A Man of Action

Burt Mossman cleaned up cow operations in Arizona.

In 1897, Burt Mossman was superintendent for Arizona’s Aztec Land and Cattle Company, better-known as the Hash Knife Outfit, one of the biggest operations in the West. The ranch had failed in attempts to stop the rustling by locals—and in combatting internal corruption. Mossman didn’t waste any time. On his first day, the scrappy cowman captured three rustlers. Then he fired 52 of the 84 cowboys on the Hash Knife payroll and installed trusted cowmen as wagon bosses. Soon, he had the outfit turning a profit again. In 1901 he became the first captain of the storied Arizona Rangers.