Arizona daily citizen., 1901-08-20
Old Fort Lowell
Described by Visitor.


Tucson for couple Of weeks last spring,
has been writing about this neighbor-
hood in the Washington Post.
Regarding Fort Lowell Miss Mating
ly writes in the Post OF August IL:
"The stirring scenes OF Fort Lowell
gave way to quiet that made useless
the presence Of 90 large band OF Indian
fighters. Troop after troop was with
drawn, until In 1891 only small de-
tachment was left there to protect Gov
ernment property. In 1896 it was de-
cided bv the War Department to aban-
don the fort entirely, and the historic
old post was announced for SALE.
"Although it was almost without pre-
cedent for Q United States fort TO be sold.
there we're few bidders at the public auc.
tioD. The avesasss n,anss, 'IIee ~ -"",~ss.sn
void OF sentiment In these matters. In
purchasing property they choose that
which possesses either health or agricul-
tural inducements. Fort Lowell Was rich
in both, but had The disadvantage OF be.
ing seven miles from the nearest settle
ment, and at that time was neither high.
! iy cultivated nor freely irrigated. The
| fifty houses were weil-nigh ruins. The
commissary and officers quarters alone
were intact. The furnishings were sold
separately, and brought high price. but
| when the auctioneer started the old fort
the bidders glanced warily at the lone
some looking old houses. the vacant, un-
keptcorrals, the silent old parade ground,
a walled-in deserted village. and as they
thought OF the long, hot road across the
desert to the nearest town, the specula-
tors could find no profit In such an in
vestment. But there vas one in the
crowd. Edward Page Grindell, a young
Fastener, who had sought Arizona for
its wonderful health-giyipg climate, who
resolved to be the owner OF the fort.
"lIe procured it for mere song, and
Rlorying in his possession, Immediately
took steps to preserve the ruins OF the
old Indian war fortification as nearly in-
tact as possible. OF the fssy.two houses
about forty had been stripped Of their
woodwork and furnishings, leaving only
the crumbling adobe walls standing. Mr..
Grindeil had these repaired. Today thcy
present beautiful picture OF the roman
tic mud forts in which cur brave boys.
under the solitary waving of the Stars
and Stripes. met the fierce attacks OF
bleodthirsty foes,
The commanding officers quarters Mr..
GrindeiI converted into his residence,
and some OF the other buildings are used
by his workmen. From the old iagpole
above the main building floats the Stars
aud Stripes. There is fitting scnti-
ment expressed in it always being at
half-mast, which is necessitated by the
absence OF the upper part OF the old
staff. The severed pole, which since il
was snapped in terrific storm few
years ago has leaned against the sunny
side Of the old fort, bears the names OF
many veterans and noted tourists who
hare passed that way.
Although without the old post, save
for the luxuriant garden presents pie
ture Of loneliness and desertion. the Sell
kirk OF this fort has converted the in.
terror OF his unique home into veritable
mansion.
The strangest, most weird ornament
OF this room is a human scalp. Whose2
Mr.. Grindell cannot tell you. 1t was
once trophy OF war, and for this reason
alone he procured it 10 add TO his collcc-
tion. But it 10 OF great value in two res
pects. AS a rare acquisition to gath
ering of war trophies-and as guard
over HE property. resulting in all super
stitious people steering clear OF his fort
after dark. Weird stories are told OF
strange noises and ghostlike appearances
coming from the old ruins. Sometimes
it is said 10 be the midnight call OF "Ail
is well" and again cry OF alarm. Then
once more Il is the muffied roll Of the
drum and the mournful sound of taps
over the grave OF hero, and some there
are who aver that out on the desert trail
dead warriors and slain braves marshal
again to repeat their bloody struggle.
Fort Lowell Is 3,400 feet above level
of the sea. Owing TO its dry rarified air,
and beautiful surrounding since irriga-
tion has improved that part of the
country, Mr., Grindell has had many
opportunities to cell his fort. But
wealth does not tempt him to relinquish
his proud distinction OF being one of the
lew men OF the world to hold fort OF
his own.
Deserted Fort Lowell does not always
present an aspect OF solemn solitude.
Nowhere else in the world it 10 brighter
than in Arizona. Mr.. Grindell invites
his friends for miles around to come to
his fort. Then, with some of the mat
rons Of Tucson are chaperons, the old
post again becomes the scene of royal
hospitality and gay festivities. There
is dearth OF bright uniforms. clanking
swords, and tinkling squire that once
were in rhythm with the military music,
but even in those stirring times the
"White Mans Stronghold" did not COW
or prettier women or braver men than