Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1899-04-26
APACHE FARMERS
Indians Who Are Self-Supporting
and Making a Success Of Agricul-
ture and Fruit Growing.
CHANGES ACCOMPLISHED
Educational and Industrial Systems Have
Taught the Indians on the Fertile
Lands Of the Mescalero Reserva-
ton How to Live.

Alamogordo. N. M, April 25.-The re-
cent editorial in the New Mexican rela-
tive to giving Captain Stottler, U. s. A.,
charge of a civilization commission
in the Philippines has been tavorably
commented upon by citizens of Otero
county, and the impression prevails that
the captain is entitled to all praise pos
sible for his grand work of civilization
and education on the Mescalero Indian
agency.
Under the efficient charge of DR..
Walter Mem. Luttrell, who is carrying
out the plan originated by Captain Stot-
tier, and constantly inaugurating inno-
~vations for the benefit of the Indians, a
state of education and progress is being
brought about that is little less than
marvellous. Only a few years ago, COM
paratively, the Mescalero Apaches were
a source of terror to the whole south
west and their deeds of merciless butch
cry and fiendish cruelty ven now
those who remember, to shudder.
For years the Apaches '%'hoodooed, and
~''butfaloed" the agents who were en-
trusted with their welfare. They
wheedled, begged, demanded and threa-
tened and the agents gave freely of the
government stores as a means of paciti-
cation. The policy of the former agents
was very similar.to that adopted by the
Spanish governors in pacifying the
| r,ho,, xovox,;nnon +hot of hr;hoc M
offerings, etc. As an evidence of this,
the government reports show that the
agents were constantly asking for ad-
ditional appropriations for farming i'm
Elements, supplies, ETC., and one item
particularly insisted upon was an appro-
priation for building a council hall
where the Indians chiefs could meet and
discuss matters of import with the
agents and smoke the pipe of peace.
The farming implements were invariably
sold in Las Cruces, or thrown away as
soon as their owners left the sight of the
agency. They had too much of a ''snap'
to work. There must be something Of
the politician in the Indian nature, for
the chief soon ascertained that the
strength of their following determined
their ability to secure supplies. The
chiefs with small following begged the
rations; those with large following de-
manded, and the agent occupied a posi-
ton similar to that of a governor, with
a horde Of hungry politicians buzzing
around the ''pie counter"
To say that the Indians were a source
of annoyance to the agents is expressing
it mildly. A former agent, who will
probably read this article, can testify
to the truth of the above statement,
for at one time he nearly kicked the
side of the house out in his efforts to
reach a dark place in the chimney
where the Indians could not find him,
when the agency was besieged. And
this man is noted for bravery, having
repeatedly faced death on battle fields
and given unexampled exhibitions of
heroism and valor in places too hot for
an ordinary salamander. At a later
period Major Llewellyn, agent, was
shot through the arm and nearly
killed, but the courageous old lion
turned OIL his assailants and utterly
routed them.
DOWNFALL OF II BUCKS.
The Apache downfall dates from the
time Captain Stottler took charge of the
agency. Nautzila, a first lieutenant of
Victoria. came to the agency and
asked for supplies. He was the most
powerful chief in the tribe and objected
to the new order of things proposed by
Stottler, which required honest labor
to warrant the enjoyment of govern
ment benefits. Nautzila begged and
expostulated, but to no avail. Finally
he demanded and threatened. Then
the doughty young captain had him
taken by the scruff of the neck and
slack of the trousers, hustled out of the
office and kicked down the steps.
Nautzila's assortment of fine paints and
eagle feathers was somewhat disar-
ranged and his following Immediately
dropped to two relatives. Now the
chief is one Of the most Industrious and
prosperous old farmers on the agency.
The Indians were finally compelled to
cut their hair, wear the dress of civil
lied whites and give up the tepees for
comfortable log cabins. This year the
Improvements will include the Indian
women and they will be forced to sur.
render blankets for the Mother Hub
bard or calico dress Of the white woman.
With the last OF the customs of the
Apache goes the most picturesque char
acter of the southwest. They are no
longer Indians, but Americans, in all
that the term implies.
The New Mexican representative was
accorded the most courteous treat
ment by DR.. Luttrell and permitted to
inspect the agency at will. The doctor
is an affable gentleman, we'll versed in
the ways of the world, and an admirable
host. He occupies the position Of agent,
physician and surgeon, postmaster and
superintendent of schools. Truly q man
Of remarkable versatility and thoroughly
efficient to perform all Of the duties. He
is a deep student, good disciplinarian
and, although rigidly enforcing the
duties prescribed for the maintenance
of order and correction, possesses a kind
ly heart and sunny disposition.
A system which strikes the visitor as
comical is that of naming the Indian
children when they enter school, for
prominent Americans. For instance,
the visitor Is liable to be introduced to
such well known people as John H.
Riley, James j. Dolan, Max. Frost,
Catherine Shepherd, etc. It is consid-
cred quite an honor to have namesakes
on the agency.
When the Indian has once been ''brok-
en- In the harness" to hard work, he is a