Weekly journal-miner., 1911-01-11
General Earl D. Thomas Retires Ends Brilliant Military Career
Enlisted as Private In Civil War at Age Of
 Fifteen Years
Only Officer Living Who Fought in Battle Of
 The Caves

Brlgadler General Earl U. Ihomas, U. S. Army, was retired from active service at Denver, Colo, yesterday, after a military record covering near ly forty-nine years of continuous service. The closing days of his military life were appropriately ob- served at Denver, where he relin- quished command of the Department of the Colorado, which includes Ari- zona.
 On the day he stepped into civil life ne had reached the age of 64 years, having been born in Illinois, en January 1, 1S47.
 Arizonans, especially, look back on the past life of this splendid soi- dier with very much interest and pleasure. He was intrepid in his work, subduing the Apaches, and in the ten year war that followed, it is due to General Crook that such able Lieutenants as Earl D. Thomas that the good work was accomplished, and the country opened to the marcn of industrial progress, so plainly in evi- dence today.
 The career of General Thomas in military service at this particular time, will be interesting for his many friends throughout the Southwest to peruse. In brief it follows:
 At the age of 15 years he enlist ed in Company H of the Sth Hi nois Cavalry, on April 1,t1S62. Later he was promoted to corporal, and af- terward was Sergeant Major of the regiment until April g, 1865, when he was mustered out of the service.
 With the military spirit seizing him, and with a fine record, he made application for admission to West Point, and was immediately accepted.
 On June 15, 1869, he left the Acad- emy, having graudated, and was as- signed to the 5th Cavalry as Sec Ond Lieutenant. This sent him to the West to begin his career, among Indians.
 In 1872, he was ordered to Ari- zona, and served under General Crook, winning his first promotion for bravery in the field against the Indians.
 On April l, 1885, he was made Captain of the 5th Cavalry.
 On February 4, 1889, he was pro noted to Major of the sth Cavalry.
 On May 23d, of the same year, he was transferred to the 5th Cavalry, his favorite command.
 He was detailed as Inspector Gen eral on May 12, 1898, and returned to the 5th Cavalry.
 November 16, 1901, he was made Lieutenant Colonel of the 18th Cav airy, and on April 18th, 1903, was promoted Colonel, and assigned to the 11th Cavalry.
 He reached the grade of Brigadier General on April IS, 1907, and re- tired with that rank.
 During nearly half a century in his military life, General Thomas served in the West, mainly, and was in the Philippines, Cuba, Porto Rico and all places where duty demanded
 Battle of the Caves
 About ten years ago a eattleman named Jeff Adams, now deputy sher- if of Maricopa county, rode into Phoenix, and stated that in the Sup erstition Mountains ne had found a cavern forty-five by one hundred and thirty feet in area, the floor almost covered by the skeletons of over 200 Indians. The cavern is located on the side of a precipitous gorge, and ,ould be reached only by a danger GUS trail. Adams also stated that his discovery of the trail settled the question of the famous military ex. petition when the 5th U. s. Cavalry accomplished the greatest job of In. dian killing in the history of the army.
 Meeting Captain J. W. Ross in Phoenix. Mir Adams entered into an earnest conversation over the discov, cry made a few days prior, when the former army officer gave an in. teresting review of the great fight which goes down in history as the Battle of the Caves"
 From Major Ross the following thrilling account was given of thi.