Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-03-15
LIFE IN ARIZONA.
Attacks upon Colonel Butterworth by.Ara.
-. The Tndlaas.-Narrew EAcape.

ihe Indiaas--Narrcw Rscape.
On the same day, about six hours later,
Colonel BasterW0rth and his party were
on the road between Santa Cruz and Tu'
bac. At a point beyond San Lszsrn's,
near the boundary line, they we're sp-
preached by band Of Apaches, supposed
to be the same who had Killed Mills and
Stephens, and who had meantime crossed
9 spur Of the Patagonia Mountain.
AS soon ss the Indians appeared, they
commenced yelling, bat did not immedi-
stely make an sttaok-their object being,
doubtless, first to stampede the mules and
test the courage Of the assailed party.
Colonel ButterWOrth states that there were
only twelve or fifteen Of them, 80 far ss he
could judge by counting those in sight
He ct once had his ambulance drawn up
on rise Of ground for the purpose Of
defence. The country WAS open, and
there was ample time to make 8 bold
stand and drive the Indians of but the
Mexieans called out, " Run for your liyesl"
and fed in q panic. The Americans
(teamsteFs and driEers) also started to
run. Colonel ButterWorth urged them to
stand and fight like men-thst they could
whip the Indians away in few minutes;
end even threatened to FIRE upon them; but
by this time they had cut away some Of
the mules from the harness, and fed after
the Mexicans. The Apsches then rushed
in, seeing but ono man to defend the am
bulanee, not shot having been fired on
either side. Finding he could do nothing
against 30 large number, Colonel Butter
worth sought position Of defence by
tree about hundred yards distant, where
he made stand, determined To sell his
life as dearly as possible. In the triumph
and confusion of the moment, the Indians
we're too busy to psy much attention to
him, but devoted themselves to robbing
and cutting the ambulance. They cut
away the lining, tore up the seats, and
took everything that was in it, including
arms, ammunition, provisions and 81, 700
in gold, which was destined 10 defrsy the
the expense Of putting force Of work
men in the mines. They also took small
keg Of whisky, over which they had
grand carousal. At this period, Colonel
Butterworth thinks that with the assist
snce Of one brave man he could have killed
the whole band. After their orgie, they
set fire to the grass, which was tall and
dry, for the purpose Of driving their in
tended victim away from the tree, so as
to kill him without risk to themselves.
The flames soon spread, and ButterWorth
was compelled to climb up the tree ss far
IS possible to avoid being burnt. His pan
tsloons were partly burnt, but the smoke
served him good purpose, as it enabled
him to get away without being sean. The
Indians then left and he saw no more Of
them. Night coming on he set out for
Santa Cruz, q distance Of some thirty or
forty miles, following, as well as ne could,
the course Of the Santa Cruz River. There
was thick chspparel and mosquit all
around him; he was ignorant Of the coun-
try and could not speak word Of the
Mexican language. Under such ciroum-
stances he had great difficulty in making
his way. The nights are intensely cold
in this region, and being without blankets
or covering Of any kind he suffered in
tensely. Next day he had to lie by, not
knowing at what moment he might be as
ssssinated by Indians lying in ambush.
After dark he resumed his journey, and
travelled till he saw c campfire, which he
approached. This was the FIRE Of Mexi-
can party sent out from Santa Cruz by
senior CommOdursn, q most worthy and
humane Spsnisrd, to whom the runaway
party had reported the disaster. Butter
worth hailed the camp, but the Mexiesns,
not understanding his language, believed
him to be the scout of some Apache party,
and set up q yell, which caused him to fall
into similar error respecting them, and
he withdrew out Of their reach as fast as
possible. He hid in the meequit for
while, and when the alarm was over, pur-
sued his way, almost exhausted from ia
tigue, cold and starvation. In giving these
details 10 my infOrmants Mr.. John Gaber
and Mr.. Pennington) Colonel ButterWorth
said he thought it was all over with him
just before he saw the camp fires, and
that he had no more strength left, but
when he heard their shouts, and imagined
be had fallen among another band Of Aps-
Ohes, he felt as strong and active as ever.
He thinks he could have killed at least
three or four, had they come upon him
Owing to this unfortunate mistake, he
was out altogether two days and two
nights before the Mexicans found him and
took him down to Santa Cruz.