Wichita eagle., 1888-07-25
THE DREADED APACHE.
REASONS WHY THE MEXICAN FEARS
THE Willy SAVAGE

Cavafry-Pr:soners Released by Panic
Stricken Guards.
1t was at the close of recent Indian dis
turbance that we first made visit to the
scene of war between the governments troops
and the much dreaded Apache Our first
view of these savages YVES, therefore, OF
double importance Since the construction
of the railway through this interesting terri
tory they are to be seen in numbers by the
casual passenger ON the trains. Though
years have elapsed since the roads construc
ton, its working Is still a novelty to them.
: Their curiosity seems still unsated, and with
heir friends who may be visiting them from
remote quarters they view tbs draw bridge
at Yuma, explain how it swings, how the
trains areswitched from one track to another,
etc. During our stay here we had abundant
opportunity for observation and rejection
UPON the operation and traits Of character of
the several tribes that infest these regions,
and we finally came 70 real.zs that our rude
impression, founded upon the works OF Feni-
more Cooper and others, mast he consider
ably modified.
OUR ETDIAT POLICY.
The deplorGble inadequacy Of our SO called
ages can Do better conlprehended from the
fact that millions of dollars have been ex-
pended by the scge-nuicirs since the acquisi
ton Of California in its efforts to reduce tho
Apaches and Ncvnjoes who occupied the I'm
mense highway fer overland migration from
the east to the west, and to-day possibly we
are as Ear from success as we were some forty
years ago
The more ignorant classes Of Mexican set
tiers we found were pervaded with q most
AFFECT dread and horror of the Apache. "a
earlier years, and in some instances at the
present time, children from their earliest in
fancy are brought up to regard the Apache
as some terrible ogre, against whom, even
With odds in their favor, 1t would be folly to
combat
A well known major OF O certain Califor-
MIA volunteer cavalry, operating in Arizona
some years ago, relates an instance in point
which goes to show the terror With which
these people are stricken upon the knowledge
of q near approach Of the dreaded Apache
The major was dispatched with two others
to discover a frontier town and ascertain
whether it could be reached with wagons
After a ride Of some length they reached the
town, but could perceive no Inhabitants
about the houses on the plain. Raising their
eyes to the hill, however, they beheld the
entire population Of some 600 souls huddled
together in evident alarm. They had taken
them for Apaches and fed in dismay to the
protection of the preside, which was held by
400 soldiers
Another and still more striking incident
may be called here to show how completely
the Apaches have control over the MeIicans
on the frontier. At one time five Apache
prisoners-two warriors and three women
were brought into town under strong guard
of soldiers. and lodged In Jail to await their
ultimate destination. Night came on e1-
ceedingly dark and stormy, and the rain de-
scended in torrents Peal after peal of
thunder shook the adobean walls Of the an
Gent village, and vivid finishes Of lightning
struck terror to the hearts Of its inhabitants.
The Mexican guards over the prison left their
posts Of duty and retired within, where they
could smoke their cigarritos and escape the
fury of the tempest The doors were firmly
secured, and preparations made to pass the
watch as comfortably as circumstances would
permit.
PANIC STRICKEN GUARDS
"About ulidnia ht, P" said the narrator, "cer-
tain peculiar noises were heard about the
prison, and were repeated with an emphasis
that compelled attention. 1nstinctively tho
guard knew that these noises proceeded from
Apaches who were in quest of their incar-
cerated friends, and the fact was quickly
made apparent by the prisoners, who COM
nenced a chant IL their native tongue loud
enough to DO heard outside. Hero was O
dilemma The Indians were undoubtedly
watching the door with intense interest, and
none dared go forth in that in1penetrable
gloom to face the savage foe. The force Of the
enemy Was unknown The citizens could not
be relied upon for aid; no one would come
to their aesistance if attacked They only
numbered eight men and sergeant and
were panic stricken Perceiving this state
of affairs, the Apache prisoners boldly ad-
vanced and demanded to DO let out, at the
same time giving fearful yeils to apprise
friends Of their designs, which were seconded
by repeated strokes with heavy stones upon
the door. In its ovcrpowering terror the
guard mustered its whole strength, opened
the door slightly, and permitted it's savage
charge to 20 scot free OF course they were
never seen more.
Nor Is the Mexican's dread Of the Indian
In any measure without cause. The on
slaught upon their people is simply appalling.
The Apache is brought up to regard the
Mexican as his natural enemy, and TO rob
and Kill such enemy is an honorable achieve
ment. His feelings are early emb:ttered
against all the civilized race. He Is taught
that the chief excellence of man is to outwit
his fellows; that the highest honors are due
the greatest rascal.
Again, the Apache Of today is not the
Apache of three-quarters OF century ago.
That he has learned nothing from experiences
is biped brute, without judgment, skill,
strategy or refection-is where many err in
their conception of Apache character. On
the contrary, he possesses ell Of these in an
eminent degree. He has also adopted our i'm
proved weapons, besides retaining that silent,
death DISABLING engine Of his ancestor, the bow
and arrv~ Though seldom given credit for
it, they fnow what Is right and proper a
well as taeir pale face brother. In all their
talks with our military officers they urge
justice md propriety, and profess to be
guided by those virtues Nevertheless, to
rob and not be robbed, to xiii and not b
killed, to take captive and not be captured,
form the sum and substance Of their eauca-
ton and life ambition The Apache who
can perform these acts with the greatest Sue
cess is the greatest man in the tribe. In fna
to be prominent Apache Is to be promi-
nent scoundrel-Yuua Cor. San Frzncsco
Chronicle