Arizona weekly citizen., 1883-08-25
CROOKS CAMPAIGN.
What An Apache Chief Thinks of the
 Recent Raid.
A"e "i"rious Army of the Sierra Madrs Do as They Are Bid By the
 Chiricahuas

This morning a CITIZEN renorter il, hls regular rounds of searchingfo for news found two Apache Indians in the office of the United States Marshal busily en gagged with Mr. Smeardon, the clerk. On inquiry they were discovered to be of the citizen Indians of Es-kim-in-Zin's band, who left the San Carlos agency in lo'S, and settled at the mouth of the Aravapai canyon, where they extensively cultivate the soll.
 Mir. Smeardon has resided in San Car los for several years, and Is perfectly ac- qualnted with the Apache language. Taking advantage of this fact, and knowing that General Crooks scouts had been out over the country of Es-kim- n-zin, an interview was had with the Indians
 They are of the Apache-Pinal tribe. Their names are Es-kin-a-la and In-da- cla. Es-kin-a-la is a chief, the husband of several wives and the father of sev- eral children. In-da-cla is just married. They are here for the purpose of buying provisions, as they do not draw rations from the agency. They had on brass tags. Es-kin-R-la's tag was marked "L-2, and In-da-clss tag was marked
 Directing his questions to Chief Es- kln-a la. the reporter asked:
 Have you seen any of General Crooks scouts since their return from the Si- erra MRdre?
 Oh, yes; many of them, and I have talked with quite a number.
 How many Chiricahuas do they say Crook brought back with him?
 They returned with 243 Indians, mostly old women and children, and two chiefs of the Warm Sprlngs h. dlans, Loco and BonitO. Loco is very old man.
 Did they not bring back any Chiri- cahua warriors?
 Not one; the warriors all staid with the best of the young women; they let General Crook bring the old women and children back to the reservation where they could be cared for. The Chiri- cahuas could not afford to feed 80 large
 
 Are there any Chiricahuas coming back to the reservation now?
 No, not one. Natchez. the son of l Cochise, told General Crook that he 1 would return in two days, which he did l not do.
 Do you think they will return and | 
 Why should they? Their old women ftd faf A ,,Na k.- fg ar. and are well cared for, and | they are out in the Sierra Madre with | .helr young women and plenty of game.
 Was there any fight when the old women and children were captured?
 The scouts say there was no fight. \ daughter of Bonito got accidentally hot m trying to run away from camp. She got frightened. That was the only hot fired. There was nobody killed, md there was no battle If there had been General Crook and his entire force would have been massacred, because the indians surrounding them were su- 'erio- in numbers, as well armed, and lad the sympathy of over half the scouts ho divided their ammunition with the 'hlricahuas right under General Crooks lose.
 W ny, then, did they not kill Crook nd his soldiers like the Sioux dld Gus CT
 Because 1t served them to a better to have Crook take their old 7omen and children back to the San 'arlos reservation, where they would ecelve proper care. while they could re- naln in the Sierra Madre with .heir ouBg women, and make raids on the lexicans at their leisure.
 How are matters now at the reserya- ion !.
 The soldiers now have entire control Wilcox left angry. The scouts have all l' nit work, as there is DO more pay. How do the Indians like this? About the same. may be not as much.