20174. The Arizona Sentinel, Yuma, Arizona Territory, May 24th, 1873. Another Victory! (article)

The Arizona Sentinel Yuma, Arizona Territory May 24th, 1873 Another Victory! Five Apache-Mojaves Killed, and their Rancherias, Provision and Blankets Destroyed! Capt. Nickerson, of Gen. Crook’s staff, arrived here on Thursday the 22nd inst, with a detachment of Co. A, 1st Cay., Lt. Hogan commanding. This force, together with a detachment of Hualpai Indian scouts were sent by Gen. Crook from Prescott, about the last of April, to operate against the Apache-Mojaves who left the Date Creek feeding post when the remainder of the tribe were being removed by the Indian Department to the reservation set apart for them at Camp Verde. The troops were operating in the country back of Date Creek, where on the 6th, they attacked a band of renegades, killing five and capturing and destroying their rancherias and all their provision, blankets etc. The command were then about to proceed against another band, when the order for the companies of the 1st Cavalry to proceed to the Modoc country came, and materially interfered with the operations: but Gen. Crook, wishing to avail him— self of their services to the last moment, directed them to call en route on the band of renegades lately infesting the country about the Laguna and Castle Dome. On his arrival at Gila City, Captain Nickerson was fully advised that the Indians had been informed of the troops coming and had left or were leaving, but he thought best to investigate the matter thoroughly, doing, in the few days he was there, some very hard work which, when commenced was continued day and night, the command operating mostly on foot and suffering for water very much. Most of the Indians lately at and near Laguna seem to have gone into the range of mountains lying between the Dome and Har—gua---halla range south of Cullen’s. Captain McGregor, who was in command of the expedition when it started Out, and who was obliged to return to Ptescott to attend to the movement of the remainder of his company, is expected to arrive soon with the troops coming down via Mojave. The Indians belonging to the expedition are at Gila City, where Captain Nickerson will rejoin them with a small det achment of recruits from the post of Fort Yuma, leaving at once for Prescott.

20172. The Arizona Miner, Prescott, Arizona Territory, May 10th, 1873. A Word of Caution. Today we are congradulating (article)

The Arizona Miner Prescott, Arizona Territory May 10th, 1873 A Word of Caution. Today we are congradulating ourselves and the outside world, that the peace commission, headed by Gen. Crook, has resulted in getting the Indians, generally, upon reservations, and that so few acts of hostility have been committed this spring. It is well to rejoice over so great a change, but it is also well to relax no portion of the vigilance exercised in times past. There are Indians yet in the mountains, and those on the reservations are there, not because they like the situation, but because they are afraid of being killed, because they have been driven by the troops from one point to another, losing many of their warriors by the wayside, hurried along so that they had but little time to collect food, and no time to plant their usual crops. Hunger and fear drove them in. On the Verde reservation, last Monday, there were 1,187 Indians, and by this time the Apache-Mohaves from Date Creek have reachec there, and 1,600 redskins are now being fed at that reservation. But the redskins did not all leave Date Creek; as the last count at that post showed 592, and Lieut. Schuyler took only 360 of them to the Verde. The remainder, and they are the young braves of the tribe, are yet at large and refuse to go upon the Verde reservation, and will not until they get another lesson or two from Gen. Crook’s peace—makers. The Indians who are now eating government rations, may, at any time, make up a fighting party, and slip out to ravage the country. Their natural disposition is not changed, they are burning with hate and a desire for revenge for the death of their friends and relatives slain during the campaign. As the remnants of all the tribes in northern California and Nevada, in Oregon and Washington Territory, are reported to be showing symptoms of malice toward the whites, sympathy towards the Modocs, and a readiness to take the war path should Capt. Jack and his followers escape; so should any fight between the Apaches and the soldiers result in the success of the Indians, a circumstance not impossible or improbable, those now on rese rvations may take the field again, without a moments warning. Let all be prepared to meet them.

20170. The Arizona Miner, Prescott, Arizona Territory, May 10th, 1873. Pacified Indians. Numbers of Apache-Mohaves (article)

The Arizona Miner Prescott, Arizona Territory May 10th, 1873 Pacified Indians. Numbers of Apache-Mohaves were in town on Wednesday, some clothed in soldier’s uniform, others nearly naked, and partly clad in citizens old clothes. But nearly all were armed, and they had all descriptions of guns; we noticed old Mississippi yaugers, Hawkins’ rifles, Springfield muskets, Sharp’s and Spencer’s carbines, Colts, Smith & Wesson’s and other pistols, and plenty of knives. Some of these fellows were employed as soldiers during the winter, under Gen. Crook, against the Tonto and Pinal Indians, their natural enemies, and did good service; but it was rather aggravating to see some of the oldest of the party, who have doubtless scalped many a white man, parading our streets with powder-horns, bullet pouches, belts, guns, etc., that we are sure they procured from the victims of their ambusc ades in years gone by. We hope they have buried the hatchet forever, but should prefer meeting them on the highway or in the mountains, without such good arms in their hands.

20168. Arizona Citizen, Tucson, Arizona Territory, May 3rd, 1873. The Indians at Date Creek are to be removed (article)

Arizona Citizen Tucson, Arizona Territory May 3rd, 1873 The Indians at Date Creek are to be removed to the Verde. They are very reluctant to go, and some fears are entertained that there may be difficulty in getting and keeping them there. But, we apprehend, that no serious trouble will arise from it. The memory of the punishm ent they received for their evil deeds is too fresh in their memories to desire a repe tition of Gen. Crook’s gentle caressing at the present time, and if they don’t obey orders they know they will get it. The Verde is a far better place for them in every way, and they can be cared for by the government much more economically by placing them with the Verde Indians.

20135. The Arizona Sentinel, Arizona City, Yuma County, A.T., Saturday, October 5th, 1872. Gen. Crook's Forces. (article)

The Arizona Sentinel Arizona City, Yuma County, A.T. Saturday, October 5th, 1872 Gen. Crook’s Forces. We learn by letter from Ehrenburg, dated Sept. 29th, that Gen. Crook has now three companies of cavalry, 90 Hualapai and 30 Maricopa Indians in and around Hualapai, Date Creek and Santa Maria river. Gen. Crook is determined to admit no more Apache—Mohave Indians on reservations unless they go to the guardhouse. He will not trust them to run at large on the reservations any more. At Date Creek, there is but one Apache—r4ohave Indian, and he is under guard.

20125, 20126. Office Supt. Ind. Affairs Arizona Terty., Prescott, Sept. 30th, 1872. Hon. F.A. Walker, Commissioner Indian Affairs, Washington- D.C. (letter)

Office Supt. md. Affairs Arizona Terty. Prescott Sept. 30th, 1872 Hon. F.A. Walker Commissioner Indian Affairs Washington- D.C. Sir: I have the honor to submit the following Report of General Information for the month of September, 1872. I returned to my office on the 9th inst., being delayed at San Francisco to perfect arrangements for supplying and feeding the Indians in accordance with Telegram from your office dated Aug. 5th, 1872. On my arrival at Arizona City, I was met by Dr. Wilbur, Agent for the Papagos who kindly assisted me in making the necessary arrangements to transport the Indians, who had returned with me from Washington, to their respective homes. It was my intention on my way from the Colorado River to Prescott, to stop at Camp Date Creek, interview the Apache Mojaves & Apache Yumas on reserve at that point, & through their representatives who had accompanied me to Washington; again to convey to them the good intentions of the Government, and present to their Chiefs (Ocho-ca-ma & Tho-mas-pai) the medals given me (through Gen. Howard) by the President for the above named Chiefs. On my arrival at Date Creek I was met by Gen’l. Crook, who informed me that he had come to Date Creek, to arrest Ocho—ca-ma, Chief of the Apache Mojaves for the murder of Col. Leihy late Suptd’t. md. Affrs. for this Territory and also to arrest three Indians who participated in the killing of Loring & party in the Wickenburg Stage Massacre; he (Gen’l. Crook) informing me that he had positive information, that the Indians he intended to arrest were guilty of the crime of which they were charged. I also learned from Agent Williams that the Indians (especially the Apache Mojaves) under the leadership of Ochoc a—ma, had behaved very bad during my absence from the Territory, had refused to obey the Agent, left the Reserve without permission and were insolent and defiant. I sent for the Chiefs, told them that I wanted to talk with them and would meet them that evening. On assembling in Council I found that but few Indians were on the Reservation; not more than fifty were present at the Council & the Chiefs refused to give me my information concerning the absentees. At the termination of my interview Gen’l. Crook attempted to arrest the guilty Indians, who resisted and in the fight one soldier was stabbed one Indian was killed and as I am informed several were afterwards reported wounded. The Indians stampeded from the Post & fled to the Mountains. Ocho-ca-ma was arrested & taken to the Guard-house but subs equently escaped. It is evident that the depredations committed in the valleys between Date Creek & the Colorado River previous to this affair, Office Supt. md. Affairs Arizona Terty. Prescott Sept. 30th, 1872 Continued- were committed by these Indians, and their absence from the Reservation was for no good purpose. During the month the Military have been active in scouting after these Indians; on the 27th ultimo (40) forty of them were killed & (10) ten taken prisoners. On the 30th ultimo (17) seventeen were killed at Squaw Peak (50) fifty miles from Prescott, on whose persons were found ration returns dated as issued up to the 29th ult. The Apaches at Camp Grant and Camp Apache, still remain on the Reserves; and I believe with judicious management will stay & conform to the rules established by the Government for their benefit. At Camp Verde the Indians have been coming & going. It is evident that they are anxious to receive rations, but not willing to remain within the Reservation limits. Mr. Jacobs having been relieved from the Agency at Camp Grant, is now en route to Camp Verde, and I hope in my next report to give more favorable accounts of the condition of affairs at that Reserve. The condition of the Pimas & Maricopas, Papagos, Mojaves, and Hualpais remains unchanged, the former are now enjoying the benefit of a fair average crop, and the Hualpais are assisting Gen. Crook as Scouts against the hostile Apache, and I anticipate no trouble from them. Ample arrangements for feeding the Indians at the various Reservations have been made and sufficient supplies are en route to guard against any contingency. I respectfully call the attention of the Hon. Commissioner to my letter of the 21st ult. regarding the purchase of Clothing and Blankets for the Indians; the weather in some parts of the Territory is very severe and unless these articles are purchased & issued, great suffering will necessarily follow. The Annuity Goods for the Pimas, Maricopas, Papagos, and Mojaves have all been sent, and are being issued to said Indians. I am Sir, Very respectfully, Your obd’t. servt., H. Bendell, Superintendent.

20055. The Arizona Miner, Prescott, Arizona Territory, November 18th, 1871. Local Intelligence. A Movement Toward Vengeance. (article)

The Arizona Miner Prescott, Arizona Territory November 18th, 1871 Local Intelligence. A Movement Toward Vengeance. The Wickenburg Massacre nearly called forth another terrible retribution on the heads of the murderers, at the hands of our citizens. It is not surprising that the people of Arizona should have become well nigh frenzied by the criminal courtesy shown the Assassin of the Indian Bureau: and the result of this frenzy would, inevitably, have been the justifiable massacre of every Indian on the Date Creek reservation, were it not for the complete confidence which the people have in Gen. Crook, and which, at the eleventh hour, influenced them to let the matter rest in his hands feeling satisfied that he will do justice in the matter, so far as he has the authority to act. No sooner had it been established beyond the possibility of mistake that the murder was perpetrated by Indians and that the Indians were in part, if not wholly, from the Date Creek reservation, than a party of some sixty citizens was organized to take vengeance upon the murderers, and soon declared itself in readiness to move. About this time, a few members of the party- more thoughtful than their comrades— whose course we heartily commend, were instrum ental in staying proceedings for the time, and finally in causing the abandonment of the project, through deference for the presence of Gen. Crook- knowing well that he would leave no means untried to have the matter properly attended to. And here let us add that this is not a case wherein justice can be done by simply killing the actual murderers, provided they should be discovered; there is not one Indian in the whole neighborhood, either on the reservation or elsewhere, who was not aware that the murder was to be perpetrated. These are all responsible- and the sacrifice of the worthless lives of the whole tribe would not compensate for the loss of the least one among the victims.