The National tribune., 1903-09-10

at the time on the ella near Florence, was
interviewed by a committee consisting of
S. R. belong, J. W. Hopkins and VIM.
S. Curry, the remaining names not now re-
membered. The result Of the conference
few troops, and could give no aid; that
Tucson had the largest population in the
Territory, and gave US to understand
that we must protect ourselves. With this
cold comfort after trip of $50 miles and
the loss of valuable mule, we returned
to our constituents, and although no pub
lie demonstration was made, at a quiet
assemblage of some of our ablest and
most substantial citizens, it was resolved
that the recommendation Of Gen. Stone
man should be adopted, and that to the
best of our ability we would endeavor to
protect ourselves. A few days afterwards,
in the beginning Of April, 1871 the arrival
of a carrier from San Xavier brought the
sad intelligence that the Indians had just
made descent upon that place and had
driven off a large number of cattle and
horses; the alarm drum (the usual way of
collecting our people, was beat-a flaming
cartoon carried by a man who accompanied
the drummer was displayed with the fol-
lowing inscription: 'Injuns-
juns. Big meeting at the Court House.
Come, everybody; time for action has ar
rived
This device had been so frequently re-
sorted to and the result obtained so unsat-
isfactOry that it failed to draw. Mean
while party of citizens had saddled their
horses, and learning from two San Xavier
carriers the direction the marauding In
dams had taken, rode off, hoping to inter-
cept them before they reached the Ceba-
diI!a Pass. In this they were disappointed,
for the Indians had gone into the pass be-
fore the pursuing party could meet them.
However, the pursuing party found the
tracks of the Indians, and came up with
a delayed Indian driving the stolen stock
on tired horse. This Indian they killed,
and they recovered some stock. The other
Indians escaped with the horses and the
freshest cattle.
CAMP GRANT INDIANS.
Upon the return of the party to Tue
son Mr.. William II. Curry went to inter-
view one of them, named Jesus Maria
Elias, and had a long conference with
him. Uhis Mr.. Elias was a fine trailer,
who could be relied on to follow tracks
even over hard ground, through rivers,
etc. This man said to Mr.. Curry: Don
Guillermo. l have always been satisfied,
and have repeatedly told you that the
Camp Grant Indians were the ones that
were destroying us. / now have proof pos
tive that the Indian we have just killed
is q Camp Grant Indian. If my evidence
is not sufficient, l will bring more proof.
have frequently seen him there, and know
him well by his having front tooth out,
and rs a further proof, when We overlook
the Indians they were making a direct
course for Camp Grant. Now it devOlves
upon you as one of the oldest American
residents of the county to devise some
means Of saving us from total ruin which
the present state Of affairs must inyari-
ably lead to il not remedied; see your
countrymen, they are the only ones who
have money to furnish the supplies neces-
sary to make a formal and effective cam
paign against our implacable enemies. l
know my eountrymen, and will vouch that,
il arms, ammunition and provisions, how
ever scant, are furnished them, they will
be ready at the first call"
Mr.. Curry replied: Don Jesus, for my
self will answer that l will at all times
be ready to do my part, and will at once
issue cali for the assemblage of my peo-
pie at the Court House, when you can
publicly state what you have just told me,
and some concerted plan can be adopted
which may give the desired relief.
With sad shake of the head Mr.. Elias
answered: mo, Don Guillermo. for months
we have repeatedly held public meetings,
at which many patriotic speeches have
been made and many glowing resolutions
passed; meanwhile our means of subsis-
lance have been rapidly diminishing, and
nothing has been accomplished. We can
not resolute the remorseless Apache out
OF existence. II that could have been
done every one Of them would have been
dead long since. Besides, giving publicity
to the course we might determine to pur-
sue would surely defeat any plan we
might adopt. You are aware that there
are wealthy and influential men in this
community whose interest it is to have
the Indians at Camp Grant left undisturb-
ed, and who would at the first intimation
of an intent to inquire seriously into their
operations appeal to the military (whose
ears they have and Illustrate all our plans
and hopes"
PLANNING A CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE
APACHES.
Mr. Curry saw at once the force Of his
arguments, and replied: Lay out the
plan of action, and l will aid you with all
the zeal and energy / possess" Mr.. Elias
then developed the following plan: You
and I will go first to San Xavier, see
Francisco, the head Papago there, have
him send runners to the various Papago
villages notifying them that on the 2Sth
OI April we Will tUeEl 10 bt Ut san AdVleE
early in the morning with all the force
they can muster for a campaign against
our own, sworn enemy, the Apaches. Fran
cisco will be prepared to give them all
good breakfast on their arrival, and send
messages to me at once. This matter be-
ing satisfactory We will then return to
Tucson. l will see all the Mexicans who
may desire to participate in the campaign,
and have them all ready to move on the
day fixed. You make arrangements with
the Americans you can trust, either to take
active part in the campaign or render such
assistance in supplies, arms. ammunition
and horses as will be required to carry out
the expedition, and on the day fixed april
2S), news OF the arrival of the Papagoes
at San Xavier having first been received,
all who were to be active participants in
the campaign to leave town quietly and
singly, to avoid giving alarm, and rendez-
vous on the Rillito opposite San Xavier,
where the Papagoes will be advised to
meet us, and where as per arrangement
the arms, ammunition and provisions will
be delivered and distributed. All hands
having arrived at the rendezvous, the
command to be fully organized by the
election of commander, whom all shall be
pledged to obey implicitly. When thus Or
ganized the command to march up the
Rillito until the trail of the Indians who
have committed the recent depredations
at San Xavier will be struck; this trail
We will foIlow vyharevar IN NAV laad onJ