Evening star., 1900-10-16
Gen. Merriam Speaks a Good Word
fH he Apache.
is GRADUAIF BEING CIVILIZED
Trouble With indians Due to White
u
Aggression.
FIRES IN POST BUILDINGS

General H. c. Merriam, commanding the
department Of the Colorado, comprising the
western territory bordering on the Mexican
frontier. in his annual report to the War
Department has a good word to say for
the Apache Indians and strikes q hard blow
at the cigarette as a destructive agent He
speaks with commendation OF the excellent
progress being made toward civilization by
the Apaches. under the supervision of Capt.
Nicholson Of the 7th Cavalry. THE In
dians within the department" says General
Merriam, have continued at peace and
have made advancement in agriculture and
stock raising under good management, 30
that troops have been actually called out
but three times, viz, from Fort Wingats
in August. Fort Du Chesne in November
and Fort Grant In April. In all of these
cases the difficulty arose between individ-
ual white men and Indians, generally
through cards and whisky. and white men
were the aggressors. No general friction
resulted.
Cards and Whisky.
1.-THE call from Fort Huachuca resulted
also through cards and whisky. between
the cowboys on the American side and
Mexicans. One American was shot near
the line by a Mexican after his arrest, and
threats Of retaliation We're made by the
American cowboys, but the prompt appear
ance Of troops and judicious action by
Captain H. H. Wright, 9th Cavalry. their
commander, prevented further violence. On
March 2, 1900 General Torres of the Mexi-
can army. and in pursuit OF Yaqui Indians.
reported that several parties OF Yaquis were
making toward the American line, appar-
emily intending to cross. The troops at
Huachuca were placed in readiness for In
slant action to apprehend and disarm any
who might cross the line. but no crossing
was made ~. -'-
Another quarrel between small party
of white men and Indians supposed to be
Navajos occurred on November 10, 1899, at
Canon Diablo, Arizona, over dispute about
ownership of horse In which one white
man and two Indians were reported killed
and some wounded on both sides. The
troops at Wingats and Grant were held
ready for instant support of the sheriff. but
he was able to handle the matter without
assistance, no general or tribal animosity
being aroused.
CiviIizinE the Apache.
'Tn my touY ofcinspection I was impress
ed by the excellent progress being made to-
ward civilization by the Apaches. under
the excellent management of Captain W. j..
Nicholson. 7th Cavalry. along the ella river.
with agency at Sam Carlos. 1 found them
largely and successfully engaged In agri-
culture and saw large numbers Of men, as
well as women. at work in the fields-mosr
unusual for Indians. 1 was also told by
railroad officials that they could not employ
better men for railroad labor than those
Apache Indians. In view Of these facts,
and Of the assurance by Captain Nicholson
of the absolute loyalty and efficiency OF his
Indian police, I recommended the with
drawal of all the troops from San Carlos
agency instead Of repairing that post
1 Danger From Fire.
The post building suffered from fire good
deal during the past year, but by the heroic
conduct Of the troops, Gen. Merriam says.
the fires were limited to the buildings where
they originated. In some cases the fire sys-
TENS were reported as Inadequate or iner-
fective, and the question Of their Improve
ment has received due attention.
There are many things to be considered
in this connection" says Gen. Merriam.
such as sufficiency OF water supply the
pressure to be obtained in mains, and
whether BY gravitation or by pumping
plants, etc. The present means have been
provided from time to time-pecemeal and
by different officers-and 1t is not strange
that they are found more or less defective
In the opinions Of still other officers. and
especially In reporting on fires calling for
explanation. In some cases the reports have
omitted to acknowledge the aid so derived
in preventing the spread of the fire to other
buildings. On this subject it should be
noted that old wooden buildings, and espe-
cially implanted shingle roofs, as well as
everything combustible, become practically
as intammable as gunpowder under the
influence Of the hot sun in this semi-desert
region, and 1t is doubtful If with the best
appliances any of the buildings lost could
have been saved
IF the destructive cigarette could be aboi-
ished, with the careless use of matches. 1t
would do more toward safety than the best
fire apparatus. Measures are now In pro-
gress looking to improvements in fire ap-
pliances at Forts DuChesne. Washakie ana
Wingate."
In closing his report Gen. Merriam says
the excellent conduct Of his officers has
been noteworthy and universal, and that his
thanks are especially due to each member
of his personal and departmental staff for
uniform zeal and efficiency in the discharge
of every duty.
DQnDADI " EATAI RIInAIn