Arizona weekly citizen., 1885-08-08
PAUL'S PILGRIMAGE.
| TEe Meanderings Of the Sheriff and His
 Posse on the Trail of the Indians Who Murdered Peterson.

SnerlH faul returned last eFenln from bootless search after the Indians who murdered Peterson, the mail carri- CT near the Mowry. The following is a general history of his trip:
 He left Tucson on Sunday in response to a telegram informing him of the mur- der of Peterson, and arrived at Critten- den on the same evening. Here he found adivislon of sentiment regarding the perpetrators off the murder, some in- clining to the belief that Peterson was removed because of bis connection with the Claiborne murder, as a witness. The sheriff then determined to follow the trail. He then learned that Jas. Finley and his party had returned to Hsrsbaw, having abandoned the trail, but before going to Hsrshaw to talk with Finley, MT. Lew Gormley protfered Mir. Paul hIs own services and the use of hls horses,
 Arriving at Harshaw Mir. Finley told al he knew about the trall and yolun- teered to accompany ILe sheriff on his expedition. They left Hafshsw on Mon day and went to CrIttenden; they could find no horses to convey them and there fore the sheriff chartered hand car vlth which the party went to CritteDden ranch the upper ranch of Richards n < Corn. ley. On Tuesday, Alex Harbison went to the Empire ranch, to notify Vail to get help, with instructions to meet the party, consisting of Sheriff Paul, Lew Gormley and Jas. Finley, at the point where the trail crossed the railroad about a mile and a quarter east of Elgin station. Arriving there ahead of Wall S party, they found the trail larger than when Finley's party had lief: 1t, and they came to the conclusion that the soliIers were ahead They left a note ,l a monument for MT. NaIl anc went in northeasterly direction to the foot of the Mustang mountains and waite there tIll Walter Vail, ChRs. ProcteT, and Philip Moore arrived. The trail went through the west pass Of the Mus tangs across the valley into the Whe:- stones, in a northeasterly direction, to Mescal springs. At the springs they found Lieut.. Fason with l5 infantry solIIcrs. The Sheriff here noticed the
 
 tn It of the narrow and long, shod hoof, which were the distinguishing feat ures on the trail Lieut.. FRson told them that Capt. Lawton had arrived at Mescal Springs at three o'clock on Sun day afternoon and had left early Mon day morning on tAe trail; and he also informed them that the Indians had killed Mexican wood-ohopper near the springs and had run of some of Walter Nsirs horses.
 The sheriff party wstered their horses and took the trail BgaIn, Mir. Vail re- turning to his ranch. They followed 1t in a northeast direction about four miles, where 1t turned st right angle, going about south, towards the BabscO- mari and crossing that stream about two miles above Land < Hsyes's, or the old MeLowry ranch. They stayed all plight 6t the ranch and at daylight the next morning took the trait again and travelled about 5 miles. The next morning (Thursday) they resumed the trail and went south until they struck the Charleston and Bsbacomari road; then followed down the road about two miles to the forks of the road running about northeast; then along the left fork about half mile and then struck due south on the Charleston road again, til within about two miles of Charles. ton, and from that point up the San Pedro valley. They followed the trail of the soldiers till they came to the place where Capt. LIwton cRmped on Sunday night, five miles above Charleston, and thence on mp the valley to Crystal Springs, where Lawton had left the trall. Captains Woods and Haskell had taken the trail on Sunday morning at Lands ranch on the San Pedro.
 While the sheriffs party were at Lands ranch, Mir. Land and three other men returned from the trail, bringing two of Walter Vairs and two other horses. MT. Land said the h. dians must have passed his place be- tween twelve and two o'clock on Satur- day morning. The sheritfs party went on tp Roberts ranch, three miles from the boundary line. where they found one more Of Nails horses and one of Peter cons horses that was attached to the blackboard when that unfor, mate man was killed. Both were badly used np.
 That was Thursday night, and the troops having passed on Scndey and were so far ahead, the chase was aban- dOned. The indians had recrossel the line and were in Sonora on Saturday, having executed raid similar in shape to horse shoe. Is was conclusively proven that Peterson was murdered bv a party of four Indians, who nl de the trip from the scene of the murder to Lands ranch, a distance of about S5 miles, Tn thirty-six hours, and took with them into Sonora about forty head of horses. There were indications that they were met by other Indians and returned across the line with them.
 The Indians took three of Cameron's horses but abandoned them in the and they are now ct Fair bank. They also killed helfer on the San Rafael ranch and ore east of the San Pedro, between the Mule and the San Jose mountains. The Indians crossed the line into Sonora on the sast side of the San Pedro and tue wes,ein slope of the San Jose noun tRius.
 Mir. Lew. Gormley rendered great as- sistance to the party in furnishing hors- es and in extending his personal servi- ces, and the only regret IS that four h. dian scalps were not brought back us trophies. The trip also demonstrates that the Indians are preparing for a vigorous campaign and are' recruiting : I l.Fl A..