Arizona citizen., 1874-12-26
THE JHIRICAHUA APACHEs.
Something Gbout their conduct.-- What we believe to be the facts in the case.

In treating of the econduct of Indians as well as citizens, we only desire to pub fish the truth-good or bad, for or against, as the facts are ascertained and have a public bearing. When we believed the Chiricahua Apaches were depredating in and teiegraphed that belief. For over two years, the whole southeastern part of Arizona has been free of murders and al- most of thefts, by Indians. The Chirlca- hua Apachcs occupy it. They are under no military restraint. They and their agent are entitled to great credit, and we believe all who have interests ill this part of Arizona, readily accord it to them. The Alta and other journals friendly to Arizona interests, are allowing them selves to be impo,ed on by correspond ents and other journals. We are sure no friendly paper, like The Alta, would will ingIy say anything to destroy the peace we enjoy, especially as for twelve years prior to it, murder, torture and theft were rife and committed by the very Indians now at peace. We have advices from reliable sources in Sonora, that the Ures paper has been imposed on by false reporls or thinks it can make some point by the course it takes regarding the Arizona Apaches. Hearing our own people make a charge of theft on the Chiricahua Apa ches, under circumstances which doubt less seemed to them to point that way, we at once decided to make all possible in- quiries both as regards alleged thefts by them in Arizona and murder and thefts in Sonora. We at once asked Capt. Jeffords to give us facts within his knowledge for public use, and here is his reply which we prefer to give as written, at the same time expressing our belief in the truth of his 
 CHIRI CAHUA INDIAN AGENCY,
 ARIZONA, December 19, 1874.
 JOHN WAssoN, Esq, Tucson, Arizona: Your favor of the 10th inst. is duly to hand and contents noted. 1 beg 10 ten 1 ler you my sincere thanks for your desire | that these Indians should not receive cen sure for outrages that they have not con- nitted, and am sorry that The Alta should | nave inserted so glarlngly false state | nent.
 Referring to the article copied from The Estrella of the 18th ult., l will say in the irst place: There are not 300 men capa- )le of bearing arms at this Agency, nor nave that number ever drawn rations here, ind, secondly: During the months of October 9nd November, nearly all the ri naphpS Uprp pomnpd NUitbir, hort distances of Camp BowIe and visited hat post almost every day. This fact llOne renders it impossible for them to lave been raiding anywhere, and is known o the commanding officer at Camp Bowie md also to Mir. T. Hughes, clerk at the rader's store at the post, with whom the ndIans were dealing constantly and who )y continual intercourse has become ac- Iuainted with the majority of them by tight.
 In regard to the parties of sixty and hirty, said to have been seen in Sonora,
 beg to state that to my certain knowl- dge there are over sixty Apache Indians yho live there, and who never have lived TOT drawn ratiOns upon this reservation; nd as 1 am positive that none of my In lIans were away at the dates mentioned, he murders and thefts may possibly have Tu.
 do not think these Indians are very like Y to travel to Mexico to steal cattle when hey have all they require at home
 1 regret very much that MT. RIckman bould have had any stock stolen, but as
 have already written to Dr. Handy and Sheriff Oury, will recover the animals If hey are brought on this reserve alive When speaking tOa number of the head hen about the matter, was told that the heft had not been committed by any Apaches drawing ratiOns here, but that ome strange Indians had crossed the re- erve short time previously. Being anx- GUS to recover the animals, sent out cOuts, and am assured that if any horses l re brought here, they wIll be found, as in { he words of the Indians" "They cannot f ury them, and therefore cannot hide ' hem" If found they will be brought to ne.
 The above facts you are very welcome , 0 use in any way you wish, but should :, refer you to use them as basis for your wn review of the matter.
 Respectfully Yours, T
 THOMAS J. JEFFORDS.
 P. S.-I met a Mir. Clark at the Post esterday, who has been living in Corali- es, and he knows the facts concerning I he alleged cattle stealing. He promised l 3 call upon you, at my request, as soon l