The Clifton clarion., 1886-06-02
iHAMPSON'S RANCH RAID.
 ED BY INDIANS.
CREECU AND MCKINLEY KILL
 ED.
Three Bands or 4nnehes in Vicin- fly of Eagle Creek end the Blue River. Indians Make Use Of
 Eaci< Train.

the name of Shorty, and for some time in tLo employ of Hampson al his ranch on Eagle Creek reach ed Clifton Monday morning with news of Indian depredations. Shorty in company with several other men, it seems, had gone with some stock towards the west of the ranch on the reservation, and meet ing with Indian signs on one of the forks of Eagle Creek had sent one of their number back to warn the ranch, but still pursued their course westward Sunday while near the tanks, they discovered q body of men at some little distance away, and supposing them to be troops, moved forward to inform them of the Indian signs they had seen the day before Nearing the body they discovered that it was composed of thirty-one Indians, having pack train, after the man ner of soldiers. The train was left in charge of squaw mounted on a gray mule, and the bucks gave chase to the cowboys. The latter scattered and made for the ranch, in their flight losing two mules which the Indians captured but otherwise escaping whole.
 The Indians were coming from the direction of Apache and were without doubt band of discharged scouts. Meanwhile, their compan ion, whom they had sent to warn the ranch, fell in with another band of Apaches coming from the direction of Eagle Creek, the night before, but escaped in the darkness and succeeded in reaching the Horse Ranch several miles down the river, where he found one man stationed, and together they re- turned to the Home Ranch on Sun day, which they reached at about the same time that those who were chased by the Apaches on Sunday came scattering in. Near the cor ral they found Tom. Croech, fore man of the ranch, and McGinIey dead, killed by the Indians. Creech and Mckinley, it seems were taken unawares, when just about to commence milking, the Indians. sneaking upon them and shooting them down. After the killing. tao house was rausack- cd, about S75 in money taken, clothing, provisions and one 45 60 Winchester, together with all the ammunition they could find. What provisions they could not tako they scattered about on the ground. Several II Winchesters were left untouched, the Indians, evidently being well armed, con sidering the caliber of these as too small for much service. .After ransacking the house the band moved toward the southwest, camping for the night on Nantag bill, and thence pursuing course toward Thomas. This band, so far as could be learned bore no evidence of having been mounted but from the quantity of articles stolen must have had horses near at hand. The number of Ipdlaus in tue band was unknown.
 Between Eagle Creek and Blue River, Guadaloupe, a Mexican rancher reports having seen thirty Indians, supposed to be a third band, moving easterly, which course would bring them out near Mule Springs.
 On receipt of the news in Clifton body of men composed of Jas. Randall, Wood Dodd, W. R. Nc Cormick, Henry Hill and Vim. Sparks left for Hampson's Ranch carrying provisions for those re- maining there, and ready to per form such service as circumstances may require.
 The same day but shortly pre- vious to the arrival of Shorty, Capt. Norvell with a portion of troop M 10th Cavalry, colored, reached town from his trip up the Blue and Eagle-the vicinity of the killing but knew nothing of the events above narrated, saw no Indians or signs thereof, and in consequence the colored troops fought nobody, but went down to the mouth of the Frisco, and from there probably left for Thomas. 4 courier was sent after them with the information, and an order from General Miles was received to re- turn to Eagle Greek, to stay there and intercept the IndiaEs.
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