The copper era. (Clifton, Graham County, Ariz.) 1899-1911, 1902-02-20

OLD TIME SKETCH
IGIIIIIIIIIr

Charles T. Cornell, who was post trad
er at San Carlos at that time:
"On the morning OF April 10, 1882
on the San Carlos Indian reservation
in Arizona, Captain Sterling. chief OF
scouts, rode to his death in the pass al
the point where the San Carlos river
empties into the ella.
"At this time the Apaches belong.
Jag to Chief Loco's band were camped
just above the mouth OF the river and
about mile from the agency. Chief
Juh, with l05 warriors. was in Sonora,
having left the reservation previously
and with him was Geronimo. Geron-
imo had not at this time the powerful in
fluence with his tribe that he after
ward attained, being a subchief. 1t
was after the drowning of Juh, in
/ Sonora that he assumed command OF
/ the band of Apaches that created SO
much trouble in Arizona and Sonora,
and left trail of blood across the ter
ritories OF Arizona and New Mexico.
"Juh had sent woru to Chief Loco
| that he had his band of 10 warriors,
women and children, should leave the
/ reservation and join them in Mexico
or he and his braves would come after
them. Chef Loco aud his band were
under the surveillance of the chief of
scouts, composed of Tontoc, Apache
Mojaves, Apacha Yumas and San Car
los or Pinal Indians, who were sworn
enemies to the Chiricahua Apaches.
Loco and his band were seemingly
content on the reservation and did not
heed the advice of Juh.
Between Fort Thomas and San Car
los, about eighteen miles sOutherly
from San Carlos, was located what
was known as the sub-agency. At this
point was stationed a telegraph oper-
ator. About midnight OF April 18th
an Indian scout awakened him and
told him that Il band of hostile Indians
were on their way to San Carlos. He
tried to make connection with San
Carlos, but failed, and upon investiga-
ton found that the wire had been cut
about 1000 yards from his Office, but
paired the line and tried again to get
San Carlos. Click. click, click went
the wire, but there was no answer,
though in desperation he called for
many a long hour. Stumpy Hunter,
the San Carlos operator, was asleep,
but very close to his instrument.
Finally about daylight he awoke, the
faithful operator at the sub-agency
not having given up. As soon as Hun
ter heard the emergency call he rush
ed to his instrument and received the
Information that 100 hostile Indians
under Chief Juh were on the road to
San Carlos. He Immediately went and
awakened Captain Sterling and told
hin the news. The captain sounded
the alarm for the Indian scouts to as
semble, but was impatient that there
should be any delay, and being of an
impulsive and daring nature, he took
his Indian chief scouts, Sagotal, and
started on ahead for the camp of Loco
1.-THE ride was across an open mesa
for a distance of about a mile, then the
trail ran, after crossing the San Car
los river, between two little hills, and
it was here that Sterling lost his life.
The hostile Indians had arrived at
Loco's camp before Sterling received
the news and had stationed sentries
on the hills to watch the agency.
They could plainly see Sterling DASH
ing toward them, and as he rode be-
tween the little hills they opened u
cross fire on him. His horse fell dead,
aud Sterling fell forward, shot through
the right hand. He arose and ran for
ward on the trail about 100 yards be-
fore he fell, shot through the body and
throIght he left leg. Life was not ex-
tinct before the Indians were upon
him, and according to the confession OF
an Indian named chihuahua his head
was nearly severed from his body with
a dull knife.
"Sagotal, who accompanied Sterling
1ndiau-like did not follow Sterling
the pass. but made detour
around the base of the hill, and upon
hearing the shooting and seeing Ster-
ling fall, retreated to the agency and |
gave the alarm. At the camp there |
were now fifty Indian scouts ready for !
duty, but without Il leader, except |
the Indian chief OF scouts.
AN Indian scout went to my room, |
where | was sleeping all unconscious
Of danger, and told me that his broth
er was dead. / had heard such tales |
before, when my comrades had been |
and rs Sterling had been in
the habit of raiding Tisguin parties. /
thought he might have received a
cut by some old squaw. So it was not
with any great alarm that dressed,
armed myself and started out. Arriv-
ing in front of the agency building,
5agotal told me what had happened.
"Assuming command OF the scouts |
the agent, snb-agent and several gov
employees being absen), and |
leaving only five or six white men at
the agency, l started in pursuit. We
forded the river and followed the trail |
through the pass, and came upon the |
dead horse of Sterling. Then we real /
lied that Sterling was no more hOut