The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-08-10
The Murderous Yaqui Indians Are
Terrorizing the Settlers "
in Mexico. '
Pursuers Ambushed in the Hille
and Only One Man Els
capes.
Twcnty-three Lives Lost in an Attack
on the Marauders In Their
Mountain Faatnesses.

uIcAiCOJ aug. lRHuCio
Yarra, a prominent merchant of Hermita, u
small town lying ut tho foot of the noun
tains, about fifty miles northwest of this
city. is here. lie says that the people Of
his section are having much trouble with
the Yaqui indians. This tribe is one of the
fercest in the whole republic and has never
been subjugated. The home Of the Indians
is in the almost inaccessible mountain fast
nesses and they bid defiance to all the
troops that can be sent against them. These
Indians number about 5000 and have been
at war with the whites ever since the Span
iards first came to this country. They are
n large-bodied people and are intensely
warlike, living entirely off Of their neigh
bors. From their mountain home thoy de-
sent into the valleys and leave trail of
blood behind them. 1t is estimated that
within the past five yenrs they have killed
over 400 people and have stolen hundreds
of thousands of dollars worth Of plunder.
They will not stand to fight the troops, but
flee to the mountains, which they have
rendered almost impregnable and there are
lost to their pursuers, who are in constant
fear of an ambush.
Yarra saws that about a month ago q
young lieutenant determined to follow the
savaees and gave chase after they had
made particularly bloody raid. The In
dians killed seven men and carried off four
women when they went back. The alarm
was given and the lieutenant took twenty
men and started in pursuit, being only
three hours behind and travelling light,
while the Indians were encountered with
the captured stock which they were driv-
ing. On arriving at the foothills the troops
proceeded carefully, sending out an ad-
vance guard and watching the cliff closely.
AS they went deeper into the mountains
the trail led directly between two frowning
walls into a canyon, which was 30 narrow
that the light of day scarcely penetrated
it. After consultation it was decided to
send two men to see if there was any ap-
pearance of ambush. These men followed
the trail through the canyon to an open
park, which spread out in the heart of the
monutains. Far out il this opening they
saw the fleeing Indians hurrvlng to
ward a village which nestled in the foot
hills on the other side. The scouts hastened
back and made their report and the lieu
tenant determined to push up and attack
the village.
The whole party went into the canyon,
but had gone only short distance when
one of the soldiers III the rear, ON glancing
up at the frowning walls, saw an Indian
peering over crag He at once gave a
shout of warning and ran back to the
entrance as fast ns he could. The warning
was too late to benefit his companions, for
as soon as the Cry WAS given n mass of rock
came tumbling down into the narrow can
yon and the Indians kept up such pelting
with stones and boulders that not one of
those who were in advance were able 10 get
out. The solitary remnant OF the squad
ran his horse nearly to death and escaped
at the fort and the colonel in command at
once sent detachment of soldiers, 100
strong, with two Gatling guns, to the scene
of the massacre.
Orders were given to recover the bodies
of the ambushed soldiers at all hazards,
and if possible intlict punishment on the
Indians. " hen they arrived at the scene of
slaughter they found that the Indians had
horribly mutilated the dead soldiers, scalp
ing all of them and cutting and slashing
their faces and bodies i'll terrible manner.
The troops began throwing balls from
the Gatlings into the rocks and then made
an advance into the pass. When they had
proceeded quarter of a mile they found
the way blocked with large stones which
had been rolled into the trail. They began
teoring down the barricade but were sub
jected to a CALLING fire from hidden Indians
and lost three more men without being
able to see their enemies or tell where the
shots came from. The captain in charge
saw that he was fighting losing battle and
returned to the fort with the twenty-three
dead men.