El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1910-08-29
The Passing Of Fort Bowie
By H. Heinrich, in Tucson Citizer

Fort Bowie, Arizona, is to be sold
eminent in 1894 as military post, is to
be placed on the market and sold at
auction, in tracts of not less than 10
acres The reservation, which is six
miles square, is TO be sold shortly
Half way up Apache Pass in south
eastern Arizona, are the ruins of old
Fort Bowie, at one time one OF the
most interesting of Uncle Sans mill
tary posts. 1t lies on the eastern slope
of the pass, II miles from Bowie sta
ton, in San Simon valley, and about
an equal distance from Sulphur Springs
in Sulphur Springs valley
Established in 1861.
Fort Bowie was established in 1851
by the California column on its way
TO take possession of Arizona and New
Mexico. This column was sent from
California TO aid the federal govern
ment in suppressing the rebellion and
was commanded by Gen Carlton HIS
object for establishing this post was
TO keep the confederates out of the two
territories 1t was. also a. protection
for the emigrant travelling westward
by the southern route, for at this time
the notorious Apache chief, Cochise.
with his band of followers. waged per-
petual war upon the white man.
From his hiding place, knwn as Co
chise stronghold, about so miles south
of Dragon Pass, in the Dragon noun
tains. these blood thirsty warriors
would watch the emigrant as he crossed
the Sulphur Springs valley, and many
fell victim TO the tomahawk and scalp
ing knife After years of skirmishing
Cochise was finally driven from his
stronghold by four troops of cavalry
commanded by officers who later be-
came famous on the battlefields OF San
Juan and Ell Caney. The old warrior
took refuge in the San Bernardino
mountains in Old Mexico, where, after
a few years, he died.
Pony Express Station.
After the Civil war the post was
maintained TO protect the incoming set
tiers and prospectors from the rowing
bands of Apaches, and to prevent the
annual raids that they were accustom-
ed to make into Mexico for robbery and
pillage.
For Bowie was also one of the over
land stations of Butterfield's pony eX-
press extending from St. Joe. Missouri,
to the Pacific coast. The men who un-
dertook this perilOus journey. through
a country infested by indians. were
hardy frontiersmen- 1t was no uncom-
mon thing for a pony to come into the
From this post Gen. Crook started his
campaign against Geronimo. who Few
months before had broken away from
the San Carlos reservation, making MS
way through Arizona and New Mexico
and leaving behind a trail of murder
and desolation which plainly told OF the
cruelty and fierceness of the old saw
age. After Is months OF flghtlng ne
surrendered to Gen. Miles at Fort
Rowie He was taken to Bowie station
with his few remaining followers and
from there sent to Florida. Several
citizens who took part in this cam
paign. acting as couriers and scouts
are still living in the vicinity of Fort
Bowie.
Abandoned in 1894.
The fort was abandoned in 1894, there
being no further need OF military
post in that part of southern Arizona
Only a very small part Of the reseTva-
ton can be used for agriculture Three
or four sections on the Sulphur Springs