New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1858-05-24
NeuUork daily Gribm,re
FROM ARIZO
ITS RESOURCES AND HISTORY
The Apache Indians.

Correspondence or The N. Y. Tribune
TUCSON A. T., April /, 1858.
The attention paid by the General Government
to the Western possessions of the United States
during the last year, in the fitting out of wagon.
road expeditions traversng the entire extent Of our
political limits, has brought into more extensive
notice the Territories of New-MexicO and Arizona.
A dispute arose between the United States and
Mexican Commissioners relative to the boundary
line between the two countries, which was finally
settled by our Minister to Mexico, Mr.. Gsdsden,
and thenceforth the portion Of land secured to our
country was known by the name Of The Gadsden
Purchase, or Arizona Territory.
Whenever attention is attracted by new Statei
or Territories, one of the first questions asked is,
"What are its capabilities of supporting emigra-
ton 2" As regards Arizona the question is being
answered. 1t is essentially mineral country. In
addition to the already known rich silver and cop.
per mines in the Chiracahui, Santa Rita, and Santa
Catarina Mountains, others have lately been dis
covered by some of the attaches Of Leachs wagon.
road commission in the hills at the junction of the
San Pedro River with the ella. Accompany Of
persons from California, under the directions OF
Mr.. Wainwright of San Francisco, are now
engaged in erecting melting furnaces at the
celebrated silver mine of San Xavier, while
the Canon de Oro in the Santa Catarina
Mountain, eighteen miles from Fuscon, is
creating the greatest excitement Reports had
long been rife that there was gold there, but the
dread of the fierce Apache Indians had, until the
| arrival of the aforementioned commission, pre-
vented persons from prOspe sting there. With the
advent OF SO many new corners, the danger became
proportioAably less, and on the 10th of February
party of Tuscon residents left for the gold canon,
and in four days they returned, bringing the most
| hatteriDg accounts and, better sill, some spec-
mems of gold, the yield being from ten to fortythree
| cents TO the pan. Soon the excitement spread
| spades and picks were at premium, and some in-
dyiduas went hundred miles after these ndispen-
| cable implements. At the present time Tuscon is
deserted for the canon, and with the exception Of
a few Mexican herders, most of the male pOpula-
| ton are at work IN the mines.
MANY years ago the Jesuts had complete pos
session and control OF this province which was then
one OF the richest in all Mexico. They subdued the
wild savage tribes that surrounded them, and rem
dered them subseryient 70 their Will. Soon the
broad and fertile valleys of the San Pedro and the
Santa Cruz smiled with luxurlant harvests Of golden
grain, while countless herds OF cattle r0alned on
the grassy hills or fed by the pleasant streams.
Then also the magnificent Church Of San Xavier
was erected with the proceeds of the silver mine.
1t is chiefly made of burnt adsbes and was built by
the Indians under the supervision OF master arti-
sans from old Spain. II is now falling to decay,
yet grand and imposing in its decadence. The floor,
that once was tesseated now cracked and broken.
The old OIL paintings that decorate the walls are COW
cred with rildew, and the beautiful lfe-hke wax
images look softly down from their once gilded
inches, with Il look OF sadness ON their fading
shrines.
In 1850 the power Of the Jesuts began to dimin-
isb and when the revolution occurred in 1915 they
were forced 10 leave the country. Ere they left
they carefully closed the mines aad totally erased all
signs by which they might be recognized. Records
showing how these mines may be found now exist
in the City of Mexico.
When The hand that had so sklllfully ruled and
,v,yed the fierce tribes removed, they grsdu-
nlDy reapsed into their prlmeval barbarian. The
rich valleys grew barren from neglect, and the Low
irg cattle disappeared from the undulatDg hills.
Indian inroads and depredatioDs soon became ire
ouent and in n short time theA,eaceiu cItzens were
obliged 10 remove 10 the safer positions oil cites ana
towns, ard the wild Apaches remained masters OF
the country. That they have lost none OF their
natural cruelty and ircrVcity mag be seen IRON the
following incident;
On the 10Th Of last month, about nghtidil' oedu'