Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1885-1890, 1885-10-31
THE INDIAN QUESTION.
o hi TRIBUNE.

Ao-
to the protection afforded them, and go
in pursuit Of booty and plumber and re-
turn without let or llindrance. The facll-
tiles afforded by the boundary line be-
tween the United States and Mexico Is
very advantageous to the Apachcs in all
their depredations as to entry and exit.
With few, if any, exceptions, the efforts
made to overcome the Apache indians
have been of q spasmodic nature, and
consequently most futile. When they
reached the mountain Businesses and dis
appeared for a while thsy were reported
as subdued; subdued to emerge again on
the unprotected settlers, infiicting bar
barous and merciless tortures, ending in
the prolonged agonies of death. The
remedy-the only true, safe and efficient
remedy for the Apaches will bs exrermin-
alton. The tribe of Indians, Oh conglom-
accustomed to having their way, in a
large field, killing and robbing with i'm
punity, that any attempt to prevent them
now is a deprivation Of right. Its a poor
commentary on the greatest country and
strongest government in the entire world,
that at the present day, and with the aid
| of railroads, two or three hundred ma
rauding ~vagahonds can render life and
property unsafe in a large section of our
| common country II be a permanent
menace to travel, commerce and inter
course with our citizens. There is a ray
of light, however, in the distance, in the
concentration Of military posts, abandon
ing those that are useless and placing the
troops where they can be OF use to the
public service. Were it to take 5000 sol
diers for one year to make peace perma-
nent in Arizona aud ensure full and am
pie protection to life and property along
its boundaries, the work ought to be done,
and done effectually. The adoption OF
such a measure would effect a large say
ing in life and property and inspire conf
dence in the general public and material
" aid in the development OF the many
resources of that Territory. 1t would at
the same time guarantee la" and order,
and afford free travel on the public roads
and highways of that country. It would
also in a great measure Danish from the
minds of the people the suhterfuges and
wretched make-shifts Incidental to giving
adequate protection to every citizen in
RH }Ef2 nsa sn4 ngopp Us Nr4t221 tdhHiRGfu f fnhSn tie 1I n
twenty years.
Gov. Stafford, Of Arizona, was a man
we'll qualified forthe position; active and
Industrious, full Of energy and zeal, he at
all times availed himself of all the power
and privilege vested in him to protect the
citizens in every right. Arms and ammu-
nitions We're supplied in abundance to the
ranchmen and residents of the Territory
to place them in a position to defend
themselves as best they could. The life
dread of expectant danger. Those living
in remote sections applied TO General
Crooke for protection, which was given
in every instance, where any soldiers
could be spared for any length of time.
The writer being at the time in the L. S.
army, was detailed with a few others to
Gardaer's Ranch, in the Sonita valley,
some twenty miles or so from the Mexi-
can line. This fruitful valley was the
favored place for pillage and plumber.
Every week the Apaches came down on
old Tom Gardner, shooting his men while
blowing or at other work, and running
off his stock. On several occasions the
entire band came within u few miles of
old Camp Crittenden. There was II
company-F, Fifth cavalry-stationed
there, and these gallant fellows won for
themselves well-merited praise wherever
duty called them. The horses were hob
bled in front Of the post, aad it became
kind of risky for anyone to venture be-
You'd its limits. While on detached duty
at Gardeners Ranch the Indians in force
showed up near the post, running off the
stock of the post trader. A Mexican
rushed wildly to the commanding officer,
Lieut.. VIM. P. Hall, one Of the most fear
less and plucky officers that ever came
from old Virginia. As a matter of course
when the soldiers arrived the Indians fell
back to the security afforded by the
mountains, except in case they found
themselves superior in force and sut1ici-
ent to become the assailants, disappear
ing for a time to appear at some place
wholly unexpected. On such occasions
the ranchers found eternal vigilance" to
mean life and liberty and the command
ing officer duly notified outposts of the
being out III force, we all knew
what that meant. On Il occasion six
mounted men came to Gardeners Ranch
to notify us that the dreaded enemy was
abroad. Having remained some time,
started for the post, receiving from
old Tom the most impressive caution to
keep a sharp lookout when near Castle
Blanca, an old and long abandoned adobe
structure, but which in early days stood
many a seige from proving bands of
1t was in vain to make further
effort to prevail on the boys of the well
Known Fifth. Boots and saddles, and
hey were off. It was their last ride.
When nearing Castle Blanca they were
attacked by a strong force of Indians who
we're in ambush entirely out of sight and
protected BY q ditch formed BY the heavy