The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1871-08-30
Tho Wild Men of Arizona,

Tho Wild Men Of Arizona,
Noar the lodge wherein wo wore
qu.rtercd was tho tepee, or wigwam.
of q venerable looking medicine man,
who, having ascertaincd that wo be.
Iongcd to tho same profession, mani
tested stoical but stulable in
terest in our Welfare. An opportu-
nifty soon occurring, VIC exercised, o
bad spirit from the liver of young
chief. In short we checked q severe
attack of chills and fever but, it still
remains mystery to that gray head
cd savant why the blue pills pro-
dueod the effect, for he evidently
mistook them for buckshot. He was
surprised at this novel manner Of ad.
ministoring them. If he adopts our
practice the bowels Of his people will
in truth be heavy, and will yearn to.
words tue medicine man. 1t was
from this venerable man that we
learned through our interpreter the
cause of the bitter and unrelentipg
enmity toward all whito men. Thus
the legend runs
Many winters ago the young men
of tho tribe who had been to tho
Southward brought back strange tales
from the tribes which lived upon the
shores of the great salt water. Largo
vessels with white and widespread
skins above them had appeared, and
they were filled with whitc men who
wore long knives and shining
breast plates, dug in tho ground
and washed tho earth in search of
yellow Jumps. AS tho months wore
on, stories came of great cruelties
praotiood by these men upon ali those
who offended them, and naught would
satisfy them but gold. Soon mes
sage came that the strangers would
visit the tribe for the purpose of be-
slowing upon them valuable presents
in return for the privilege of passing
through their country. The place OF
meeting was in the bend of deep
and narrow valloy, where the rocks
formed natural amphitheatre and at
tho appointed day the tribe, to a
man, proceeded to the place with
their women and their young. The
strangers had already arrived, and
vast piles Of the promised gifts lay
covered with canvas.
The Indians wore instructed to
gather in dense mass ata particular
point, while the wonderful strangers,
with banners streaming, trumpcts
braying, and armor flashing back
sunlight, formed scene not soon to
DC forgotten by the simple red man.
The medicine men of the whites, in
long, flowing robes with crosses and
other emblems, performed some
strange and mysterious rites. But in
an instant all was changed. At a
given signal dead silence prevailed.
The canvas was snatchcd from its place
revealing iron tubes on wheels.
Again tho trumpots sounded, aud
shunders and lightnings and sulphu.
rous flames filled the valley. The
dead and dying filled tho air with
Shr.cks and cries which no cannon nor
inusketry nor trumpet could drown.
Then came the charge of horscmcn
with their swords cleaving through
the eagles feathers and painted scalp.
lock, and the pikemeD following fin
ishcd the work of butchery. But few
of the tribe escaped, and thcy fleeing
to the mountains nourishcd tho
Mcmory Of this inhuman wrong. AS
he tribe Increased 81 wly with years.
The story was told to the children,
aud deep in their heart of hearts was
tainted desire for vengeance, and
in their weak way, at every season,
time and place, have they visited the
punishment upon their traditipnary
enemies, and with what measure thoy
mcted, so has it been measured unto
thom again. Such is the legend, as
we heard it, and the flashing eyes of
che "old man eloquent" told how we'll
he had learned the lesson. Doubtless
it has much of the truth in its origin.
The Spanish invader believed in com.
pu!sory civilization and exomplilied
his creed upon all occasions. Tradi.
dition says that this army mover re-
turned to their vessels, internal,
disscnsions divided them into bands,
disease attacked them, and the ma
tlves completed ut the stake the work