Arizona weekly enterprise., 1890-04-05
DR. THORNE's STORY.
HIS CAPTCRE BY APACHES AND HIS
 FINAL ESCAPE.
His Life Saved by his Professional SkiIl--- Life Among the Indians---Discov- cry of GOld-His Wanderings and the Result off Tis-
 in

Life Among the Indians---Discoy-
 cry of GOld-His Wanderings
 and the Result ofa Tis-
 win Spree.
 The true story of the capture of Dr Thorne by the Apache Indians and his life while held prisoner among them has never appeared in print, and indeed, the interest in his career mong the Indians has heretofore cen. tered solely upon the wonderful discov. cry of gold it was reported that he had made, to the exclusion of the details of the circumstances that led up to it.
 Through the kindness of J. B. Hart, who visited pr. Thorne at his res idence at Casa Blanca three miles above Socorro, New Mexico, in 1881, THE ENTERPRISE is in possession of the story as detailed by the doctor only a year or two before he passed away to his final rest.
 In 1852, Dr. Thorne formed one of a party of seven persons, all Georgians, who left Marysville, California, by the southern overland route, to go to New Orleans. They first proceeded to San Diego and there recruited their stock and placed in good order the ambulance and wagon in which they journeyed for the long, tedious and dangerous trip across the deserts. They reach Yuma without experience ing any adventure or mishap worthy of note and remained a week. They sold their wagon at this place and up on one bright morning in early spring they resumed their pilgrimage with the ambulance and six horses, making easy stages eastward,
 Dr. Thorne had come prepared for sickness and accidents and his medi- cine case and surgical instruments were always convenient and in per feet order and condition. They were well aware of the danger they run in entering the Apache country, but trusted to good luck to escape the vigilance of the hpstiles.
 Their last camp was made at Gila Bend and the following day promised them safety, for they were gradually approaching the friendly Marioopas and Pimas and every mile lessened the chance of attack by the roaming Apaches. It was late in the afternoon and while yet long distance from Maricopa Wells, they were suddenly jumped" by the Indians. It came like a clap of thunder from a clear sky and the surprise was absolute,
 At the first shot the driver dropped the reins and fell forward, dead. The horses became frightened and in turn ing abruptly around, upset the ambul- ance; the front wheels became un. coupled and when pr. Thorne, who was inside the wrecked vehicle, raised his head to look out, he saw some oi the Indians making off with the horses
 The Indians took Dr. Thorne and one of his companions named Brown and started in a northerly direction Of the remaining members of the party he never learned their fate, but believed them to have been killed and it was probably the intention oi the Indians to make their captiyes 8 sacrifice to their love of torture.
 After dark halt was made and both cantives were stripped of theil clothing and forced to march unti near daybreak, when they reached s stream supposed to be the Gila river where they camped in the thick brush securely secreted, during the entire day. They evidently feared discovery by the Maricopas and were not anx ious for battle with such a superior numbers.
 At night they crossed the river apt took an easterly course, travelling two days, when they came to a stream fresh water, ti1l1thczcd with lar li.7.--s,;; s; cottonwoods in grove of which they camped. The Indians here made { big fire and by signal smoke informed the scattered members of the tribe where they were located. Three ol four days later the Indians began tt arrive from all directions with theil squaws and children.
 In the meantime there was an In dian boy in camp with g broken knee cap from Q recent wound, who made a great deal of fuss while a squaw wa. dressing the wound. The Doctor tolC an Indian who spoke the Spanish Ian guage, that he could cure that boy This Indian informed his chief wht sent one of his Captains-who alst spoke Spanish ffuently-to summon the doctor to his presence. The chic questioned the doctor as to his abilit, to cure the wound and was informe, that he could amputate the leg with out causing the boy any pain if he ha, what was lost in the ambulance. Tn chief then arose and talked earnestl, to the Indians about him and in les than an hour every article taken iron the ambulance, even to the brides an, pieces of the reins of the harness wa arrayed in semi-circle before him Dr. Thorne gathered up all his owl effects and found his pocket case am instruments undisturbed. The follow ing day he administered chloroforn to the boy and amputated the injure limb in the most approved manner and, to the surprise and wonde of the Indians gathered about to vii ness the operation, the nervous an troublesome lad never moved mus cle while under the knife. This Tt msrkable feat at once raised the dot tor in the estimation of the Indian to the exalted station of a supernat ural being and old chief Pedro imme diately ordered his followers to dres the doctors feet that were cut an blistered from the long walk owe rocks and rough ground; had hi1 provided with clothing; shade bui of willows close to his own camp fo his own use, and meat cooked for hil /, to eat. The chief even told him tha anything he wanted in the way of foo that he could get for him, to mentio it; that the Indians could not Xii him; that he liked him, and the gave to him a strong Indian be { about twelve years old as servar { and body guard. The boy accompan , ed the doctor from that time on , all his walks about the camp and b yond its limits, but it was soon di covered that he was a spy upon hi
 movements as well as his servant.
 The doctor asked the Indians wh, t had become of his friend Brown, fro | whom he had parted company u 7 l first nipht after their cantlIra and il