The Hashknife Pony Express is synonymous with Holbrook’s history and residents in that community are working to ensure that people coming to the community and those who are part of that history have something to honor that legacy by way of a life size bronze statue that is to be erected at the center of town.
The Hashknife brand has a long history in Holbrook. It goes back more than a hundred years to the Aztec Land & Cattle Company, which owned millions of acres of land and thousands of head of cattle in this region. The cowboys of the Hashknife outfit came from all across the US, many running from the law.
But it was in 1954, that Roy Downing organized the Navajo County Sheriff’s Hashknife Posse with L. Ben Pearson, then sheriff of Navajo County. It was organized to meet the need for a search and rescue team for the area, and was in operation by 1955 once again bringing the Hashknife brand to life in Navajo County.
Four years later, in 1959, Downing and Ernest Hulet, Holbrook postmaster at the time, were able to obtain permission to start a Pony Express ride to carry the U.S. mail from Holbrook to the Valley.
Since that time, the posse has been sworn in each year to carry the mail on a four-day journey via horseback from Holbrook, through Payson into Scottsdale.
Today, the Hashknife organization continues to represent the history and the spirit of the Old West. In an effort to bring attention to that tradition and to provide a historic perspective to those who visit the community a statue of a rider carrying a mail bag on horseback is going to be erected in Gillespie Park at the intersection of Navajo Blvd. and Hopi Drive.
Heading up the fundraising efforts to pay for the bronze statue are residents Mildred Foutz and Ofelia Lange, both known in their community for taking on and completing projects. So far, their efforts have garnered $15,000 in donations from community members, organizations and others who are in support of the endeavor. Lange alone has contributed $1,000 from each business she owns to the cause knowing, that as the owner of five open and soon to open businesses in the area, the statue will be a tremendous draw to the community for tourism, so by donating she’s investing not only in her community but in her own businesses. As an investor in Holbrook’s future, she is hoping other businesses will step up and contribute as well.
According to Hashknife Captain Mark Reynold’s those funds will be added to the $20,000 that was previously collected for the statue, leaving roughly $45,000 left to raise. “I’ve been trying for 20 years to get a statue in Holbrook. Because a statue represents the history of Holbrook and the history of the Hashknife Pony Express. There are still family and members that live in Holbrook that still come to the dinner because their family members have been involved with the Hashknife for years and years and years,” said Reynolds.
A statue is already in place in Scottsdale that pays homage to the ride as that has been the destination for the riders since the ride began. Among the artists who bid for the project was Scott Rogers who is currently working on the project. Rogers lives in Logan, Utah, and according to his website, specializes in creating unique Old West and American themed sculptures. Examples of his work can be seen at scottrogerssculture.com.
Speaking of all the previous captains who have led the Hashknife Posse, Reynolds noted, “All those people that are no longer here. I want to keep it going for them.”
By the time of the next ride, Reynolds will have been a member of the Hashknife Posse for 44 years and served as captain for 24 of those. The 2022 ride is set for Feb. 1-4. Other generational riders that currently ride with the Hashknife Posse include Tim Prentice, son of Vern Prentice, Mark’s brother Steve Reynolds, James and Kevin Self, the sons of Scott Self, and Bill Perkins whose father, Cephas Perkins was one of the original riders.
There are several opportunities to contribute. For a $5,000 donation, a 12 inch by 12 inch brick will be placed at the base of the monument for an individual, family or business that will include as much information that will fit in the provided space. For a $1,000 donation, an 8 inch by 8 inch brick will be placed at the base of the monument for an individual, family or business that will include six-lines, with 18 characters (including spaces) per line for the name of the donor and/or a statement of choice. For a $100 donation, a 4 inch by 8 inch brick will be placed at the base of the monument with a three line maximum of 18 characters per line (including spaces).
Since this is a non-profit fundraiser, all or a portion of the donation may be a tax write-off. Donation forms are available at the Holbrook City Hall and at the Holbrook Public Library. Send donations to P.O. Box 215, Holbrook, Ariz. 86025 for a return receipt for taxes. For those not seeking a tax credit, donations will also be taken at any Wells Fargo Bank by requesting it be deposited in the Hashknife Posse Monument bank account.
For more information, contact Mildred Foutz at (928) 241-0495 or Ofelia Lange at (928) 814-2372.
