The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-12-05
Grenins Stais SusyaaI.
TUESDAY EVENING, DEC. 5, 1871.
THE APACHE AMBUsCADE.
Attack on the Mail staIc-Particulars OF
Death of IorinQ.

Attack the Mail Stage-Particulars of the
Death of Loring.
Circumstantial details of the attack on
the Arizona mail stage leave no doubt as to
the unhappy fate of Fred W. Loring. The
Arizona Miner, published in the vicinity of
the scene Of the attack, gives the follow
ing details of the tragedy:
At an early hour on Sunday morning,
the 9TH inst, the mail stage on the route
from Wickenburg to Ehrcnburg left the
former place with the driver, John LAM,
and the following named passengers
Frederick Shoholm, Frederick W. Loring,
p. M. Hamel, w. G. Salmon, G. S. Adams,
William Kruger and Miss Sheppard. At
point about nine miles from Wickenburg q
party of mounted men, either Indians or
Mexican bandits disguised rs Apaches,
rushed down upon the stage as it was
passing through canon and fired volley
into the passengers, killing all but two per-
sons, and slightly wounding these.
The wounded-Mr. Kruger and Miss
Shsppard-not being disabled, Immediately
sprang from the stage, which was now
brought to a halt, and started together to-
ward Cuttings station. While one detach-
ment of the bloodthirsty wretches sur
rounded the stage, the others went in pur-
suit of the fugitives, keeping up desultory
fire; not being all mounted, their aim was
unsteady, so that beyond slight wound
received by Miss Sheppard neither SUSTAIN
cd further injury than the wounds inflicted
by the first fire. This pursuit was kept
up for distance of nearly half
mile, the pursucrs being meanwhile
kept at bay by Mr.. Kruger, who still
retained his revolver, and fired upon them
whenever they drew too near, causing
them to scatter and retreat, but only to
rally again to the pursuit, until finally they
withdrew and joined their fellows. The
fugitives continued on their way toward
Cuttings Wells until they hailed the east
ward-bound mail, few miles from that
station. Here they were picked up by the
driver who retraced his steps to the station,
from which point information of the calam-
ity was sent to Wickenburg via the Vul-
ture Mine, the bearer fearing to proceed
by the direct route.
About midnight two parties Of citizens
started from Wickenburg for the scene OF
the attack, one to bring in the dead and the
other to take the trail of the murderers.
Upon reaching the stage most horrible
picture was presented to their sight. Six
men-Messrs. Loring, Shoholm, LAM,
Hamel, Adams and Salmon-lay side by
side rigid in death and drenched with blood.
The mystery which surrounds the identity
of the murderers exists in the disposition
which was made of the mail and baggage,
One mail sack was cut open and its con.
tents scattered over the ground; the other
was left untouched.
The baggage of the passengers was
broken open, and while articles of but lit
tie value were carried away, large sums OF
money and other valuables renamed. ALI
this would suggest the work Of ignorant
savages, but as neither the arms, ammuni-
ton nor animals had been removed, some
are inclined to the opinion that the outrage
was perpetrated by band Of Mexican
bandits from Sonora. Mr.. Kruger, who
has really had the best opportunity of de.
Gliding this question, states positively that
they were Indians.