Arizona weekly enterprise., 1890-07-12
NUMBER 15
HOLD THE FORT.
HOLD THE FORT. FORT THOMAS TO BE DiSMANTLED AND ABANDONED. Some of the Reasons Why it Should be Maintained---A Point of Advan- tage in the Control of
 Apaches.

The propriety of abandoning Fort Thomas as military post, we are informed, is questioned by officers familiar with the necessity of its maintenance for the pur- pose for which 1t was built The situ- ton, on the verge of the San Carlos reser- vation, where are congregated several thousand Indians, is an admirable loea- ton. The reason assigned for removal of the troops now occupying 1t, that 1t IS unhealthy, is not borne out by the official reports of deaths.
 The proposition now IS to use 1t as place for the instruction of Indian chil- dren. If unhealthy 1t should be entire ly abandoned. The water is pure and cool, and the alleged miasmatic influence arising from the waters of the Gila, If true, applies with equal force to the San Carlos agency, also located on the mar gin of that stream, and to where part of Fort Thomas Is to be removed. Had the secretary of war had a personal knowledge of Fort Thomas and its sur roundings, we credit him wsth too much sense to have issued the order withdraw ing the troops, thus giving the Indians free access to the Graham mountains and the San Simon valley and affording them the opportunity of murdering set tiers on their way to Sonora Globe Belt
 The above from the pen of one of the best posted men on Indian affairs in the territory, only voices the expressed belief of the entire people of this section of Ari- zona. Fort Thomas is by far more i'm portant point for the military than either Forts Grant or Lowell. It lies right in the path of Indians leaving the reser- vation for Sonora. With Fort Thomas abandoned there will be nothing to pre- vent Apaches from leaving the reserva- tion, satiating their murderous desires on the unprote cted people of the Gila valley, stealing what stock they require, and then taking to the Graham moun- tains reach Sonora by their old travelled trails before the news of their atrocities could be carried to Fort Grant or San Carlos, and soldiers put on their trail. Grant Is located on the other side of the Graham mountains from San Carlos, and Indians leaving the reservation at point near where Fort Thomas Is now maintain ed could depredate upon and terroriZe the farmers and ranchmen of that vicinity. and be in Sonora before they could be oVertaken by Fort Grant troops. even if they had an even start with the abscond- ing hostiles. The presence of troops at Fort Thomas deters the Indians from for aging south, for the news of their pres ence would reach that post within a few hours at farthest, after they left the res ervation, and they would be speedily overtaken, returned and punished for their crime This they know and fear. The last murder on the reservation was the killing of freighter Herbert in March last. This occurred on the southern DOT tion of the reservation about six miles 5v,fr that in that vicinity some of the most dangerous and treacherous of the tribe make their headquarters. Troops from Fort Thomas were after them in very short time after the killing, being after wards joined by troops and scouts from San Carlos. These Indians were run down, two killed and three captured, who but for the early pursuit by Thomas troops might to-day be with the Kid and his band in Sonora. People in the up- per Gila valley and in the San Simon val ley will be without protection if the troops are removed from Fort Thomas President Harrisons late order to the War Department was that the settlers in Arizona should be protected from the In l dians. How can this be done if troops are to be taken from the very places where they are most needed for that pur- 1 pOS6! AS bO ll10 C1d1in llldl lQ6 lOCdIlOn is an unhealthy one, there Is nothing in it. It is more desirable in point of eli mate than either San Carlos or Fort Low ell Of course it is not as pleasant summer resort as Grant, Bowie or Hua- chuca, but it is much more important as place where soldiers should be station ed for the protection of the lives and property of Arizonians. It Is a matter of no pecuniary gain to Graham county to have the soldiers retained at Fort Thom- as, as a large per cent of the criminal cost paid here every year arises in that vicinity from the crimes of either the soldiers or those who are drawn there by the presence of the boys in blue. It is true the post furnishes a good business for several saloons and consumes part of our agricultural products, but the profits on it would hardly settle the criminal cost bills originating at Thomas, but we consider this post necessary evil, and one that we hope to be permitted to en- dure as long as Apaches eat government beef on the White Mountain and San Carlos Indian Solomonville | Ru1laiiD