The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-05-17
SOME GOSSIP FROM ARIZONA
Professor Montgomery Talks About In
dians and other Things

Professor Montgomery Talks About In
dians and Other Things
A reporter Of the Eagle interviewed
Professor Montgomery who Is IN the
city on a visit to his family and from
him learned of his experiences in the
famous White noun tains, the retreat
of the most unconquerable band of all
that warlike tribe, the Apaches. He
was at Fort Apache on the San Corlos
reservation but ninety miles from San
Carlos agency, and ninety miles from
Holbrook on the Atlantic and Pacific
railroad, the nearest railroad point.
This school is situated near the north
fork of White river in a narrow valley
about 1900 feet below the crest of the
mountains and $50 feet above the bed
of White River Canon. To get TO this
school, one must hire a wagon and
driver familiar with the trails and load
up his baggage and provisions for three
days and if he succeeds in getting over
the ninety miles in three days he is
fortunate. The highest points on the
range are usually covered with snow
for a day or two whenever the valleys
have rain. The school is a small one
owing to lack of buildings which poor
management on the part OF the agent
is solely responsible.
An abundance of pine timber and
two good sawmills have been available
but still there are no buildings fit for
use and those occupied temporarily are
of the most primitive character. Fifty
six pupils only are in the school while
more than six hundred children of
school age are in the tribe ready for
school
This tribe have neither landed nor
treaty rights and are really prisoners
of war but at the same time are the
most intelligent, industrious. and tract
able pupils ever in mis- schools. The
tribe are very poor and destitute. Not
a single house is numbered among all
their possessions, all dwelling in cam
pos made of cedar boughs.
Despite these drawbacks these Indi-
ans are progressive to a remarkable de-
gree. of far better general character
than of any other tribe. especially in a
moral sense. Lack of chastity il a
girl is rarely or never the case.
The entire fuel supplies, most Of the
forage and a considerable part Of the
beams used at the post and school are
purchased Of the Indians. All manual
labor of the agency is performed by the
which they cultivate in a primitive way.
The climate there is a delightful one,
summer and winter. The altitude be
ing so great the summers are not so
hot as would naturally be expected.
Not over one per cent of the area OF
that section OF the territory is arabic,
hence the impossibiity Of agriculture
ever cuttina much Of a figure. As 10
r-olitical ma tiers the professor had lit
tie to say except that the better ele-
ment Of Arizona people OF both parties
think that Governor Hughes was badly
treated at the hands of the administra-
ton in being 50 Summarily fired from
his Office.
Professor Montgomery visited Santa
Fe. y. NJ. on his way here 10 examine
some chronological specimens ne had
heard Of there and found much TO in
telest him. While in that city ne met
ex-senator z. q. Ross. now secretary
q the board OF immigration OF New
Mexico. Major Ross IS Just complet-
ing his book The Trial and Impeach-
nent Of Andrew Johnson" and Il will
be issued in a short time. This viii be
Of great interest 10 many old settlers
OF Kansas. His residence is near Al
buouerque on the banks OF the Rio
Grande. Though seventy years OF age
Major Ross is active and in good health
There are quite q large number OF p-eo-
PIE at Albuquerque who came from Kan
sas and all are prosperous.
Professor Montgomery Is enthusiast
tic over the discoveries he made in Ar
iona Of Cliff Dwellers houses and prom
ised to give the Eagle an account Of
his work in mat line in the near fu-
ture.
Do ror-dare you TO taunt me with M