Arizona republican., 1895-12-25
THE CIBICU AFFAIR.
LaWless Character of the Blood
 Thirsty Cibicus.

Globe Silver Belt: The actual casu- alities and losses arising from Indian depredations and conflicts between citizens and Indians are less harmful ito the good name and interests of Ari- zona than are the many exaggerated, and outlines false, reports which emanate from press correspondents and, not infrequently from official sources. The propensity of the ire sponsible correspondent to draw the Eong bow is so well understood that his alarming statements are usually dis counted. The case is different, how ever, with dispatches bearing the stamp of official authority, for the pub lie has a right to expect reliable in formation, whereas dispatches from military sources often convey a wrong impression without any intention of being unfair, perhaps.
 Press dispatches of December 12 an nounce the receipt at the war depart ment, Washington, ID. C., and by Ad- jutant General Ward, at Denver, of telegrams sent by the commanding of ficer at Fort Apache, in reference ito the killing of the Indian on Cibicu creek, December 5, which, to say the least, contained many inaccuracies and, by asserting that the man who killed the Indian, and two others of the posse, gave themselves up for trial on the charge of killing the Indian. Leaves the impression that the officers had committed criminal act, which is wholly at variance with the facts.
 1... three companions were sworn officers. bearing a warrant for the arrest of two Indians regularly indicted by the grand jury of Gila county, on the charge of burglary, and their right to enter the reservation and make the arrest can not be questioned. They went to Cibicu peaceably, and explain ed the object of their visit through an interpreter, and, even after the Indians opposed the arrest of the guilty parties the officers attempted to withdraw quietly, without their prisoners, but were prevented by the overt acts of the Indians. Deputy Voris shot the h. dian in self defense, when the latter was in the act of wrestling his gun from him. and not until one of the band fired upon the posse 1t was then only question of self-preservation with the officers, and their escape from a band of forty or fifty murder ous Apaches was miraculous.
 The evidence againt the two Indians flor whom the officers held the warrants is positive. and the burglary is not de- nied. They were caught in the act. with their arms full of plunder. They had left their guns with their horses. and were surprised by Frank Fletcher side in his cabin, who, with six-shoot- CT in hand, compelled them to dis gorge. Had he killed them then and then he would have been justified and any jury would have exonerated him.
 The residents of Pleasant valley and vicinity have been wonderfully for bearing with the Cibicu Indians, who have preyed upon the settlers for years, robbing ranches, in the absence of the occupants, and killing citizens cattle whenever they wanted meat. So fragrant have these depredations grown that the business of stockrais- ing in northern Gila county has been practically ruined. To illustrate how extensive the stealing of cattle by the OiplCu uHuIdHS udS become: when Deputy Benbrook and posse were on their way to Cibicu they struck the fresh trail of fifteen or twenty head of cattle which they followed into the h. dians' camp, and the packer with Lieutenant Fenton's command in- formed Frank Ketchersfde that when they arrived at the Indians camp he saw cattle there of the flying V'' brand, going to show that the Indians have driven the cattle from the vicini- ty of the Vosburg ranch.
 The recent trouble on Cibicu will not be amiss if it serves to bring to an is sue the arrant lawlessness of the White Mountain Apaches.