Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1907-09-23
SLOW To CAPTURE
THE PAPAGO
Arizona Posse Arrives in Bad
Indian Country but No Arrest
Reported Thus Far.
CTucson citizen.)

a report was spread about the CitN
last night that Sheriff Pacncco had
been wounded in a fight with Indians
near AJo. The very latest news of ,he
sheriffs posse was given by a courier.
VINO arrived in ella Ben today. lie
made no mention of any fight. and re-
ported the party in good shape ami
making for the lei CUBIC country.
There is no truth in the report Of
Pacheco being wounded.
ella Bend, Sept. ga courier who
arrived here at noon today brings
news that the heavily armed posse OF
officers, headed by Sheriff Pacheco
and Ranger Captain Wheeler. has
reached the El CUBIC country. The
murderer, John Johns, could not be
found in the pueblo. but It is the be-
lief of the officers that he is in hid
ing. and a thorough search will h.
instituted through the village and the
surrounding country will be secured
by the officers.
A news letter by mail from the spc-
cial correspondent of the Citizen at
Ajo reveals an extraordinary and as
tonishing state of affairs in the Indian
country 10 the south and west of Aio.
Sheriff Pacheco and Captain Wheel
er were greatly surprised at the GUS
h VI ~ h'AAalA0 III tut dNIlA 4
disregard for any civilized laws.
The letter is as follows:
Al eye for an eye and a life for
a life is not the custom that prevails
among the Papagoes that live in the
southwestern part of Pima county.
They vary the ancient law so thai in
stead of really giving an eve when one
is lost. or instead Of having an cXccu-
ton when "A murder Is committed, the
family or relatives OF the killed ~
murdered party are recompensed by "a
money consideration.
1T was the refusal of John Johns.
the Indian murderer. 10 pay the small
sum of $40 to the widow of the muir
dered man, that led to all the present
trouble. As is the custom of the tribe
the squaw Of the dead man took hef
claim up with the head chief in tho
Indian pueblo and the order was given
that Johns should pay her SIS. Johns
baked in the payment and the squaw
in her Indian understanding Of her
legal right attempted TO force the pay
mcnt of this sum. This refusal Of
Johns placed him under the ban of
the law and II Is the general belief
that he would ave been dealt with
according 10 the Indian customs had
not tho White Mans law stepped into
the case.
no sooner had word been received
To the pueblo hat the Officers from
Tucson wanted Johns han the whole
village rallied to his support. Tho In
dians did not an all relish the prospect
of interference with their affairs from
the Tucson officers, and they deter
mined to either resist with arms or %
secret Johns when the officers arrived
For this reason II Is believed that the
officers posse viii have the greatest
difficulty in discovering the where
abouts Of the Indian.
by means Of communication
known only TO the Indians word
reached the village Of El CUBIC within
twenty-four hours after " WAS known
in Tucson that he posse would start
Tor the village.
The Papago fiestas in this country
are grewsome affairs. and not q sim
Bile n goes b. without a serious cut
ting or killing scrape. The Indians
seem to accept these things. however
o. a matter of course and the rcia-.
tres are ALWAYS satisfied when They
receive heir money payment
lt was during Oh last fiesta at Aln
That Rafel Vega. "a papaEn. mystcri
ouslv met death. n was supposed thai
Do had persisted IN The flames which
destroyed his shack. but there wtr
evidences that his skull had hce
fractured and this strongly Indicated :
murder. Those who are familiar Win
Indian abodes do not attribute tn
fracture 10 the falling of walls 81 the
Al another recent fiesta an Indian
FAMED Juan struck an Indian name
duaquiu in the eye With a large bout
Ger. MASKING the iatter's face ana
g luginE the eye q This ghlstlA
scene took place a. Reduudo's Wei
p assaiiant settled with his victim
hY the payment Of SIS and the two are
now warm friends
An the depredatinus on the pari q
lH Indians are caused thrnuIh tnnlr
becoming drunk on TIE 81 brand nf
nescal which D. emugEied ncrti-- lne
border from Mexico and sold 90 them