Wasnauk shot hats off passengers for 25 cents

During the early Maricopa Junction days in 1912, 92-year-old entrepreneur Mr. Wasnauk walked to Maricopa every afternoon from the Ak-Chin community with tools in hand to greet the passengers of trains Numbers 7 and 8.  

His tools were the bow and arrow, and his trade was shooting off the hats of anyone willing to take a chance.  

Either he was a very fast talker or he looked very capable, because many did take the chance. “He never missed his target,” remarked an old pioneer, Susie Smith. 

Wasnauk was paid a quarter for this demonstration. 

Submitted photo

Editor’s note:  Maricopa factoids are a regular feature on InMaricopa.com. They are provided by the Maricopa Historical Society, a branch of the Friends of the Maricopa Public Library. Most of the photos and information come from “Reflections of a Desert Town” by author and historical society chairperson Patricia Brock.