Slaughter was elected sheriff of Cochise County , Arizona in 1886 , and served two terms through 1890 . He became well known for restoring lawfulness in towns like Tombstone , Arizona after the infamous 1881 Gunfight at the OK Corral . The Tombstone jail was once known as the " Hotel de Slaughter " . He helped tame the Arizona Territory , and was known to return from searching for outlaws with only their horses and equipment . Slaughter and his second wife , Viola Slaughter ( born Cora Viola Howell ) , as well as her parents , Amazon and Mary Ann Howell , and Slaughter 's children from his first marriage , Addie and Willie , lived at the ranch for many years . The 7.6 Sonora earthquake , centered in Bavispe , Sonora , destroyed the Howell residence on the property in 1887 . The Howells managed the property until Slaughter finished his second term as sheriff . Slaughter had as many as 500 people living and working on the ranch , including many foster children . The most noteworthy of these was an Apache toddler , Apache May Slaughter , who was adopted by Slaughter after she was abandoned by her parents while Slaughter was tracking her band , who were responsible for killing white men in Arizona . Slaughter and the girl adored each other . She called Slaughter " Don Juan " . She died from burns as her dress caught fire at age 6 . She is buried in the cemetery on what is now the wildlife refuge
Sonora earthquake
1887 Sonora earthquake
San Bernardino Ranch