The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1889-05-23
a Battle with Brigands.

TUCSON, ARIZONA, May 12.-Major j.
W. Wham, q. s. Paymaster, accompanied
by his clerk W. T. Gibbon, left here last
Wednesday on trip to pay troops sta
toned at Fort Bowie, Grant, Thomas,
San Carlos and Apache. They went by
rail to Wilcox and from that point, by
ambulance overland. The funds paid
troops in this department are in coin on
account of the scarity of greenbacks.
The funds for this pay.trip were sent
from Los Angeles, the headquarters of
the chief paymaster, by express to Will
cox. The amount was about $4,000.
twas put strong wood box, banded
with iron. This was strapped to the him
der boot OF the ambulance, which carried
the paymaster and his clerk. An escort
often soldiers in charge of two non
commissioned officers accompanied the
outfit.
The guard ride in large, open, four
seat wagon, three on q sest, so in the
case of attack they can form line and
FIRE from the wagon, on the front and on
the rear. The escort carry large sup.
ply Of ammunition, and are generally
picked soldiers. They follow in reas of
ambulance about one hundred and fifty
yards. In canyons and rough country
they follow close up to its wheels, so as
to be ready for action at moments
notice.
The paymaster disbursed at Fort Bowie
Thursday and Fort Grant Friday, which
reduced his treasury to $4,000. he left
Fort Grant Saturday morning for Fort
Thomas, where be expected to pay off
during the afternoon. He had an escort
;of ten colored soldiers in command of
two colored non. commissioned officers.
The distance from Grant to Thomas is
forty.fve miles, through a mountainous
and uninhab;ted country. Cedar Springs
Station is about midway, and is nude
historic from the fact of being once an
Apache stronghold. It vas ahere that
the teamsterss Of Samaniego made the
desperate fight in 1883, when not man
survived. "a large number Of Indians
were killed and wounded at that time.
The Apaches bad built rude, strong
fort or breastWorks, and from behind this
position they did their deadly work.
Il was at this poiut, three miles north
sof Cedar Springs, in a deep narrow
gorge, that Major: Wham was yesterday
attacked.
AS the party approached the point they
found the road obstrueted by several
large rocks. Several Of the escort got
out their wagons, leaving their guns
behind them, and proceeded to remove
the rocks from the road. As the gather.
Cd around a huge 5owlder 8 CALLING fire
came pouring down from the cliffs and
breastworks At the first fire several of
them fell. The others rushed back for
their guns and the battle began. Major
s1Yham's driver was wounded early in the
fight and craWled away into the bushes.
During the fight eight Of the escorts
were wounded, four of them fatally.
The shooting Waa at short range. Clerk
:Gibbon received several bullet holes
through his clothing. Major Wham was.
untouched, although the ambulance was
riddled with bullet holes. Tho battle
continued for half an hour before Major
Wham yielded, !, but seeing that the rob.
beers were completely protected, and it.
meant certain death to his entire party,
he was forced to yield to their. demands.
The box of coin was taken containing
jjss29, 900. AS the telegraph lire from
Thomas to Wilcox is under the control
.ofthe military authorities, they refuse
to.allow the full details of the fight to be
sent Quito the public. a special from
Port Grant says the wounded driver Of
iMgor " ham was found last evening by
d. D. Norton, who heard the firing at a
distance of nearly two miles and went to
ascertain its cause. He brought in tie
driver and sent courier to this place for
troops, who were at once sent out in all
directions to intercept the robbers if fpos.,
sibIe. From the best tadvices it appears
that they. have gone in:the direction .of
New Mexico, up the Gila Valley. Lieuten.
ant W. ilson has taken to the field with q.
large body Of Apache Indians. Troops
have also been sent out from Fort Thom.
as, San Carlos, Bowie, sHuachuca, Fort
Lowell and Tucson to cutoff the escape
ofthe robbers to Mexico. United States
Marshal w. z. Meade, with q posse, has
also taken the field.
A troop: Of cavalry from Fort Grant
has gone to the place Of the robbery to,
pursue the gang and company Of in.
fautry will picket Graham mountains.
It's thought that the robbers were
led by two old offenders, recently par.
doned from the penitentiary, who are
the most desperate men oftheir kind in
the Southwest. There will be desperate
fighting before they be retaken. This is
the frat time in the history of Arizona
that q paymaster of the army has been
molested by highwaymen.
A Hint TO Ushers.
People will never learn, in this pro-
bationary state, how to take their seats
in church. Ifa woman weighs two hun.
dred and odd pounds and has lap about
three inches long, she is going to wedge
herself on the end of the pew SO that
others who come have to press around