Arizona citizen. [volume] (Tucson, Pima County, A.T. [i.e. Ariz.]) 1870-1880, 1871-03-04
SAN PEDRO VALLEY.
Its Progress, and Affections by the
Apaches.

Is, 1865, by Mark Aldrich, John 81.
Archibald, F. Burthhold, Jarvis Jack
son, John Montgomery and Ell. Brown
of Tucson. A crop of wheat and bar
ley was planted. In Feb. 1866, the
work was commenced on the ditch to
convey water to the land. By April
%, all were ready to plant a corn crop.
Houses had been built and land secur-
ed. The detachment of soldiers that
had been promised us to be perma
nently stationed here, had arrived, and
each day brought arrivals of settlers
to the valley, until the population
reached one hundred men, women and
children. In September, the soldiers
were taken away from here. The
crops produced in the valley the first
year amounted in all to about 100000
pounds of wheat, barley end beans.
During the year there was not a single
death from any cause, nor was there
one Indian depreciation. ALI was
peace and prosperity,
The commencement of the first Apa-
che depredations was in 1867. The
Indians attacked some Mexicans whilst
blowing, and killed one of their num-
Der. A few weeks after, they attacked
a herd of oxen and killed the herder,
and drove off one horse and four yoke
of oxen. Some of the settlers in the
lower part Of the valley were becom-
ing alarmed and talked of leaving
their places. About this time, Capt.
Kinds, of the firm of Kinds s. Hooker,
happened in the settlement, and wrote
a petition which was signed by num-
Der of citizens and forwarded to Gen
eral Crittenden, asking for guard to
be stationed at this place. The Gen
eral Immediately sent ten men. They
remained here until the next year. In
September three more horses were
stolen, the property Of Ruis, Burth-
hold and Lopes, making for the year,
two men killed and twelve head of
stock stolen. About 100000 pounds
Of corn was raised in the valley.
The Apaches commenced in 1868 by
breaking into the house Of Mr.. Col
well and robbing it, and destroying
considerable amount Of property.
During the year, they stole from the
settlements eleven head of stock-eight
horses and three oxen. Six Of the
horses were the property of Colwell
and Burthhold and two belonged to
Brown and Wesley The oxen be-
ionged to Montgomery and Ruis. No
person was killed during the year, and
the crops about the same as the pre-
vious year.
In 1869, the valley received a num-
Der of new settlers; new farms were
opened; bitches were constructed; and
there appeared to be a change for the
better. The Indians commenced dep
relations about the first Of April, and
from that time until January, 1870,
they killed six Americans and stole
fourteen head OF valuable horses. In
April, they stole Mr. Gardrer's horse
in May, two from Nelson O. Brother;
same month, two from MI Hartsell,
and about the last Of the month, at
tackled and killed a man III the employ
Of Brown, and took off the team--a
valua bic horse and a mule. On the
third of July, they attacked the house
Of Wesley & Co, killed Nj johnson,
destroyed the entire property and took
off four horses. The owners Of the
place estimated their loss at $500 The
same day they killed two men at the
farm above Wesley's. About the last
Of August, the Indians stole two horses
from Miller & Smith A month later
they stole another horse from Mr.. Egg
shorn. January 7, 1870, they attacked
and killed S. Brown and J. Shines.
The crops in the valley for 1869 amour
ted to about $4,000 pounds.
In 1870, the Indians killed one man
Mr.. Jackson-and stole FIVE horses.
L L Ii.