Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1907-02-24
THE COAL DEPOSITS
OF NAVAJO COUNTY
Other Matters of General Interest on
the White Mountain Indian Reserva-
ton.

Fort Apache. Ariz. Feb. 19-(Special
Correspondence Of The Republican,
We have had very mild weather the
past twenty days. there being 4 slight
rain on the 18th. The snow is lying on
| well in the White mountains which
promises plenty OF water for the Salt
river valley this season.
Special Indian Agent Mr.. Cornell IS
now visiting Fort Apache agency and
making n thorough investigation Of the
range conditions. Six hundred head Of
cows will be bought by the government
and issued TO the Indians. The cattle
will be bought from the lowest bidder
who can furnish the stock desired.
which is 70 be about half blood Here
ford or Durham preferred. all 20 be
from two to five years old. The bids
should be in by March 18th to be ap-
proved by the United States commits
sioner Of Indian affairs. The stock are
to be delivered al the agency not later
! than June 30th.
! The coal fields OF Navajo county To-
Gated on the northern slope about ten
miles west Of Piredale are creating
great excitement in this section. there
/ have been several locations taken or
D N
I lines FOR the Phelps Dodge Co. The
/ coal has been tested and Is said to be
/ CokinE coal. The main body Of coal is
! located near and on the White noun
Z tain Apache reservation. The belt is
about ten miles wide and twenty miles
! long. The coal crops out in great
quantities. Shafts have been sunk and
I the coal is better as depth is attained. I
=
I recommend 10 the secretary OF the in
terror that prospectors be allowed 10
enter this reservation To prospect and /
develop mines. There are a number II
valuable copper prospects located in
this reservation and from all appear /
ances II developed they would be equal |
to any in the territory. but under the /
present law no claims can b. lawfully 4
located Under the present law all I
Trospectors on the Indian land are 4
traspassers.
Major Bishop. the commanding Of /
ficer AT Fort Apache Is expecting = I
transfer soon. The major Is regarded |
rs an excellent commander. and We 4
hope that his successor VIII be as
pleasant and efficient.
Captain Hate q Troop Of the
Fifth Cavalry i now in Fort Douglas. 4
Utah under court martial. being Cha-C- I.
81 with living m immoral life with a 4
Miss Smith OF this fort who is but I
fourteen years old. Miss smith has q II
mother here and q brother who Is SEC
ond lieutenant OF C Troop OF the Fifth n
Cavalry The oourt martial convened II
in Fort Douglas. February 9Th and has
not YET come 70 q decision. The case
Is tried behind closed doors. The cap
tain rose ~ rank from the state militia II
OF New York. The Ca-tain's wife ac- H.
COm1lnisd him % Fort Douglas and is
sticking closely - him during his trou-
bic. twelve witnesses have gone from
her on the side OF the prosecution. and I,
only two ON the side II the defense.
The bridge across the Black river Is Il
nearing completion and when finished Il
IL viii make q shorter route 70 the i
railroad. the q. Y. C. An. than 20 the
santa Fe az Ho,brook
Il is semi officially announced that
Fort Apache viii not b. abandoned FOR
a number OF years. and Improvements /
VIII begin soon To abandon the fort
would Be q great setback 20 the Indians
as well as 10 every citizen in this local |
ity. The Indians supply the fort with
wood. @ooo cords annually AZ $3.50 per
cord They furnish corn for the quar-
ter master department. -o50.o pounds
per year az two cents. S4cro.co. alto
geth5- SIl-5to.oo which they would lose |
The sheep and cattle owners q Nav
3jo and Apache counties are unitetly |
opposed 20 the Arizona rangers as they j
have been q no benefit % the people /,
~ those two counties. while Graham ,
county has been az war with the ran !
ger since his first visit 20 tha- county. /
The territory has enough peace officers
without keeping this armed force 20 1
protect something which the people and |
elective officers are carefully guarding.
The cattle Inspectors are numerous
With their Deputies in each precinct in
ne territory. We venture 20 saw that \
Z The ranger company was properly
advertised il would be dispensed with !
II once While the captain Is a good
nan and doing his duty. h has no \
i.rect control Of his men located in the :
-ar.ous towns o: the territory.
J. Z. PEARCE .