The Apache sentinel., 1943-07-16

men, fafSacked the ranches. carried
off livestock and whatever else they
wanted and kidnapped the women
and girls.
Indians Go On Rampages
Reports of the hostile Indian de-
predations are numerous In fact.
Capt. Whitside had hardly got his
new camp set up before he was
beseiged with reports of Indians on
the warpath Many of the incidents
reported had occurred before his
men pitched the first tent at the
mouth Of the Huachuca canyon.
They included such notationS as:
Feb. 4th,- Victor Santoze and Fer
nando Seas were killed in the Sonita
Valley; Jesse Rindos is missing from
Casa Blanca, the same day; Feb.
7th, Emilio Pine, Conception Ar
mante and Tomas Bracamontes
were killed near Sopori Ranch in
Sonora; Feb. 9th, Joe ChaveS and
Antonio Gonzales were killed eight
miles from Tubac and another per-
son is supposed to have been killed.
In the same period Sc horses have
been stolen together with 81 mules
and five head of stock Americans
losing stock are Thomas Hughes,
Mr.. Hefty, Andy ROLES, a Mr.. Nc
Garry and S. S. Miller.
From these reports one gets only
fraction of the total reason for
the establishment of the Post. The
total of wounded, slain and missing
increased daily, although it was felt
that the presence of soldiers would
call halt to lawleSsness.
The Indians Again!
Capt Whitside's first report was
no sooner on its way than a mes
senger rode into the camp on the
morning of April Is, to announce
that Mr.. Hughes ranch at Critten-
den had been the scene Of an In
dian raid at 3 p m. the day before
and that nine head of cattle had
been run off. Following the Indians
train an hour later, Hughes and
four MeXicans had run into an am
bush and three of the Mexicans
had been killed. Hughes fled under
fire and escaped. Capt Whitside
sent Capt. Rafferty,, commanding
officer Of Co. M, 9Th Cav, with AZ
men, civilian guide and two pack
ers with 10 days rations to follow
the Indians and punish them. In
addition he sent End Lit, L. w. Craig.
9Th Cavalry, with small detach-
ment to attempt to intercept the
murdererS.
Capt. Rafferty, returned without
having even sighted the marauders.
Highlights of his report. too long
to quote in full, were these facts:
Shortly after arriving at the Hughes
place with the owner, they came
upon the bodies of the dead men.
One Mexican, Martin Sanchez, had
shot two or three times, his shoes
were gone, but the body was not.
mutilated. The other man, Jesus
Robles, had evidently been wounded
through the leg by the same bullet
that killed his horse. He had run
approximately a hundred yards in
an attempt to escape before the
Apaches had caught him and cut
his throat. The third Mexican had
been thrown from his horse, escaped
to the hills and from there in hiding
observed the Indians returning to
the Hughes ranch that night at
midnight. He had counted 36 In
dianS and all of them were dressed
in parts of soldiers uniforms.
Reports On Indian Raids
For 10 days Capt. Rafferty, had
followed the Indians, handicapped
by the fact that they remained
mostly dismounted, wore moccasins
and left practically no trails.
1t. Craig's report included an ac-
count of the killing of civilian
'rancher in an attack at Hardin's
ranch. The report states in part:
"Mr. Hardin and Capt. Deers were
unarmed. Mr. Hardin after a close
pursuit escaped to the house. Capt.
Deers was shot twice, the last shot
being through the upper part of the
body. He fell and the Indians prob
ably shot him dead"
A climax to this series of raids
was another raid on the Hughes
ranch while Capt. Rafferty, was
marching on that place. More stock
was stolen and the raiders escaped.
They were pursued by both Capt.
Rafferty, and 1t. Craig, but due to
the fact that they were dismounted,
left no trail and no signs, they easily