The Delta independent., 1898-11-04
Robbed BY Geronimo.

1
October 18th, which will form the foun-
d1tion Of claim for over 80. .OOO against
The United States government, by George
L Blake Of Delta. Colo, and Warren f.
Shedd Of Arkansas City, Kan, as a re-
suit Of Indian depredations during the
years of 1868. This will be one Of tie
largest claims for damages OF its class
preferred from the state in years, and
grows out Of the persistent robbery and
massacre OF whites on the part OF the
Apaches OF which Geronimo afterwards
became chief.
The evidence as given before the county
attorney, in his private capacity as coun-
selor, was signed By Rothwood Blake of
NatuTita, Colo, distant relative OF Geo.
+ Blake. who is one Of the very few men
VITO have Witnessed Apaches, whose DOM
inant trait is shrewdness, in the very act
OF stealing cattle. The depositions were
sent TO Washington last evening. and the
evidence is stated TO be SO conclusive.
that no trouble will be experienced in
having the claim settled.
Many were tie weird blood curdling
hair raising stories 0! the Mescalero
Apaches, told 10 the county officials duI-
ing the course OF the testimony. Messrs.
Shedd and the Blakes have had more e1
citing ''tilts" with the redskins when
they we're upon foraging and distinguishing
jaunts than can be counted ones two
hands They have seen their companions
slain and the vicious Indians pil!aging
the stores OF provisions upon which the
early settlers OF the territory of New
Mexico had TO depend for sus;epance.
They have given merry chase across
plains. over mountains and though ra-
vines They have in vain tried TO ex-
change silks and jewels for white girls
whom the Indians kept for reward. They
have had their lives threatened time and
told to bis face. after the Indian excite,
sent had passed away, that it was the
desire Of the governments troublesome
wards that George Blake return. 90 that
rilaging and hostilities could be renew
Cd Their tales would FIJI book OF rem
fniscences. the greater part OF which has
never been published.
George E. Blake is water com missioner
for district 6l. In the early COS he and
Warren F. Shedd we're the proprietors of
the San Augustine ranch near Las
Cruces, n. NJ. The ranch was situated
twenty three miles from "A trading post
Of which Blake had charge. This post
was at Fort Selden. The ranch was a
large one for those days, and from l.0oO
to 1900 head Of cattle were always on
hand. The partners had a government
contract to furnish beef TO the post at the
rate OF l6 cents q pound. In those days
the Mescalero Apachcs. branch Of the
Apaches Of which Geronimo was at that
time a member, and afterwards chic.
mo, however. according to reports, was
never in the big raids upon the San Aug
uetine ranch. The tribe made frequent
swoops upon the ranch and always got
raids were always at night. Rothwood
Blake was an eye witness 10 one Of these
depredations. hence the materiality OF
hisevidence in the SO 600 claim. Watches
were invariably stationed at San Angus
tine to warn the meu Of attacks, but the
Apaches. too. had one or more OF their
tribe upon the ground at all times. This
they admitted. The pro2rietors suffered
heavily from these raids and very fire.
quently. when upon the trail OF the rob
bere, saw whole herds OF cattle laying
pierced with arrows. At one time the In
dians got away with 5f2 head: at another
time lg5 head and at another li5 head.
In addition to this they got away with
whole car loads of merchandise. guns.
wagons and even women. Between San
Augustine and the post there was deep
rsvine. and in this many members OF the
tribe rendezvoused. From here they made
their devastating swoops.
Upon oue occasion. when 5cohcad had
been taken away at night. the settlers
took after the Indians in hot haste fol.
lowing them by noting the moccasin
tracks. One afternoon TO show the care
taken by the piilagers, the chasing party
vent to aspiring where the Apaches often
stopped for water. Here they waited
with cooked guns. However the crafty
redskins had caught on TO the game and
promptly thwaricd the whites purpose
by going in round about way to another
spring whence they continued their fight.
Thres or four Americans were killed
when the par,ica met. During the diff
fcrent rnils and the cnsuiny tights no