Tombstone epitaph., 1890-05-31
GETTING SERIOUS. Indians Making Use of the
 Heliograph. Signal Fires in the Whetstones-More Stock StOlen-Small Force of
 Troops in Pursuit.

Last evening, between nine and ten o'clock, some of our citizens saw fires ia the Whetstone mountains, which, from they were handled, were undoubtedly Indian signal fires, probably to commit nicate with another band in the Chri- cahuas. The fires were on the highest peak of the mountains, and after being allowed to blaze up for short time were suddenly extinguished. It is evident that this is fresh band direct from the reservation, who will make their way into Sonora on the other side of the Huachu- cas, and when across the line join those already there.
 James Price arrived in town last eyen- ing from the eastern part of the county. ca the Friday preceding the killing of Mir. Hardie he slruck the trail ot the band that did the killing, and the trail, instead of leading toward the reservation, was leading away from it and toward Sonora, showing that the murderers were not the band that has been raiding along the border, but fresh lot direct from the reservation. After killing Hardie they stole nine head of horses and coIls from Frank Lesle's old ranch. William Reynolds, who has charge of the ranch, missing the horses, started in search of them, aud found the Indian trail, which he followed for some distance, coming to place where they haa killed colt and roasted it. At this place there were six small fires, and judging from this and the size of lhe trail 1t is presumed that there were at least six Indians in the party. The only part of the colt left was the head and bones, the Indians carrying of the hide and flesh. Follow ing the trail, MT. Reynolds came 10 a place where the Indians had killed and eaten another colt, and also found a mare that had been killed Two of the horses came back to the ranch completely used up, showing that the Indians had travelled rapidly. They abandoned at the ranch an Indian pony, broken down, which is another proof that they were di. rect from the reservation. One day dur ing the week a detachment of troops came to Leslie's ranch and MT. Rey- olds put them on the trail At present there are three bodies of troops camped at different points along the border, but it is not likely they will accomplish any, thing, as tEe number is insufficient. What is needed is at least thousand soldiers and a renewal of the agreement with Mexico to allow the troops of either nation to cross the line at will in pursuit of Indians. It IS only by such method that any hope can be entertained of kill- ing or capturing them.
 It is also reported that Indian tracks have been seen in the Middle pass of the Dragons.
 It IS further reported that the Indians have fathomed the mystery of the hello graph, and with looking glasses are using the stations for their own purposes and to mislead the troops, thus further com plicating matters.
 Taking every hing into consideration, and without in the least wishing to exag- gerate the gravity of the situation, it would appear that we are on the eve of another Indian campaign that promises to he as long, disastrous and costly as the one that resulted in the capture and deportation of Geronimo, and the citi- zens ak that General Miles leave the ease of his headquarters in San Fran cisco and assume personal direction of operations.
 But the only way by which our Indian troubles can ever be permanently settled is by the removal of the Indians on the White Mountain reservation 10 the In- dian Territory Southern Arizona can never rest in security until this is done.