Unsolved Mysteries:The Wickenburg Massacre, Episode #5.1, September 16, 1992. (partial transcript of television episode)

Below is a partial transcript of a segment about The Wickenburg Massacre from the television program "Unsolved Mysteries", Episode #5.1, which originally aired September 16th, 1992. Narrated by actor David Farina (DF) and featuring interview segments with Bill Smith (BS), credited as "Arizona Historian & Lecturer."  Historical recreations of events by actors and additional commentary by "Dana Burden, Wickenburg Historian, Tour Guide", and "Jeff Hammon, Old West Writer & Researcher", are omitted from this transcript.

Unsolved Mysteries: The Wickenburg Massacre

Episode #5.1

Aired September 16, 1992

David Farina (DF): Coming up, the legendary Wickenburg Massacre. Was the attack carried out by Apaches, or a ruthless con-man?

DF: On a quiet highway 60 miles from Phoenix, a small monument stands at the edge of the road. It honors the victims of a once infamous shootout and the days of the wild west. By the end of the attack, six men were dead. One had been stabbed with a lance. Another was scalped. This atrocity would become known as the Wickenburg Massacre. Somehow, two people managed to survive. Though they were injured, William Kruger and Molly Sheppard lived on to provide the official account of what happened that day.

DF: The story told by Kruger and Sheppard led the United States government to retaliate. The result was the deaths of hundreds of Native Americans. And now more than a century later, some historians believe that Kruger and Sheppard might have planned the attack themselves, hoping to steal a small fortune from the stagecoach.

DF: November 5th, 1871. William Kruger and Molly Sheppard climb aboard a stagecoach in Wickenburg. Sheppard was a well known prostitute and madam who had recently sold her brothel. Kruger was a two-time army desert who had somehow convinced the military to hire him as a civilian clerk.

The day after the attack, while Sheppard was recuperating, Kruger was questions by Capt. Charles Meinhold, who was assigned to investigate the incident.

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DF: By the time Meinhold reached the site, the victims' bodies had been returned to Wickenburg for burial. He uncovered several clues suggesting that Native Americans had been involved.

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DF: The tracks led towards a reservation 25 miles away. It was home to 750 members of the Yavapai tribe. But strangely, several miles before the tracks reached the reservation, they veered off in a different direction.

Bill Smith (BS): This to me, would indicate possibly a non-Native American group, that is heading towards Camp Date Creek to make it look like the perpetrators are heading back to reservation.

DF: The Yavapai, who were often misidentified as Apaches, were a largely peaceful people. Many worked as laborers and scouts for the settlers. To those who knew the tribe, it seemed inconceivable that they would have been involved in the attack.

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BS: If this was a Native American attack, we would have found that the ammunition and the weapons, certainly, would have been missing. And we would also found that any blankets would have been taken, but in this particular case, none of it was touched whatsoever.

DF: But the most puzzling evidence was found in the bags of mail that had been loaded onto the stagecoach at Wickenburg. After the attack, a number of letters addressed to the Army Quartermaster had been opened, and their contents carefully put back.

BS: Going through the mail. This is something that an Indian--or a Native American, would not do, is go through the mail. This certainly, you know, to me would indicate that it was a non-Indian attack.

DF: But if the Yavapai were innocent, who were the killers, and what was their motive? At the time, gold bullion was often transported by stagecoach. At least one account claims that Mexican bandits, disguised as Apaches, were responsible. Others suggest a more devious plan.

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DF: Kruger's account of escape seemed hard to believe. Researcher Jeff Hammon believes that Kruger and Sheppard hired bandits to help them with the robbery.

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DF: In his report, Capt. Meinhold acknowledged rumors that the scheme was intended to rob the mail of the bullion usually shipped around the first of every month. And yet, Meinhold never said that the gold had actually been carried on that specific stagecoach run. Still, the stories persisted.

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DF: Jeff Hannon believes that Kruger hid the loot somewhere near the massacre site where only he and Sheppard could find it.

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DF: If there was a treasure, it seems unlikely that Molly Sheppard or William Kruger ever recovered it. Sheppard disappeared soon after the incident, fueling rumors that she had died of her wounds. Kruger last surfaced 13 years after the massacre when he sued the government for money that he claimed to have lost in the attack.

DF: During the 1870s, the Wickenburg Massacre caused a national outrage. Within 18 months of the attack, the Yavapai were driven off the reservation by a government determined to punish them for their attack. Eventually hundreds of innocent men, women and children died from starvation and disease. We may never know who was responsible for the Wickenburg Massacre. However, we do know that the list of victims include many more than the six men who were killed on that violent morning more than a century ago.

20085. The Army and Navy Journal, Volume IX, Number 29, Saturday, March 2nd, 1872. Colonel R.F. O'Beirne, U.S. Army, Commanding (letter)

The Army And Navy Journal Volume IX, Number 29 Saturday, March 2nd, 1872 Colonel R.F. O’Beirne U.S. Army, Commanding Sir: In reply to your request for a statement from me in regard to the medical and general treatment of William Kruger and Mollie Sheppard, while at this post, I have the honor to state that on the receipt of the information of the stage being attacked between Wickenburg and Ehrenberg, you ordered me to proceed without a moment’s delay, and render such assistance as the cases required. On my arrival at Wickenburg I found the only survivors— Mr. Kruger and Miss Sheppard, wounded; Kruger slightly, and the woman badly in the upper third right arm. Having been informed that no proper medical aid could be procured at the latter place, and in consultation with Captain Meinhold in regard to the matter, we came to the conclusion to remove them to a point near Camp Date Creek where they would receive proper care and attention. On our arrival at the post, it being near dark the woman was placed in the quarters occupied by the hospital matron, until such time as arrangements could be made for her removal to Mr. Gilson’s, on the reservation, (2½) miles from camp. On visiting her the morning after her arrival, I found her arm much swollen and inflamed, and so reported to you, when I was ordered to keep her there until such time as she could be removed without harm to herself to more comfortable quarters. Also, that I should admit William Kruger to hospital for treatment, etc., he refusing to go into hospital and preferring to remain at the matron’s with the wounded woman until such time as she had recovered sufficiently to be removed to Mr. Gilson’s where he accompanied her and where they remained until entirely recovered. I take pleasure in stating that every assistance was rendered me by the commanding officer of this post, and that every comfort that they could well have received was extended to them. I am sir, Very respectfully, Your obedient servant, D.J. Evans, Post Surgeon, CAMP DATE CREEK, A.T., January 27th, 1872.

20080, 20081. The Army and Navy Journal, Volume IX, Number 29, Saturday, March 2nd, 1872. To the Editor of the Army and Navy Journal (letter)

The Army And Navy Journal Volume IX, Number 29 Saturday, March 2nd, 1872 To the Editor of the Army and Navy Journal. Sir: My attention has been called to a letter addressed to William C. Peckham, Esq., Trinity Building, New York and signed by William Kruger, chief clerk to Captain C.W. Foster, assistant quarterm aster U.S. Army, pretending to give an account of the massacre near Wickenburg, in which Mr. Fred Loring and others were killed. Were I to consult my own inclinations and disregard the wishes of my friends, I would pass this letter by with the contempt it deserves. It is charitable to suppose that Mr. Kruger must be insane, for it is only on this theory that one can account for the falsehoods which his letter contains. Without going into details I positively assert that every statement Mr. Kruger has made in that letter as regards my treatment of him and “Miss Sheppard” and my conduct in the investigation of the sad affair, is false in every particular, and that no one is better aware of this than Mr. Kruger. The report of the attack on the stage reached me some twenty- two hours after its occurrence. I immediately ordered Captain Meinhold and Lieutenant Simpson, with a detachment of Troop B, Third Cavalry, to proceed to the point of attack, to pursue the assassins, and if not successful in overtaking them, to find out if possible from whence they came. I also sent the post surgeon to attend to the wounded. Captain Meinhold in his report states that the tracks, which he followed some twenty-five miles from where the stage was attacked, after leading for some distance towards this post, turned off in an opposite direction. There is not one particle of evidence to show that the Indians on the Date Creek Reservation had anything to do with the massacre. The statement that two Indians died from gunshot wounds on this reservation shortly after the sad occurrence is false; indeed I am informed by an officer who examined Mr. Kruger’s revolver on his arrival at this post that there was not one shot fired out of it. With regard to the charge of inhumanity towards Mr. Kruger and “Miss Sheppard,” I prefer to let others speak, and forward you herewith, statements from Lieutenant Ebstein, Twenty-first Infantry, and Dr. Evans, the surgeon of the post, which show conclusively that every comfort and attention that could readily be shown them was freely extended. I am loath to add, but simple justice compels me to statew ith the view of showing the character and standing of Mr. Kruger, that “Miss Sheppard” who was travelling under his To the Editor of the Army and Navy Journal- Continued. protection and to whom he so feelingly alludes, is a notorious prostitute (not—withstanding, I believe her to be much the better character of the two) who has for a long time, I am informed, enjoyed the questionable care and patronage of Mr. Kruger. With great respect, Your obedient servant, R.F. O’Beirne, Captain Twenty-first Infantry. CAMP DATE CREEK, ARIZONA, January 27th, 1872.

20058. Hd'qrs. Camp Date Creek, A.T., November 29th, 1871. Asst. Adjutant General, Department of Arizona, Prescott, A.T. (letter)

Hd’qrs. Camp Date Creek, A.T. November 29th, 1871 Asst. Adjutant General Department of Arizona Prescott, A.T. Sir: In reply to your letter of Nov. 12th, concerning the reports made with reference to the attack on the stage near Wickenburg on the 4th inst.- I have to state that when Captain Meinhold was sent with a portion of his troop to inquire into the affair, he was authorized to employ and did procure a trailer for the purpose of aiding him in properly prosecuting the pursuit, and I entertained the hope that he would have succeeded in satisfact orily determining who were the perpetrators of the outrage. Owing however to the fact that there are neither aparejos nor pack animals at this Post, he was only furnished with three days rations, these he made last his Command for four days. Frequent inquires have been made among the Indians, drawing rations at this Post, concerning the affair, but no information has as yet been obtained. Efforts to this end will be continued. I am Sir, Very respectfully, Your obd’t servt., R.F. O’Beirne, Captain 21st Infantry, Commanding Post.

20046. Headquarters Department of Arizona, Prescott, November 12th, 1871. Date Creek Camp, Commdg. Officer (letter)

Headquarters Department of Arizona Prescott, November 12th, 1871 Date Creek Camp Commdg. Officer Sir: Referring to the reports of the late attack upon the stage near Wickenburg and the massacre of the passengers, the Department Commander directs me to say that he regrets that suitable Indian guides, trailers, were not sent out with Captain Meinholds Command, and that pursuit was not kept up at any sacrifice to determine definitely whether the perpetrators were Indians or Mexican bandits or both. You will as far as possible remedy the defect by diligent inquiry among the Indians now drawing rations at your post, and by such other investigation as you think necessary to determine that matter definitely, and make report thereon without delay. The importance of a thorough searching investigation of this matter cannot be too earnestly impressed upon you. I am Sir, Very respectfully, Your obd’t. servant, A.H. Nickerson, Captain 23rd Infantry, A.A.C. and A.A.A. Gen’l.

20037. Hd'qrs. Camp Date Creek, A.T., November 6th, 1871, Asst. Adjutant General, Department of Arizona, Prescott, A.T. (letter)

Hd’qrs. Camp Date Creek, A.T. November 6th, 1871 Asst. Adjutant General Department of Arizona Prescott, A.T. Sir: A report reached me at 8 o’clock this morning that the stage which left Wickenburg, A.T. for La Paz yesterday was attacked seven miles from the former place. Six of the passengers were Killed and two wounded. From the statement made to me I am led to believe that the attack was made by parties seeking plunder. As evidence of this it is said that the mail bags were cut open and registered letters stolen. Valises and other packages were cut open and a portion of their contents taken. The pockets of the murdered men were turned inside out, while blankets, some of bright colors were not touched, neither were the animals pertaining to the mail coach. I have sent Captain Meinhold with a detachment of his troop to examine into the affair, and the Surgeon of the Post to attend to the wounded. I am Sir, Very respectfully, Your obedient servant, R.F. O’Beirne, Captain 21st Infantry, Commanding Post.