The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-07-21

Tho Slayer Of tine McComas Family q Guest
Of the Government.

Of the Government.
Washington Special 10 Louisville Times
A band Of Apache Indians have arrived for a
pow-vow with the Interior Department. The
Secretary is DESTROYS Of moving the tribe 70 a
place not so near the Mexican border or the
mountain regions, beyond the reach of Geroni-
me. These savsges are here at government ex-
pense, and treated as guests by the Depart
msnt. They strut up to the White House.
and are received in state. The names
Of this band have been kept carefully concealed
from the newspapers in their journey through
the country. The reason of this is now APP
parent. Chaco, the commander Of one of the
most obnoxious raids that were ever made by
the Apaches, in 1883, was in this band of visitors
1t was he who murdered Captain McComas and
his wife and carried off little Willie McComas.
The tragic history of the McComas family is
yet too fresh in the minds of newspaper readers
70 be wholly forgotten. Captain McComas and
his wife lived near Silver City, in New Mexico.
He was surprised at his ranch by Chaco and his
gang. and was captured before he could make
any defense. Captain McComas, who was one
of the finest men in the Territory, universally
hcnored and respected, was tied
up at the doorpost of his homo
while his wife was fendishy tortured
and outraged in HE presence before the savage
murderers put an end TO his life. After these
devils had tortured this poor woman they
Drained her with a club Both husband and
wife we're scaiped. Little Willie McComas, a.
child eight years of age, was held by
one of this gang of assassins while
fore his eyes, This little lad was
carried off by Chaco, and from that time to this
no trace of the boy has ever been discovered.
There 10 nothing more romantic in the history of
the border tragedies than this hunt for little
Willie McComas. Bands of white men have
ridden day In and day out for months hunting
for this little fellow to recover him from the
hands of his captors. but to no purpose. It's
now believed that he died in some of the hidden
CAMPS of the wandering outlaws
Chaco continued his raid during 1883 until the
season got bad and it was not easy to obtain
food, then ne came back 90 the reservation, made
terms, and was received back as a ward of the
Nation. He never has been tried for his in
famous crimes The Indian agent in charge of
the Apaches reservation has always claimed
that there was evidence sufficient to warrant
the trial of Chaco for this murder. An officer
IN the army is authority for the statement that
plenty of evidence can be obtained to convict if
the authorities cared to make out case.
Chaco called yesterday afternoon at the White
House, accompanied by an interpreter. He is a
man above medium height. with a round, stout,
heavy figure He has a sullen, ugly. large feat
ured face His black hair falls from his round
head into bang in 'front.' and in long, stringy,
horse name mass down the back of his neck and
over his shoulders and is fully q foot and half
an length. He wore q large blue frock
coat trimmed with brass buttons over q waist
coat of buckskin There n string of yellow
beads around his dark neck. His legs were en-
easad by buckskn breeches and beaded. He is
slighty round shouldered. Secretary Lamar is
ignorant of the presence of this red-handed MUIR
derer, but his attention will be called to Chaco's
character. Chaco and his band are boarded at
the Beveridga House Chaco is attached to the
military police in New Mexico, and is here
to translate for the visiting Apache statesmen.