Beaufort Republican. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1871-1873, 1873-02-20
An Indians Revenge.

An Ihdiah's Revenge.
In order to properly understand the
true condition of Cachise and his band,
will say that he is chief of band of
Apaches who in olden times Inhabited
the country from the Gila on the north
to some distance into Sonora on the
south, and from San Pedro on the west
to the Mimbres in New Mexico on the
east. They have, as far back as the
memory of man here runs, been at war
with the people of New Mexico, and
their living has been principally obtain
ed by robbery.
when Arizona was first possessed by
the United States, for reasons best
known to himself, Cachise sought and
evidently desired peace with our people
and Government, and this relation ex-
listed until 1860. During the time,
however, he constantly raided upon the
neighboring States of Mexico, and
brought back herds of horses and cat
tie. Occasionally stock was taken in
Arizona by his Indians at points dis
tant from his country, but it is under
stood that when complaints were made
in such cases he made an effort to re-
store the property.
During the year 1850 boy was made
captive while herding stock on the
Sonoita, and some believed that Cachlse
had taken him hence Lieutenant Bas-
com with company of soldiers, march
ed to Apache Pass, near his headquar-
ters, and camped at the Overland Mail
station. The lieutenant told the sta
tion-keepers that he was on his way to
New Mexico, and desired to see Cachise,
and induced them to 60 and invite him
in.
When asked by Cachise what was
wanted of him, he was informed that he
desired to extend the hospitalities Of
his tent, as he was on his way out of
the country. Cachise, with four of his
friends and relatives came in, and when
seated in Bascom's tent it was suddenly
surrounded by soldiers.
He desired to know the cause, and
was informed that he and his trends
were prisoners, and would be kept as
such until the boy, believed to be with
the band, was given up. Cachise pro-
tested against such treachery, and de-
clared that he would not give him up as
he knew nothing about him., Watching
his opportunity, he drew his knife and
cut hole through the tent and thus
escaped.
He Immediately called his warriors
together, and came in force near the
station and desired to have talk. One
of the station-keepers went to him to
hear what he had to say, but as soon as
he had reached Cachise's lines he was
seized and made prisoner. A day or
two was spent afterward in endeavoring
to make an exchange of prisoners, Ca
chise offering to give up his prisoner II
the lieutenant would release his (Ca-
chise's) friends.
The lieutenant declined to exchange
only man for man, unless Cachise would
surrender the boy but Cachise stead
ily steadily affirmed that he knew moth
ing about him. Finally he came for a
last talk, leading his statian-keeper
prisoner with q ropa around his neck,
tied to the horn of his saddle, He
again offered to surrender him if his
four friends were set free. The station
keeper begged to have the exchange
made, as his life would be forfeited if
it was not done but again the lieuten-
ant refused, and Cachise roweled ="
his horse and dashed off at lightning
speed, dragging his poor victim at full
length by the neck.
The lieutenant then hung the four
prisoners, and Cachise opened the terri
BILE war that has since almost deyasted
Arizona.
The people, not being appriscd that
the hostilities had broken out, fell easy
victims, and the horrible murders and
tortures that followed for the next few
years are sickening to relate and from
that time to the first Of last September
scarcely q week passed without the
commission of bloody deeds by this
bands. The attacks of Cachise were
made from ambush, and invariably sue
cessful. Sometimes he appeared to be
supported by large force, and again
had but few followers. He was often
reported to be at different points at the
same time, frequently reported dead,
and generally believed to be crippled
for life.
His force was often reported to be
dwindled TO mere nothing, while he
would, when occasion required, make
a stand with sufficient force to resist all
attempts to capture him.
No matter what impressions were on
tertained regarding him and his force,
ons thing is certain, that he has for
twelve years successfully resisted all
the powers of the friendly tribes and
what the Governments of the United
States and Mexico did bring to bear
against him; and also that since the
first Of last April he has been as success
full in taking life and property as at any
other period since he commenced hos
tilities.
An UNFORTUNATE REsULT-It is in