National Republican., 1873-10-04
LIFE AMONG THE APACHBS
NEWS FROM THE WHEELER EXPEDITION

Apache htde OF the Queston-lhterests I
iss Historical sketch-sociai Usases
or the savases-what They Eat asd
Dviak.
Especial correspondence Of the RepublicanLl
CANT ON rnr sso Re- ,amss;r amis; AiseiH2sA' n is's'
During our stay at Camp Apache, after the
return from the White Mountain exploration, |
I devoted some Of my spare hourr to ncccs- |
sarily hasty and incomplete examination Of
the physique, morals, customs, &C., Of the
Apache Indians, a task the more difficult TO
en- entire stranger on account Of their dis
trust OF the good intentions Of the white
man.
Much has as far back as tho memory oil
the Oldest inhabitant extends, been said pro
aud con about the Indian. The peace, philan-
thropic and the war, or cocrcivc policy,
have had their advocates and opponents, and
theories, based on principles Of justice, gen.
eroslty and brotherly love, but not on proper
understanding Of the subject, have been IN
vented and ventilated with wonderful fcrtll- |
ity, vet I do not remember reading an article
that contained anything like full and prac-
ticaI exposition of the Indian question. Let
no one fear that shall presume TO under
take the task.
BONE CAUSES ron THE FAILURE UT ooh
INDIAN POLICY.
o,e aftcrpoou I went to the Indian agency
situated on prominent point one half mile
from Camp Apachc-t0 procure the services
Of an Interpreter to enable INC to collect Q
Hyocabulary" Of the Apache tongue.
found the agent absent but was informed by
his wife, short, square, Intelligent lady OF
Teutonic origin, that Mr.. Coolic, one OF the
f,rpt pioneers OF this region, and q man Of
some Intelligence, education, and conyersant
with the Apache language, would be the best
man for the purpose. found Mr.. Coonc o.
the suticr-store Of tho fort. A full-faced,
norid, stoutish man, small pug nose, and
blonde goatec; a fair representation OF the
rough, reckless, but experienced and intelli-
gent frontiersman. He was interpreter 10
Mr.. Vincent Collyer al the time Of his visit
to the Apaches few years since. Hew un-
able for want Of time TO grant my request for
his services as q medium of communication,
but heard some remarks from him on the
Indian subject which harmonic With my own
ideas.
Prefacing his remarks by cunsigning all
the Indians In the country to very warm
place indeed, he asserted that the Apaches,
though the most troublesome were not by far
the worst disposed Indians In the country.
They are, especially the women, industrious
where an inducement for industry Is held out
10 them; but have been spoiled BY the prom
ises of the many new commanders OF the de-
partment of Arizona, who succeeded each
other 50 rapidly until the arrival OF General
Crook-promises which, Per force, were
with his plans, his promises, staid long enough
TO m IKE the latter, then was recalled. Then
cam, General so-aud-so: experience ditto
Thea came Mr.. Collyer, honest and charita-
bic no doubt but another failure. Then
Gen. Howard, with but little better success
until finally Gen. Crook, a soldier Of c1.
perience In Indian warfare and Indian char
actor, came with deeds, with cautious charity
and without promises, and he ~is success
He has satisfied the Caucasian settlers o
Arizona-let us bow low to his genius ant
to his sagacityi But he insists on no promise
TO the Indians from anybody. In this he OK
hlbits one Of the qualities essential TO sue
cess, military success especially: First t
give no command you have not the righ
and the power to enforce. Second
sure Of being able to ful1ll. Third.
command once given, to insist on obedienc
10 1t at every risk. Fourth. A promise ono
made, to see to Its fuldllment at any sacrifice
for, as there Ia "a serio-comic) sublimity i
the motto: "Let Justice be done, though th
heavens should fall !" there Is nobility In tn
sentimental Spartan one, perhaps-lct
promise be kept, though Ii cost you you
life man may shlrk the fulfllment Of
promise, but hes not man for all that
fear that our Government has unwittingl,
much to answer for In this respect througl
Its agents.
COMPLAINT OF THE APAcHEs.
great complaint, and plausible one, OF
the part Of the Apachos is that, despite al
promises on the part Of special ENJOYS, In
dian agents, &C., they do not receive half th
aid from the Government which other In
ton Of beef and corn, while the latter ar
supplied with clothing, farming Implement
seeds, cattle and tobacco; and 1t is elaine
that II the Apachcs were furnished with som
of the above aid they could be induced
settle down and raise enough agriculture
products to supply their own wants and thos
Of the military posts Of this Territory. l b
lleve II. The Apaches are now peuned up
rcscrvations-rich and large enough In q
truth-on which they stay In very fair faltl
on apoor allowance Of beef and corn. n
Coolle says that this year he expects 10
able to purchase from them 15O, 1000 pount
of corn, to help meet Government contrac
The question may be asked: Why, IL Il
Indians can sell corn, should we tax our ow
pockets to supply them Il must be b0rI
pacity Of the Indians Is that Of children, to
treated accordingly. Some are more frug
and enterprising than Others, but they sha
not their substance with the others, and o
chary Of stretching forth q helping hand
their less progressive brethren; and thoul
they arc no more destitute Of the generoI
than we who contribute so much proof
they to the assertion that TO bring TO tho su
face and to apractical appreciation the fe,
ings Of fellowship requires an Intelligent CT
tivation?
TOO MUCH REQUIRED FROM INDIANS.
People kindly disposed toward the Indii
uuconsciously require too much of him. III
is especially the case with the frontier settle
from purely cgotistical motives. Why shou
you feel a thrill Of horror and indignation
The news Of u few men killed by savages
" ans s S9s. te,f'so Peop'eu y nSTe snn u. t'
dians of the public safety, when tales Of mu
der reach you every day, committed |
friends Of your own race in our city guardt
by thousands Of policemen? Let your chart
begin at, and reserve your. indignation TO
home, oh, kindly Caucasian and mete out
your erring but benighted brother Of d
primeval forests the kindness and tho fo
giveness that Is less deservedly bestowed o
many more enlightened ruffian. And n
member always that though might make
right from practical II does not do 81
from just standpoint!
HISTORY OF THE APAoHEs.
OF the history Of the Apaches absolute
nothing is known, except vaguely that the
came from the South and drove of formc
race-(AztocsO
The same may be said Of their traditions
Being superstltious as distrustful, 1t Ia impos
sible TO obtain Information from them, unles
you live among them and acquire their conf
dcncc. II seems to me that the object woul,
be worthy the expenditure OF the time an,
labor Of some Intelligent person Of the neces
sary culture TO 20 among the Apaches, lear
their language, and acquire data ior tn
practicable, comprehensive chronological dc
scription of this people. An Indian agent o
the needful mental and moral adoption, an
interest in the task, would be the right man
Their political economy Is extremely primi
tive. The Coyoteros-the division Of III
Apaches inhabiting the country about Cam
Apsche--number some !, 800 souls; they hav
a"princlpal chief" whose Office Is heredl
tary-the name Of the present incumben
being -Shillah-four 'sub-chiefs
and number of "brayes" they togethe
constitute the council" frame the laws an
decide all points Of issue, while the head q
family exercises almost unlimited authorit
over the members thereof
THEIR SOCIAL UsAGEs
are, In many respects, similar to those Of tn
Zunis or Pueblos. They can have as man
wives as they please, the wooing being as 70
lows: The smitten masculine deposits pre-
ont, Its value proportioned to his means, th
ardor Of his passion, her charms and ranl
before her fathers lodge. II the sultor