By Evan Sage
Henry Waring Fleury was part of the first territorial governor's party, that "outfit" as early journalists would come to call it. Yet, while most of these politicos moved on seeking fortunes in the newly discovered mines of the Prescott region and to further their political notoriety, Fleury stayed on. Originally occupied as private secretary to Governor John Goodwin, he was also elected first chaplain for the two houses of the legislature, largely because of his resources to supply the lawmakers with whiskey and his general indifference to religion
One of the more interesting events in FIeury's legacy is his battle with Richard McCormick, the second territorial governor, over the Governor's Mansion (located presently on the grounds of the Sharlot Hall Museum.) The Journal-Miner in 1864 reported that the "Pinal Ranch" was almost completed and that the property was McCormick's. However, the property had been pre-empted by Fleury almost a year before.
Who truly owned the land? McCormick had already been attacked for 'stealing' the capitol from Prescott to Tucson and was not warmly welcomed upon his return. He had interest in land bounded by Carleton, Gurley, Granite, and McCormick Streets. No one was too eager to purchase any of the lots. As McCormick was trying to promote himself, Fleury occupied the Governor's Mansion. For those he entertained there, no one went home hungry, for Fleury's culinary skills went unmatched. The dispute would seesaw back and forth through the next decade until Fleury and I.orin S. Jenks sold the land to McCormick at a sheriff's sale in 1873. Yet, the gentleman Fleury was allowed to remain in the prestigious dwelling without a bother.
In 1876, the U.S. General Land Office, through Certificate No. 77, awarded the right to Fleury to 'sell' Prescott, lot by lot, to incoming immigrants. I.ots had been sold already in the township, or village, as Prescott was once dubbed. Yet, under the new fangled laws, many of the lot sales were found to be illegal. Fleury allowed the folks to continue their livelihood by giving them their honed lots. He became a probate judge and later a justice of the peace. It was during this later occupation that his name became somewhat muddled in the affairs of one of Prescott's leading physicians: Dr. Warren E. Day. Following the death of a close friend of Day's and the absolution of the guilty party, he and Fleury went on a 'walkabout' to all the watering holes on whiskey Row. In the inebriated giddiness of the circumstances, Fleury married his live-in friend, Ella Howard to the good doctor. Unfortunately, the doctor was already married! He was brought up on charges of polygamy and spent a short time in the Yuma Territorial Prison. Upon his release, he came back to Prescott to a forgiving populace and, in turn, forgave Fleury.
Fleury's long time associate, Judge C.G.W. French, took ownership of the Governor's Mansion due to the financial misfortunes inflicted on the former. Yet, Judge French made provisions in his will that Fleury could reside there until his death. When Fleury died in September 1895, the Prescott Weekly Courier wrote, "He was a Hassayampa of Hassayampers, a pioneer of pioneers. His was one at those adventurous, still kindly, spirits whose hardihood in hewing the way has enabled others to follow and build up a great commonwealth..." He was buried in the Masonic Cemetery in a brief and simple ceremony.
Evan Sage is an archivist intern at the Sharlot Hall Museum and Preservation Chairperson with the Yavapai Cemetery Association.
Sharlot Hall Museum Photograph Call Number: (po1321p)
Reuse only by permission.
Fleury, as part of the 'outfit' which came to Prescott. This photo, in 1864, shows Fleury at the left and Richard C. McCormick at the right.
Sharlot Hall Museum Photograph Call Number: (pb026a1p41)
Reuse only by permission.
The Governor's Mansion as it appeared during Fleury's time.
Sharlot Hall Museum Photograph Call Number: (po1764p)
Reuse only by permission.
Henry Waring Fleury in the 1880's.