Arizona miner., 1866-08-22
ENrINauIsnNG MIN rlrLEs.


 EXTINGUISHING INDIAN TITLES.
 If we placed any faith in the theory that the United States government is bound to eNtinguish the Indian titles beforc the whites have any rights here, we should rejoiceat the number of claimants to such titles extin guished in Skull Valley on the 18th instant, by Lieut. Hutton, Mr Freeman and their men. We do rejoice whether Che sayages then slaughtered had or had not titles to cur land, that they were SO summarily and se- ycrelv dealt with Whatever titles they had are oi little avail Co them now. and the coun- try is well rl of a lot of red handed rascals always troaoherous, idle, yicious and worth less It seems that number of Ia Paz In- dan- had formed a combination with the Touto Apachcs and meant Co lay claim Co the country about Skull Valley. Tie band, probably numbering an hundred in all, on the lth instant had the audacitv to stop Mr. Freeman's trsin of seven wagons, and de- mand toll for passing over the road, the toll to consist of thew4gons, their contents and the mules. They very kindly offered to let the telmsters go without molestation if this arrangement WIS made. In view of the number of the -ayagos and the boldnoss of their manner, Mir Freeman concluded to re- turn to Lieut.. Hutton's camp at Skull Val- ley, some eight miles back, and secure an es- cort. With this the train started again on the 18th instant, and or that day Lieutenant llatton, who had returned to the valley. joined it. The Indians had parlcy, and the Lieutenant being in quaniary as to what course Co pursue, sent mcsscugcr to Fort W nipple for the advice of the commanding officer. This, we presume from what fol- lowed, was to the end that if the red kins attempted any interitrenee they should be soundly whipped. On the morning of tho 18th Mir Freeman, who with his train was yet in the valley, desired to make headway, and was furnished with an escort of fourmen, LieuG Hutton with other men being clo,e at hand. At tue distance of mile and halt from the valley the Indians surrounded the train. and made such unmistakable signs of hostility that the Lieut naut and his men clo e in and prepared for fight Although the ,avages had left their bows and arrows aHay from the train they all had knives. and an attempt to thrust one of these at Mr. Freeman began the contest. How well the Lieutenant and his men behaved is sloyn ip the official report printed in another coldmn. We also hear the best reports of the cool bravery of Alr Freeman. Mir Bnbley, and all the citizens and teamsters engaged. Tie fight was close to hand and desperate. Twenty-nine men struggled most successfully with four times that number Of Indians, and the battle, for such it deserves to be called, besides resulting in the death of th.rty-three sayages, and the woanding of a, many more, will be likely to intimidate both friendly and unfriendiy Apache, from any further combi- nations to stop trains in this part of Arizona at least
 Lieutenant Hutt0a's report proves conclu- siyely that the leading Indian in the con fict were from La Paz, or what are known as river Indians. They said that Mr. Leihy, Superintendent of Indian Affairs. wanted buckskins, and said they could get them wherever they pleased, but their stoppage of the train was as we have stated. to gather toll Now we have no desire to mix Nr. Leihy up in this discreditable matter, but he certainly owes it to the owners of the train. the military authorities, and to our people generally, to explain how it is that these h. dians, who arc under his immediate care. and mainly supported by the government, have been permitted to cross the line fixed by himself, and to combine with the wild Apaeh- es It has long been the opinion of our peo- pie that the dcpredations committed west ol the Verde were chargeable to the so-called friendly Indians. The Hualapais were de. tected and promptly punished; the La Paa rascals have now been justly whipped, but this Is nos enough Lieut. Hutton asks ar investigation as to who allowed these friend
 to enter upon robbing expedition with Ch
 T7ntos, and who encouraged them to thml
 the land, the gras. and the water their.
 Such an inv estigation should at once be had
 and Aenceforth it should be understood b
 Mr I.eihy, and the people of the Colorad
 that no dependence whatever can be place
 upon the Indians whom they have though so trusty, and that they are as much again- us as any of the Apaches, and will be shot . sight.
 Iprtrv +le lop, ,r;ss;r,, Trli,r ..or,