Arizona weekly citizen., 1891-01-17

SINCE its construction Fort Lowell has been one of the most important points in Arizona from which offensive and defensive action could be taken against the Indians. One reason, owing to it's location which commands the valley that Is the thoroughfare for the ho5tle Apachee from San Carlos to Sono
 "a, another that it is in full view of. the celebrated Apache haunts of Arizona the Santa Rita, Rincon, Santa Catalina and Dragoon mountains. Three years after Geronimo had been moved out by Ger. Miles the Mescaleros broke from
 the reservation and struck for the Rin- con. By prompt and decisive action from Forts Lowell, Grant and Huach-
 uca. the Indians were surrounded, and forced to york thelr way back to the reservation with damage. Had Fort Lowell bsen abandoned then as it Is proposed 1t shall be now. a serles of bloody mas sacreS e .uid inevitably have resulted Previous Jo this per cd small marauding bands committed depredations within sight of Tucson and brother of Hon w. c. Davis, one of our must influential townsnIen, who had just arrived from the east, and located on a ranch, was murdered within az hours ride of the city. Of late this section of Pima has been filled up with ranchcrs; flour ishing mining camps and homesteaders. Lands that were wilderness under the bonefnl shadow of inc Apache's scalp ing knife and the lurid glare of the burn inn cabin have grown into thrifty farms The security offered by the pre- sence of troops have turned the eyes of hundreds of immigrants hitherward Nearly all the vacant lands in the valley have been taken up within the past three years; mining interests have revived within that time and during the past twelve monti several large sales were made in the vicinity of Tucson. All theee investments and enterprises are tributary to this city. This is the nearest railroad point, and from here the eoPpli~s go .ent in wagon and -hnrro trains. The only protection this section has is Ft. Lowell. If this is removed our interests will suffer incomparable damages not to mention to danger to human life. 1t is not improbable 70 SUD- pose that the Messiah craze which has swept the length and breadth of the land will not have some effect upon the Apa- che, the wiliest, the most cruel and most sagacious of all the Indians and when the spring opens and the grass begins to grow there will be nothing to prevent a successful campaign in the valley. Set tiers here have neither ammunition nor arms sufficient to make successful pur- suit or even defense against their hered- itary foe. Every one familiar with the Apache traits knows that it is necessary to be thoroughly equipped and thoughly acquainted to make even a reasonable show against the quick movements of the Apache renegade.
 If Lowell could be retained even till next fall it would at least afford protec tion to immigrants and new corners now settling.
 When Gen. Miles was here making the most successful campaign against the Apaches ever made in this country, he instituted thorough investigation as to the needs of Arizona-its resources; to- pography; military necessities; stragetic points and everything connected with thorough military knowledge of the subject. He can therefore give a more accurate and reliable review of the sit uation than any other man and the gov ernment would make no mistake in con- sultlng a man of his record and ability before taking the important step of abandoning military post which has protected and fostered the industries of an otherwise deserted country; and which may again be the malnstay of the people should the early dream of Tecum- sch be realized and the tribes from the four winds united in a final fight to death.