Albuquerque daily citizen. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1895-1903, 1900-04-12
MESCALER0 INDIANS.
Rapid Progress Made by them in
the Arts Of Civilization.
RESERVATION TO BE OPENED.

The committee on Indian affairs of
the house OF representatives has IA
vorably reported a Joint resolution.
which provides for the allotment in
severalty OF 100 acres OF land to each of
the 4A Mescalero Apache Indians on
the reservation in Otero county, and
for throwing open the rest OF the reser-
walton to settlement under the federal
land laws. The reservation contains
474,2 4 acres, nearly all Of which is very
valuable for agricultural, grazing and
mining purposes, and after giving the
Indians the 1,O40 acres they will be en-
titled to under this resolution there Will
remain over 400. 200 acres open TO set
Element.
The story Of the Mescalero Apache
Indians il deeply interesting. Within
the memory of many of the pioneer
settlers of New Mexico this tribe num-
bered 1900 and for many years they
terrorized the venturesome settlers and
prospectors Of a vast scope OF country
e%nvironing their reservation. They
were cruel, crafty and vengeful, and
more than ordinarily gifted in h arts
of barbaous border warfare. The
systematic wars they waged for years
against the whites, particularly under
the intrepid Leadership Of uch able
| chiefs as Victoria and Naanana, cost
the lives Of hundreds OF settlers, and
long retarded the development OF the
southwest. Their citadels and places
Of refuge, when pursued by superior
numbers, were In the almoet impene-
trable fastness of the Sacramento. San
Andres and other mountain ranges,
and from these they were long accus-
toned to make raids into the valleys
Of New Mexico, often going into the
Rio Grande valley, and sometimes ex-
tending their murderous and devas-
tating operations into Texas. Finally
most OF them were subdued by the
trained Indian fighters under such gen.
| erals as Hatch and Miles, IND the
remnant OF the fighting men of the
tribe, under chief Naanana, Joined
forces with Geronimo in the a Car
los reservation In Arizona, where they
made their last stand against ths
whites.
The capture of Geronimo and Mama.
ma and the warriors under them by
lHf IbTttS uHutT btDtIdl "lltN
one Of the most thrilling chapters IA
the annals of border warfare, and vir.
tually ended all serious trouble with
Indians In New Mexico. The credit OF
this campaign Is chiefly due to the per.
sonal skill, prowess and untiring en-
ehgy OF the brilliant and lamente,
General Henry w. Lawton, then a cap.
tain in the regular army. who bold,
went into the camp of Geronimo ano
his wearied warriors and demanded
their surrender. Such marvellous sour
age, energy and celebrity In mastering
Indian tactics and overcoming then
against desperate odds. as Lawton dis
played. cowed the greatest n braves
OF all the Apache chiefs, and he sur
rendered.
During the past eighteen years tn
Mescalero Apaches left on the reserva
ton In southeastern New Mexico hav,
been peaceable. and, under the guild
ance of such agents as Maj. W. III. II
Llewellyn and Capt. V. Il. Stottler, the!
have made remarkable progress in cul
tivating the useful arts of civilization
During the years Captain Stottler. on,
OF the most gallant and efficient officer
of the Tenth United States infantry
was detailed as agent OF these Indians
his most difficult task was carrying GU
his iniexible resolution to force tn
Apaches to abandon their blankets an
adopt the costume of civilized mer
but, through the exercise OF a grea
g deal OF patience and some duress, h
G succeeded. A writer recently aid
{ ITO visit the agency now. the trans
n formation from savagery to real indus
try and civilization since 1861 seem
= little less than marvellous. Miles an
. miles OF well cultivated and fence
farms, comfortable log cabins shingle
h and provided with all the comforts ,
y life; fields opulent with grain, and oil
chards laden with fruit, drainage an
y irrigation canals. n well filled grana
ries mark the former haunts of III
h lazy, cruel savages. This year will 81
the disposition Of the last evidence +,
savagery. The women have been force
j. to adopt the nod Of dress approve
by the white women, the tepees hay
e. given away entirely 10 log cabins, ar
In the schools are represented eveI
= growing scion Of the Mescalel
n A~paches."