino, reported that an express had reached the latter place, who stated that the train for Texas, which left about the 1st of May, composed of families from Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties, had been attacked by Apache Indians, at a place called "Graham's Pass," and that a number of the party were killed, among whom were Benjamin and David Coopwood, late of El Monte, in Los Angeles county. It was further stated that the whole train was besieged, and that the escape of any was doubtful.

• "Terrible Rumor -- We are informed by a gentleman from San Bernardino, that within a day or two an express reached there and reported that the train for Texas, which left about the first of May, composed of families from this county and San Bernardino, had been attacked by Apache Indians, at a place called "Graham's Pass," and that a number of the party were killed, among whom were Benjamin and David Coopwood, late of El Monte, in this county. It was further stated that the whole train was besieged, and that the escape of any was doubtful. We earnestly pray that the report may be groundless."Los Angeles Star, vol. 11, no. 5, June 8, 1861, p.2, col.4