Harry J. Karns

Harry John Karns (1880 – April 29, 1956) was an Arizona politician who served a single term in the Arizona State Senate during the 2nd Arizona State Legislature. He served 3 consecutive terms as mayor of Nogales from 1927 to 1933. While in office, he oversaw the paving of the streets of Nogales, installation of a sewer system, and street lights.^[1]

Personal life

Karns was born in Jamestown, New York in 1880. He moved with his family when he was very young to the Pittsburgh area.^[1][2] In the early 1890s, Karns attended the Collegiate Institute in Towanda, Pennsylvania.^[3] In 1899, while working as a well-driller on an oil well in Wellsville, Ohio, Karns received serious burns when a boiler exploded, killing several others. He was living in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, at the time.^[4][5] He married his wife, Molly, on January 1, 1900.^[6] The couple had two daughters, Helena and Glenna.^[7]

Karns moved to Nogales, Arizona, in 1907.^[1] Karns was a charter member of the Nogales Chamber of Commerce.^[8] He was considered an authority on the history of the early Southwestern United States, particularly the mission-building era of Eusebio Kino.^[1][9] Karns and Arizona Superior Court judge W. A. O'Connor, rediscovered the ruins of Fort Buchanan in August 1930.^[10] He was the first president of the Pimería Alta Historical Society, which he formed in 1938.^[9][11] In 1954 he translated the diary of Caption Juan Mateo Manje, and published it entitled, La Luz de Tierra Incognito. Manje was the commander of the Spanish military forces in the area during Kino's time.^[9][12]

Karns died from a heart condition on April 29, 1956, in Nogales.^[1]

Political career

In July 1914 Karns announced his intent to run for the

In 1918 he ran for the Nogales School Board, was "easily defeated" in the March election, by W. F. Chenowith.[19]^[20] In 1920, he was part of a non-partisan ticket, versus a Democrat ticket, which ran for the Nogales Board of Aldermen. He was elected as an alderman.^[21] In 1926 Karns was elected to a board of freeholders, tasked with writing the charter for the city of Nogales.^[22]

In 1927 he led an opposition non-partisan ticket to the Democrats' ticket for Mayor and Aldermen of Nogales.

In 1946 Karns decided to re-enter politics and ran in the Democratic primary for the state senate seat from Santa Cruz County against incumbent W. H. Hathaway. Hathaway defeated him in the April primary.^[38][39]

Career outside politics

In 1908, he purchased one of his partner's share in an ore processing mill, giving him 85% ownership. The mill processed the ore from the La Mejia Mine.^[40] However, the mill and mine did not turn out to be a successful venture.^[41] With two partners, he began the Sonora Auto Company, and by 1909 was the sole owner and operator.^[42] This company became known as the Karn Bros, since Karns brought in his brother, W. E. Karns to help with the business. The company finally incorporated in 1913.^[43][44] In February 1922 Karns and his brother sold Karns Bros. to a group of investors. At the time it was one of the oldest and largest auto firms in southern Arizona.^[45]

He was one of the incorporators of the Nogales Fire Department in 1910,^[46] and in 1911, he was one of the men who organized the Nogales Municipal Water Works Association, serving as its first vice president.^[47] His company, Karns Bros., which he operated with his brother W. E. Karns, was granted the contract to install the new water system, pumping water from the Santa Cruz River to Nogales.^[48][49]

In 1929 an American pilot, working for the Mexican government, was forced to land behind enemy lines during the Cristero War. He was captured by rebel forces. Karns negotiated with the rebel leaders and secured his release after a few days.^[50][51]

In 1936, Karns opened the first tequila distillery in the United States in Nogales.^[52]

References