Arizona citizen. [volume] (Tucson, Pima County, A.T. [i.e. Ariz.]) 1870-1880, 1876-04-15
The CITIZEN.
The Great Calamity.


The Great Calamity.
The outbreak of the Chiricahua Apa
ches IS a serious blow to southeastern
Arizona. We had enjoyed peace SC
long that people were off their guard
and were scattered over the country in
small parties, prospecting, stock-rais-
ing and farming, and in many instances
were poorly armed. We have not yet
learned of the immediate antecedents
or cause of this outbreak but presume
that the known bloOd-thirsty character
of these particular Apaches, the bad
policy under which they were placed
upon their reservation, and the subse-
quent bad management or absence of
management since the forming of the
reservation are the prime elements in
the dark drama.
General o. o. Howard, in September
1872, with the aid Of Agent T. J. Jeffords,
made treaty with the then Cachise
Apaches, giving them large corner Of
one of the finest part Of Arizona, extend
ing from few miles east ofthe San Pc
dro river to the New Mexico boundary,
and reaching from the Sonora line some
seventy-five miles north in its longest
parts, including extensive mountain and
valley range. Nearly everything they
asked was granted them. They were
70 be fed by government, to roam at
will over the reserve and TO be free
from any military control. About the
only thing, as far a we were ever able.
to learn, which they promised in re
turn, was that they would cease to muir
der and rob IN Arizona. Since Septem-
Der, 1871, this disgraceful crime Of al
treaty has been going on. Complaints
have almost daily reached US that these
Indians were numbering and pillagingi
in Sonora, and that they were spending
their time on the reservation in indO-
lence and drunkenness, their debauch-
cries often resulting in the murder of
each other, including frequent abuse
and murder Of their women. They
have practically been under no control
and have come and gone at will. Until
recently, from policy, they have alb
stained from depredating upon the lives
and property Of the people of Arizona
We protested from the beginning,
against the disgraceful treaty made by
General Howard with Cachise. Wei
labored, until we saw no use of labor
ing, TO correct the management on this
reserve, and to have the Indians brought
under the same control and discipline
as those of other reservations. We pre-
dicted the calamity which has now be-
fallen US, but our efforts were of no
avail. The editor Of this paper begged ,
of General Howard to put a stop to thei
making and drinking of tiswin on thei
reservation, but he replied that it was ,
a custom that could not be broken up
and that tho liquor Vac =, I.4-."le4~
beverage, when the fact was patent that +
under Its influence these Indians be- ,
came. inhuman fiends.
Upon what is past it is useless longer ,
TO dwell. The stern reality of war is ,
now forced on US, and to most speedily
subdue these red-handed murderers and t.,
restore peace becomes the urgent need
of the hour. If the war against them .
is waged promptly and vigorously, if ,
their mode Of warfare Is adopted and
friendly Indians are used in coniunc- =
ton with federal troops, they can be
conquered ina few weeks. But ifgoodl
trails and convenient camps are the
objects sought in the campaign, the war
may last for years We await with
anxiety the development of the military
treatment of this grave situation. Sut
have confidence that General KautzI
will prove himself equal to the emer
gency. /