Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-09-25

mark Of favor, permitted the reporter to
pinch his legs, which were as hard as iron.
Through an interpreter he spoke freely of
himself and people
"a long while ago." he said, stretching his
right arm toward the West, eve were very
great; now we are hardly so many" and he
opened and closed his hands twice, denoting
twenty. 1.-THE white man wanted our coun-
try, and he first teok away the water that
cured us"-the Warm Springs. put us
on a reservation where there were all rocks
and We could raise no corn. Then he wanted
our land again because it had gold in it. We
saw what would come, and we went out
to fight. This is the end"
"Are you willing to go to Florida p
"We were told it was a good water couu-
try, with trees and grass, and we will all be
together there. Il is good"
The gentle but melancholy Jose then re-
lapsed into silence, and no doubt entered into
contemplation of the reunion he would soon
hold with his other squaws-
A Louisville and Nashville train was
backed alongside the Frisco track, and the
baggage and Indians with the guards trans
ferred by nine o'clock. Coffee was procured
at the depot restaurant and served to the
troops and Apaches, who breakfasted on
regular army fare, while the officers enjoyed
lunch sent from the Southern hotel, after
which the train pulled out for the land of
flowers.
The most noted chiefs on board were
Chevez, an old man now, and Jose, who is
still in his prime. Geronimo and Natchez
went to Florida by the Southern route from
San Antonio, and ChattC and Loco who went
with the Apache delegation to Washington,
and were arrested at Leavenworth, were sent
direct from the Military Penitentiary
Lieut.. Terrell, quartermaster in charge,
was with LAYTON during the entire campaign.
I'VE are glad it is all over" he SAID. sit
was fearful work. In the past six weeks Co
X Of the Sth marched 900 miles over con-
tinuous mountain cha ms, and we are
pretty well worn out. | have a cataract
in my eye. and am going to ask for months
leave to have it operated on. The Indians
voluntarily agreed to go to rejoin the seven
ty-eight previously sent, and We have no
more trouble.
One of the celebrities among the prisoners
Is "Dutchy," who was with Crawford when
the Mexicans murdered him. "Dutchy"
drew bead on the man who fred the fatal
shot, and killed him in turn. The soldiers
of the 9Th, who fought the Apaches, have
great respect for them They say they are
so tireless that they will run 10 or 100 miles
day over and through the mountains with
out water or food for days at a time. The
squaws, carrying the children, and food and
water, make detours with their heavy loads,
and meet the bucks at an appointed place.
The bucks are good marksmen at short dis
lance, but very poor at long range. The
boys and squaws fight as well as the bucks,
and the soldiers express unmixed satisfaction
at the close of Campaign through which
they were compelled to march in understands
and drawers, and undergo untold privations.
There was considerable excitement on the
train after leaving the depot, occasioned by
a stampede among the Indians upon entering
the tunnel. As soon as the train was envel-
oped in darkness the Indians set up series
of hideous yells, and started out of their seats,
the guards restraining them only after Sc
we're struggle, during which two braves are
said To have been dangerously injured.
Whether it was merely fright or an attempt
to break away was not known, and the guards
took no chances. quelling the outbreak
promptly and severely.