Gunsight Pass creator David Smith came to the Dec. 10 auction of Carlos Hadaway’s art and collectibles with one thing on his mind.

Smith desired a framed lithograph of the famous original Bird Cage Theater in Tucson for the replica in his 1880s western town in Goldfield Ranch, 10 minutes east of Fountain Hills.

Before the auction, Smith commented “I’m prepared to go down fighting for it.”

Less than two hours later, Smith left smiling with his new purchase for $225. He said he had admired the art ever since Hadaway had shown him the lithograph.

Smith joined several acquaintances of Hadaway and antique collectors, some of whom flew in for the sale, according to auctioneer Rowlan Hill of Blue Leaf Estate Auctions, Mesa.

About 500 original art paintings and prints; cowboy and western collectibles, clothing, boots and military objects, mostly owned by Hadaway were sold. Some items, such as furniture, guns, jewelry, coins and a one-horse sleigh, came from other sellers.

On top of the sale price, bidders paid the local sales tax, an 18 percent buyers’ premium if a credit card was used or 15 percent if paid in cash.

The theater-style auction setting was a first for the business, said Hill. Usually the auctions are conducted in a residence and an itemized catalogue of articles and photographs is not printed.

He described the auction as a “barn-burning auction” with bidding and sales.

Blue Leaf Estates can be contacted at 602-758-0865.

Over the years, Hadaway filled his home with original art and western memorabilia. His nickname was “The Arizona Kid.” He was a frequent artist at the Fountain Hills arts festivals and exhibitor at Prescott and Flagstaff shows.

He lives in a group home in Scottsdale where he suffers from brain cancer.

While serving in the Navy, Hadaway was a cartoonist and created the original logo of a bat-swinging Friar for the San Diego Padres. A sports banner bearing the logo was among the objects sold, including a number of his Budweiser paintings.

Norma Jean Pycha and her late husband Frank III were acquaintances of Hadaway. She recalled Carlos’ gregarious personality at the preview to the auction.

“He was interested in anyone and everyone. He was a hugger,” she said. “Carlos would have loved an event like this.”

Carlos’ wife Nancy said “the auction accomplished what I wanted to do. I had a game plan and it worked the way I anticipated.”

She said she decided to “let other people appreciate and enjoy” his collection.

Everything sold with one exception. Nancy took home a framed original oil painting of a Hopi Eagle dancer and an accompanying limited edition porcelain plate. Bidding did not reach her reserve price, she said.