The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-12-05
Father and Daughter Scalped by
the Indians After They Had
Been Shot.
AMBUSHED BY MARAUDERS
Attacked While They Are Travelling
Over a Lonely Trail in the
Mountains.

PHOENIX, ARIz., Dec. Al. H. Mer-
rill, one of Arizona's most prominent
citizens and a Mormon Bishop, and his
daughter were murdered by Apache In
dams near Ash Springs, near Solomon
vile, to-day. But meager details of the
crime have been received, but the runner
who brought the news stated that Merrill
and his daughter were both scalped after
the redskins had shot them down while
travelling on a lonely trail.
Merrill, who resides at Thatcher, about
200 miles from Phoenix, came to Arizona
twenty-five years ago with Stake Presi-
dent Layton. His family founded the
Stake of St. David, in Cochise County. and
aside from this the most influential Nor
mons and citizens OF Mesa City, situated
about twelve miles from here, are MerrilFs
blood relations. Merrill was until recently
Treasurer of Graham County and one of
the most wealthy citizens of the Upper
CHA Valley.
The horrible crime occurred at lonely
spot on the carriage road which runs from
Duncan, n. NJ, small town on the line Of
the New Mexico and Arizona Railroad. 1t
is q dismal place the sombre walls of the
tall bluffs come together, making narrow
defile much like the walls of a
grave, between the upper edges of
which can be seen the blasted
ash tree which marks the location of Ash
Spring, the only fresh water within a
radius of fifty miles. 1t is directly Oh the
trail pursued by the old Spanish explorers
when coming up from Mexico on their
70 SoI Tal- o,oA tho DC
that taken by General Crook when
he chased Geronimo to Mexico. The
trail comes down the backbone of the
ella Mountains from Morenci Ariz.. and
in late years has been infested by the
Apache Kid, for whose capture there is a
standing reward of $1,000. This particular
spot has been the scene of many murders,
and it was quite near here that with the
exception of babe, an entire family was
murdered by Apaches three years ago.
The babe was found after the massacre,
and Is living in Solomonville now as the
adopted child of S. S. Green.
Miss Merrill was a beautiful and talented
young woman, being the acknowledged
belle of the Upper ella Valley, and was to
have been married at an early date. Mr..
MeTTll leaves WluOW anu FAMILY, OUT his
fortune will secure them from want.
1t is claimed that this murder is result
of the recent abandonment of the military
posts in Arizona and New Mexico. About
two years ago two troops in each cavalry
regiment and two companies in each in
fantry regiment were consolidated and
Indians enlisted in their stead. These
Indian troops and companies were mus
tered out few months ago, the efforts to
make civilized soldiers of them having
failed.
The results of this mastering out is that
they have been unable to resume their
original habits, and, having been turned
loose upon the reservation, constitute the
most restless proportion of the various
tribes, thus adding much to the turbulent
element. The power to control them has
been practically lost through the abandon
ment of the military posts throughout the
worst Indian section of Arizona.