20095. The Arizona Miner, Prescott, Arizona Territory, June 22nd, 1872. On the morning in question Joe and M. Goldwater (article)

The Arizona Miner Prescott, Arizona Territory June 22nd, 1872 On the morning in question Joe and M. Goldwater (brothers) and Dr. W.W. Jones parted from friends here and took the road leading to Ehrenberg, Dr. Jones and M. Goldwater, in one buggy, and Jos. Goldwater, in another. They had reached the “divide” of Granite Mountain: had, indeed, proceeded nearly one-half mile beyond that dangerous place, and, were, no doubt, feeling that they had passed the Rubicon, when, horror of horrors, bullet after bullet flew at them, from guns in the hands of treacherous Apaches. Doctor Jones and M. Goldwater were ahead, and had a very narrow escape, as one bullet passed through the Doctor’s shirt sleeve, and another through M. Goldwater’s hat. But poor Joe got the worst of it, having received two dangerous wounds from bullets, in the back. The savages were on every side of the little party, hid in the brush, so that their escape is almost miraculous. One of the horses was shot in the neck. Open ground was soon reached, and better still, white friends, in the persons of L.R. Stephenson, George Jackson and Jas. O’Leary, of Walnut Grove, who were coming to Prescott in a wagon. Upon meeting them the Goldwater party had to come to a halt, as the frightened horses could not pass their wagon, and it-’ was then it was discovered that Jos. Goldwater was dangerously wounded. But the hellish Indians were advancing, and the whites must either fight them or get away from them. Jones, Stephenson and others were for staying and fighting the savages, whom numbered about forty. But, upon reflecting how Jos. Goldwater was suffering, retreat was the word, and retreat they did, followed by the Indians. Skull Valley was soon reached. The party stopped at E.F. Bowers’ place, which gentleman got two soldiers of the mail escort to ride to town and Fort Whipple, over the trail, which feat was very quickly performed. Dr. Bailey, Medical Director of the Department, sent down surgical instruments as per request of Dr. Jones; the balls were probed for; the wounded man was relieved, and is now, we believe, in the hospital at Camp Date Creek, where, it is hoped, he will speedily recover. Stephenson and party came to town the next day, when Steve informed us that, to the best of his knowledge and belief, the attacking savages were Indians belonging to Camp Date Creek, as they were partly clad in soldiers’ clothing- had soldiers’ guns and fired soldiers’ cartridges. He thinks Dr. Jones killed one savage, and we sincerely hope he did.