The weekly Arizona miner., 1869-05-08
Indian Depredations at Mint Valley.

Thursday night last, Abraham Mckee, farmer of Mint Valley, about twelve miles from Prescott, called into this office and re- lated his experience with Indians, during the past month. It Is about as follows Early | this spring, himself and partner, Mr. Harding, | located ranch in Mint Valley, set to work, built good log house 20xl6, and rooicd 1t | with shingles. They then turned their at- ] tentiou Co ploughing, etc, but found out soon | after engaging in it, that band of Indians who live in the vicinity were determined to prey upon them, and, if possible, drive them from their home. At times Indians would come out from the rocks close to and in rear of their house, fire at them and then retreat to a secure place in the rocks. After carrying on in this way for quite while, they stole into the ho1se one day and robbed it of blan- kets. clothing, provisions, etc. They also took with them horse that was picketcd near the house. Messrs. Mckee & Harding happened
 to sec them, hastened to the house, but ar
 uved too late Co recover their property.
 They had only the poor satisfaction of shoot ing at the red scamps and missing them, it satisfaction that may be. Now. this was hard on the settlers. Their only horse, all their
 blankets and provisions taken, almost before
 their eyes-by red marauders. It did not,
 however, cause them to give tip in despair.
 No, an Arizonian never thinks of that. J.
 II. Lee, kind-hearted neighbor, who lives in
 American Valley, became acquainted with
 their misfortuncs, and with that generosity and noblencss of soul that distinguishes the
 American pioneer, helped them to new out fit of provisions etc. They then set to work
 and so did the Indians who occasionally made their appearance and took shot at them while working ir the field. Of course, upon these occasions, Mac and his partner woald open fire upon and pursue the Indians, who-, eowardly dogs that they are--would strike for the rocks. Seeing thaa they were not likely 10 be successful in driving the two
 white men from the valley by the mode they
 had been pursuing, the Johnnies adopted a new plan-a plan they, no doubt, believed, would prove a great success, but 1t has failed
 also. as we hope will ever be the case with
 their plans and projects. Tuesday morning
 last, as the settieFs were hard at work In the
 field, they were startled at beholding smoke
 and flame darting upwards from their house. 1 Intuition told them what the matter was, and,
 leaving the field, they rushed to the house,
 thinking they might arrive in time to save ii
 and contents from being destroyed. Upon arriving there, they saw at glance that ii was impossible for them to save anything The red fiends had done their work well The hames-started by their nefarious hand.
 were fast reducing the logs and shingles to
 ashes, and no recourse was left the settlers but
 to grin and bear it. They heard the Indians
 laughing in the rocks, but, although filled
 with rage and sorrow, dare not go near th,
 savages knowing, full well, that it would b.
 death to do so. Presently, Mr. Lee arrived
 saw the situation Of affairs, and advised Nc Kee and Harding to aeeen,rs rsay him n kil
 home They had not gone far, when Lee, dis
 covering that he had lost something in th,
 vicinity of the burned dwelling, turned hu
 horse in that direction, and upon coming 1T
 sight of the smouldering ruins, saw abou
 twenty Indians dancing, prancing and search
 ing around it. Lee immediately dismounted tied his horse, took good aim at an Indian and sent him staggering to the earth, bu before he could get another shot, the Indian picked up their wounded comrade, ard car ried him off. Upon hearing the shot iron Lees gun, Mac and hs partner returned an, with Lee, followed tho trail of the Indian for some distance. Not coming up with them and being well satisfied, from the amount e blood seen on the tral-that Lee had mad one Indian good, they gave up pursuit an' !, started for American Tsllcy. Alter all this
 almost any person would imagine that McKe I and Harding would abandon their ranch il , Mint Valley, but Mac has told us that it wa their solemn determination to stick io it, Ant
 they have already determined 'to erect al r adobe house, which the Indians cannot burr D Their persistence is worthy of praise, and W sincerely hope they will be rewarded for thei i trials, iabors and msfortunes.
 We have dwelt upon this subject more fo
 the sake of showing the difficulties whic settlers in this Territory have to encounter i . wrestling II from the grasp of the say age as well as to show the inefficency an d gross neglect of Government in not, at ono, s putting an end to the miserable, worthles F race that, almost daily, in one part or anothe $ of this Territory, sheds the blood of whit y citizens. We pay taxes, do every other dut .- | required of us on info tha ,.,;Ida,nas. ,,;.