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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.

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. In the early 1890s, Karns attended the Collegiate Institute in Towanda, Pennsylvania. 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. He married his wife, Molly, on January 1, 1900. The couple had two daughters, Helena and Glenna.

Karns moved to Nogales, Arizona, in 1907. Karns was a charter member of the Nogales Chamber of Commerce. He was considered an authority on the history of the early Southwestern United States, particularly the mission-building era of Eusebio Kino. Karns and Arizona Superior Court judge W. A. O'Connor, rediscovered the ruins of Fort Buchanan in August 1930. He was the first president of the Pimería Alta Historical Society, which he formed in 1938. In 1954 he translated the diary of Captain 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.

Karns died from a heart condition on April 29, 1956, in Nogales.

Political career

In July 1914 Karns announced his intent to run for the Arizona State Senate. He ran unopposed in the Democratic primary and defeated Republican A. S. Henderson in November's General election. He did not run for re-election in 1916. While in the State Senate he sponsored legislation to build the first bridge over the Santa Cruz River, which was dedicated in February 1917.

In 1918 he ran for the Nogales School Board, was "easily defeated" in the March election, by W. F. Chenowith. 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. In 1926 Karns was elected to a board of freeholders, tasked with writing the charter for the city of Nogales.

In 1927 he led an opposition non-partisan ticket to the Democrats' ticket for Mayor and Aldermen of Nogales. It was the first election after the adoption in 1926 of the city's new charter. The election saw a rematch of Karns versus W. F. Chenowith. The two had squared off in 1918 for the Nogales school board, and that time saw Chenowith defeating Karns by a large margin. This election was hotly contested, with over 95% of registered voters casting votes. Karns' ticket won by a large majority. He took office on June 1. During his first term in office, he saw the installation of a new series of ornamental lighting in the city and brokered a deal with Southern Pacific to share the costs of paving the streets in Nogales, which was to cost $1,000.000. Also during his first term, he pushed through a $100,000 bond issue to upgrade the city's water supply. He announced his intention to run for re-election to the mayorship in February 1929. He was easily re-elected by a 3-1 majority, along with his entire slate of aldermen in April. Karns announced his intent to run for re-election in 1931, and was expected to coast to a win with no opposition. However, two challengers presented themselves, former alderman H. R. Renshaw, and former state senator Andrew Bettwy. The primary election in April did not produce an outcome where one of the candidates received more than 50% of the vote, so a general election was scheduled for May 5. Bettwy had garnered the most votes in the primary with 501, while Karns came in second with 442. Those two faced off in the general election, with Karns winning by 85 votes, 673–588, getting his third consecutive term as mayor. Karns did not seek re-election in 1933.

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.

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. However, the mill and mine did not turn out to be a successful venture. With two partners, he began the Sonora Auto Company, and by 1909 was the sole owner and operator. 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. 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.

He was one of the incorporators of the Nogales Fire Department in 1910, and in 1911, he was one of the men who organized the Nogales Municipal Water Works Association, serving as its first vice president. 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.

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.

In 1936, Karns opened the first tequila distillery in the United States in Nogales.

References

1. ^ "Former Mayor Harry Karns Of Nogales Dies At 76; Funeral Will Be Held Today". Arizona Republic. April 30, 1956. p. 3. Retrieved May 20, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
2. "Karns Of Santa Cruz". The Border Vidette. March 20, 1915. p. 1. Retrieved May 20, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
3. "Untitled". Sullivan Republican. October 13, 1893. p. 3. Retrieved May 20, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
4. "Wilkinsburger Hurt". The Pittsburgh Press. September 29, 1899. p. 9. Retrieved May 20, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
5. "One Oil Worker Died". The Pittsburgh Press. September 24, 1899. p. 18. Retrieved May 20, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
6. "New Years Day Wedding Had Echoes Of 1900". Star-Gazette. February 6, 1994. p. 13. Retrieved May 20, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
7. "Local News". The Border Vidette. August 19, 1922. p. 3. Retrieved May 20, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
8. "Nogales Will Honor Memory Of Karns". Arizona Republic. June 29, 1956. p. 2. Retrieved May 20, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
9. ^ "Former Nogales Mayor Harry J. Karns Dies". Arizona Daily Star. April 30, 1956. p. 1. Retrieved May 20, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
10. "Old Fort Near Border Found". Arizona Daily Star. August 7, 1930. p. 5. Retrieved May 21, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
11. "Nogales To Form Research Society". Arizona Daily Star. November 27, 1938. p. 6. Retrieved May 21, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
12. "Diary of Father Kino's Companion Published". Arizona Daily Star. October 10, 1954. p. 19. Retrieved May 21, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
13. "For State Senator". The Border Vidette. July 18, 1914. p. 5. Retrieved May 21, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
14. "Democratic County Candidates". The Border Vidette. September 5, 1914. p. 2. Retrieved May 21, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
15. "Some Contests For Nomination At Democratic Primaries". Tucson Citizen. August 21, 1914. p. 2. Retrieved May 21, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
16. "Democrats Win". The Border Vidette. November 7, 1914. p. 2. Retrieved May 21, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
17. "Democratic Petitions Filed". The Border Vidette. August 26, 1916. p. 2. Retrieved May 21, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
18. "Gov. Campbell Here". The Border Vidette. February 17, 1917. p. 2. Retrieved May 21, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
19. "Local News". The Border Vidette. March 2, 1918. p. 3. Retrieved May 21, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
20. "Local News". The Border Vidette. April 6, 1918. p. 3. Retrieved May 21, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
21. "Canvass The Vote". The Border Vidette. May 29, 1920. p. 2. Retrieved May 21, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
22. "Charter Commission Is Named In Nogales". Arizona Daily Star. April 22, 1926. p. 2. Retrieved May 21, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
23. "Nogales Picks Its First City Officers Today". Arizona Daily Star. April 5, 1927. p. 2. Retrieved May 21, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
24. "Karns Ticket Wins Nogales City Election". The Arizona Republican. April 6, 1927. p. 1. Retrieved May 21, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
25. "Early Returns of Election Sustained". Arizona Daily Star. April 7, 1927. p. 12. Retrieved May 21, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
26. "Few Changes Expected In Personnel When Nogales Takes On Status Of City". Arizona Daily Star. May 29, 1927. p. 3. Retrieved May 21, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
27. "New Nogales Lights Turned On Tonight". The Arizona Republican. September 1, 1928. p. 11. Retrieved May 21, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
28. "Southern Pacific's Paving Plan Awaited". The Arizona Republican. March 11, 1928. p. 9. Retrieved May 21, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
29. "Paving Work Halted By Fire". Arizona Daily Star. January 4, 1929. p. 8. Retrieved May 21, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
30. "Nogales Chamber Approves Program For $100,000 Bond Issue To Prevent Danger Of Water Famine In City". The Arizona Republican. December 8, 1928. p. 13. Retrieved May 21, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
31. "Mayor Of Nogales Seeks Re-election". The Arizona Republican. February 27, 1929. p. 11. Retrieved May 21, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
32. "Karns Re-elected Nogales' Mayor By 3 To 1 Margin". The Arizona Republican. April 3, 1929. p. 1. Retrieved May 21, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
33. "Karns Files Papers On Own Nomination". Arizona Daily Star. February 12, 1931. p. 1. Retrieved May 21, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
34. "Nogales Campaign Stirring Up Border Political Clans". Arizona Daily Star. March 22, 1931. p. 1. Retrieved May 21, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
35. "Bettway, Karns Are Candidates". Arizona Daily Star. April 8, 1931. p. 1. Retrieved May 21, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
36. "Karns Defeats Bettwy With 85 Vote Majority". Arizona Daily Star. May 6, 1931. p. 1. Retrieved May 21, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
37. "Candidates Ready For Mayoralty Run". Arizona Daily Star. March 16, 1933. p. 7. Retrieved May 21, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
38. "Santa Cruz Senator Seeks Re-Election". Arizona Republic. April 19, 1946. p. 15. Retrieved May 21, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
39. "Senator Leads In Santa Cruz". Arizona Republic. July 17, 1946. p. 6. Retrieved May 21, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
40. "La Mejia Mine". The Border Vidette. June 20, 1908. p. 2. Retrieved May 20, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
41. "Nogales Oldtimer Earns Title Of History Expert". Arizona Republic. March 29, 1953. p. 63. Retrieved May 22, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
42. "Local Items". The Border Vidette. June 12, 1909. p. 3. Retrieved May 20, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
43. "Karns Brothers". The Oasis. December 30, 1911. p. 9. Retrieved May 22, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
44. "Articles Of Incorporation". The Border Vidette. April 26, 1913. p. 2. Retrieved May 22, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
45. "Auto Firm Is Sold". Bisbee Daily Review. February 5, 1922. p. 3. Retrieved May 21, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
46. "Articles of Incorporation of the Nogales Fire Department". The Border Vidette. December 31, 1910. p. 2. Retrieved May 20, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
47. "Another Water Meeting". The Oasis. July 1, 1911. p. 5. Retrieved May 20, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
48. "Local News". The Border Vidette. April 20, 1912. p. 3. Retrieved May 20, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
49. "Karns Brothers". The Oasis. December 25, 1912. p. 11. Retrieved May 20, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
50. "To Release Pilot". The Arizona Republican. March 25, 1929. p. 9. Retrieved May 21, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
51. "Rebels Free Pilot". The Arizona Republican. March 27, 1929. p. 2. Retrieved May 21, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
52. "First United States Tequila Plant Opens". Arizona Republic. November 26, 1936. p. 9. Retrieved May 21, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.

• Democratic Party Arizona state senators
• 1880 births
• 1956 deaths
• Politicians from Jamestown, New York
• People from Nogales, Arizona
• 20th-century members of the Arizona State Legislature