William A. Phoenix, who served as the first sheriff of Amador County, California, met a tragic end on August 12, 1855, at the age of 32. His death occurred in Tuolumne County under violent circumstances. Sheriff Phoenix was actively pursuing a group of Mexican bandits who had committed a series of heinous crimes in Amador County, including raiding, sacking, and killing six citizens in the area known as Drytown. This brutal event came to be known as the Rancheria Massacre.
During his pursu
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