The argus., 1895-12-26


defile near Canyon creek, twenty
miles from Cibicu, saw signal-fre
short distance from the trail, and
when Benbrook, Ketcherside and
Kyle passed, the embers of the fire
were plainly to be seen. The Indi-
ans who had got ahead of them on
the trail had probably made the fire
to signal John Dazin's band of In
dians, and had gone on to the main
crossing of Canon creek, with the
intention of ambushing the officers.
Suspecting this, Voris left the main
trail and crossed Canon creek lower
down, and his companions under the
guidance OF Ketcherside, took an
old trail that crossed the creek high
er up, and arrived at Ellison's ranch
at o'clock Friday morning.
When the fight commenced at CT
bicu the officers were compelled to
abandon their pack mule which was
carrying their blankets, sixty rounds
of ammunition, provisions and camp
utensils. That any of the men
escaped with their lives seems provi-
Dental, and can be accounted for
only by the approach of nightfall
which lent them its kindly protection.
The officers when they realized
the futility of attempting to take
the two Indians tried to get away
peaceably, intending to go to Fort
Apache and ask the military for as
sistance, but the Indians, bent on
mischief, provoked the fight. The
Indians were the aggressors and the
officers when attacked were in the
discharge of their duty.
The apathy and apparent unwill-
ingness of the military at Apache, on
former occasions, to assist j., civil
officers in the apprehension of In
dian malefactors is sufficient excuse
for Deputy Benbrook not going first
to the post to request a military
escort to aid and protect him in the
discharge of his duty.
1t was in August, 1890, that Sheriff
j. II. Thompson went to Fort Apache
to secure the arrest of Guadalupe
and an other Indian who murdered
young Baker in the Sierra Ancha.
Colonel Hunt, then in command at
Apache, made no effort to arrest the
Indians fer whom the sheriff had
warrants, further than that after two
or three days delay two scouts went
out, as alleged, to get Guadalupe,
but returned without him. A few
days after Guadalupe came in and
on the insistence of Sheriff Thomp-
son was placed in the guard house.
The sheriff then requested an escort
to San Carlos, which Colonel Hunt
refused him, and after remaining
about ten days at Apache the sheriff
took Guadalupe from the guard
house at 3 O'Clock in the morning
and by forced ride of ninety miles
reached San Carlos in safety with
his prisoners.
The White Mountain Apaches, liv-
ing on Cibicu creek, are the most
warlike and trecherous Indians on
the reservation. While ostensibly
under the surveillance of the COM
manding officer at Fort Apache,
practically they are under no re-
straint whatever. They continue in
their prestine savagery, enjoyingtha,
largest liberty, and retaining
hatred of the whites. They Kill
tie and loot ranches when oppdE
nifty offers, and are not ayerse to
taking human life.
These Indians, living forty-six
miles from Fort Apache, cannot be
kept in subsection. They roam at
pleasure, and may be off the reserva-
ton for weeks without the knowl-
edge of the commanding officer at
Apache. They are a continual men
ace to the peace of eastern Arizona
and it is high time that the govern
ment removed them to the Indian
Territory, or elsewhere, where they
could be kept under strict surveil-
lance.
The Phenix Republican says ''Sher-
riff B. r. Royse, of Sedgwick county,
Kansas, arrived at Phenix from So
Morn br; or No, ,zritI him q C. NorG