Will “Black Jack” Christian

Will “Black Jack” Christian and his brother Bob were arrested in Guthrie, Oklahoma for killing a peace officer. With the assistance of their friends, the two were able to escape from jail and headed to New Mexico and Arizona. While in New Mexico and Arizona they increased their criminal activities from cattle rustling to bank robbing.

On August 6, 1895, the International Bank in Nogales, Arizona was robbed by Will “Black Jack” Christian and his High Fives Gang. As the gang made their escape gang member Jess Williams was shot by Frank King, a local newspaper proprietor. Tucson Sheriff Bob Leatherwood and a posse aggressively pursued Black Jack and his gang into Skeleton Canyon.  As the posse approached the canyon, Special Deputy and posse member Frank Robson was shot and killed.  Will “Black Jack” Christian and his gang were able to escape into Mexico.

The High Fives Gang returned from Mexico  in 1897 and committed several stagecoach robberies.  A posse located and ambushed the gang in a small canyon. Black Jack and his three gang members were killed.  The small canyon where the ambush took place is now locally known as Black Jack Canyon.