The Socorro chieftain., 1906-03-03
EARLYSOCORRO COUNTY
The SocOrrO Bullion Of 20 Years
Ago Tells Of Thrilling Exper-
fences in Life Of
R. c. PATTERSON IN YEAR 1900
BloOdthirsty Apachsa and Navsios
Disturb Early Settlers of socorro
County in Peaceful Pursuits.

The following is a continuation
of an article begun in the Chief
tain two weeks ago:
ANOTHER BATTLE.
The population was thus kept
on the alert, and the threat was
partially made good in October,
1867, when Victorio, accompanied
by 400 of his blood-thirsty crew,
appeared on the scene. Mr.. Pat
terson and Sam Creevey, now
living in this city, near Sam Zim-
q merly's mill, were at the time
shucking corn in the field about
one mile from Canada Alamosa,
when, without warning, the
Apaches commenced an active
fire upon five Mexicans whom
they had corralled, the unfor-
tunate party having but one
pistol among them to repel the
red devils.
The enemy formed their line
of battle skillfully i'll three bands;
one occupied the old pueblo on
the heights on the left side OF
the canon, the second band en-
gagged the five natives in the
canon, while the third, which
was mounted, were i'll the rear of
the second band, hidden in a
small caiioncito, to cut off any
escape to Canada. Don Teiano
Barbon (Mr. Patterson soon
formed his plans, which were ex-
ecuted without hesitation and
ably seconded by Mr.. Creevey.
He advanced rapidly and emptied
two saddles. and the rest of the
indian cavalry retreated out OF
rife shot. He then rushed TO the
rescue of the five natives. under
a heavy fire from the reds at the
old pueblo; and those who had
surrounded the MexicanS. AT
the first crack of his rifle the
chief of this band fell To the
earth with bullet through his
heart: This gave the surround
ed party an opportunity to retreat
to Canada in safety, hearing one
of their number who was wound
ed with them. After killing ten
of the Apache devils, they slowly
fell back upon the settlement but
continued a steady fire all the
while upon the enemy, who, ac-
cording to an eyewitness, dark
ened the hills with their num-
bers."
VICTORY.
At this moment they met Joe
Emerson leading a rescuing party.
Mr.. Patterson now urged the
combined force to renew the fight,
as the Indians were visibly de-
moralized, and he felt satisfied
that they would have been easily
routed; but the majority differed
with this view, and gave for their
reason that they were short OF
ammunition; the probability IS
that the main obstacle in the
way was the overwhelming mum
ber of the enemy. Whether
this course was wise or not has
not transpired, but the discussion
was suddenly terminated by al
Indian bearing a buckskin ar
tached to the point of a lance a.
a flag of truce. This decided tho
matter; and Mr.. Patterson, alon,
and without his rifle, advanced
half way toward him and within
speaking distance. A ten-yea
old son of Tomas Montoya, wh'
had been captured that morning
acted as interpreter, and haile'
Mr.. Patterson, telling him t.
come no nearer; that the Indian
said he was bad man, an'
didn't want any closer relations
with him. In fact, as the brave
man advanced, many of the red
who were dismounted had alread'
sprang to their horses with tn,
idea that distance lent enchant
ment to the view. Patterson
halted; the interpreter further re
lated that the demoralized red
wanted to make peace with tn
people of the town, and wishes
to open trade with them, witt
the view of purchasing grain AM
supplies, and 10 have peace tai
with the alcalde. Whereupo
Patterson returned to the tow
and informed that worthy func
tionary OF the Apache's desire t
cultivate his acquaintance; bu
he refused to go one step unles
accompanied by three armed mer