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.

***

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.

20211. The Arizona Miner, Prescott, Arizona Territory, August 21st, 1869. From Camp Date Creek (article)

The Arizona Miner Prescott, Arizona Territory August 21st, 1869 From Camp Date Creek.- Monday last, we received a call from Sergeant Wortman, of Co. B 8th Cavalry, who had just arrived here on a visit, and learned from him that private Howell, of Co. C. 8th Cavalry, the man who was wounded by Indians in the McCleave fight, died recently. His funeral was attended by the military and citizens of the post. Deceased is said to have been a good and brave soldier The health of the post was good.

20209. The Arizona Miner, Prescott, Arizona Territory, July 24th, 1869. Another Outrage by Indians. (article)

The Arizona Miner Prescott, Arizona Territory July 24th, 1869 Another Outrage by Indians. They Attack a U.S. Mail Party, Kill two Soldiers, Wound the Mail Rider, and Capture the Mail. On the afternoon of Saturday, July 17th, 80 or 100 Indians, who lay concealed on both sides of the road, near Willow Springs, between Kirkland Valley and Camp Date Creek, made an attack upon the mail party- consisting of P. Conner, the mail rider, three soldiers, and P. McAteer, a citizen of Kirkland Valley. At the time the attack was made, Mr. Conner, and two of the soldiers— privates Mudgett and Stouffer, of Company I, 14th Infantry, were in advance of the mail, and at the first fire, the two soldiers named, were shot, dead, from their animals. The mail rider was badly wounded, had to abandon his animals and the mail, and fight his way to Camp Date Creek, where he arrived next morning. McAteer and the soldier, who were behind, were also fired upon, but escaped unhurt to Kirkland Valley, followed by the Indians who came very near cutting them off and capturing them. They say the pack mule that carried the mail, followed them some dist ance. After the news reached Kirkland Valley, a party of men hastened to the scene of the attack and were preparing to take in the bodies of the soldiers, for interment, when Captain Somerby and a party of soldiers arrived from Camp Date Creek, and sent the bodies of the murdered men to Camp Date Creek, where they were buried on the morning of the 19th inst. Captain Somerby, his men, and some of the citizens, then made search for the mule and mail, but did not succeed in finding either. The Captain and party then came on to Prescott. He started back yesterday morning, with the greater part of his company and some expert guides and trailers, for the purpose of following the trail of the Indians, and, if possible, finding the mail, or a portion of it. Upon news of the disaster reaching Prescott, Postmaster Barnard procured an escort of soldiers from General Devin, and hastened to Skull Valley, in order to take charge of the mail, should it be found. The mail was a very large one, and contained many valuable letters, in which were some $18,000 or $20,000 in greenbacks, Government vouchers and checks, and checks of the Sterling Mining Company. The Postmaster has furnished us with the numbers of the registered letters sent by this mail, rec eipts for which are now held by our citizens. The numbers are as follows: 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38.

20207. The Arizona Miner, Prescott, Arizona Territory, August 10th, 1867. Indians. (article)

The Arizona Miner Prescott, Arizona Territory August 10th, 1867 INDIANS. A few days after the raid upon A.G. Dunn’s herd (Prescott) referred to in our last, the Indians came again, and took of the remainder of the horses. They made an attempt to get the cows, but were not successful. About the same time they stole three horses from the Sterling mill, and some cows from Skull Valley. They also appeared on Lynx Creek, and wounded Mr. Pearson. On Saturday last, the red devils killed at Willow Spring, near Bell’s Calion, two soldiers coming with a message from the comm andant at Camp McPherson to Gen. Gregg. Their bodies were found stripped, and the murderers secured two animals and two guns.. Walnut Grove has been visited by the savages, and numerous animals taken, Mr. Burger losing four. Early in the week two soldiers belonging to the Camp just established by Lieut. Converse, on Big Bug Creek, five miles below the mill, were shot near the mill, one it is feared, fatally. A Sergeant accompanying the mail was killed at the Willows on the Mohave road.

20196. The Arizona Miner, Prescott, Arizona Territory, April 16th, 1875. Camp Date Creek (article)

The Arizona Miner Prescott, Arizona Territory April 16th, 1875 Camp Date Creek: was our next halting place. Not a soldier was to be seen in or about the place; although it is not many years since soldiers were thick as bees here and around about. The adobe houses are fast going to ruin; the “fort” is now garrisoned by Jim O’Neill and a Mexican. Jim has a large flock of sheep in the vicinity, and the Mexican is herding cattle for C.W. Beach. I visited the “bivouac of the dead;” found many graves caved in, and the walls of the cemetery almost level with the ground. The place contains remains of a great many soldiers, many of whom were murdered by Indians. The military authorities would do well to fix up this decaying village of the dead. We spent the night at the home of William Gilson, a brave old pioneer, who with his sister and her bright little girl have a charming home on Date Creek, two or three miles below the post. Mr. Gilson has a large band of American cattle, fine farm, orchard and other good things.

20184. The Arizona Miner, Prescott, Arizona Territory, July 26th, 1873. Local & Miscellaneous. (article)

The Arizona Miner Prescott, Arizona Territory July 26th, 1873 Local & Miscellaneous. The last Of The Date Creeks.- We missed seeing two hundred or more Date Creek Indians as they passed through town Friday last, on their way to the Verde reservation, but are informed by persons who did observe them, that the great majority was composed of women and children. The women were heavily laden with baskets of truck, while the men glided easily and gracefully along, under light suits of summer clothing— heads of hair and breech—cloths. One very pretty little girl, and a boy who wore a soldier cap, appeared extremely happy.

20181. The Arizona Miner, Prescott, Arizona Territory, July 12th, 1873. Abandonment of Old Military Posts. (article)

The Arizona Miner Prescott, Arizona Territory July 12th, 1873 Abandonment of Old Military Posts. The withdrawal from this military department of five troops of the first cavalry and the consequent lessening of the number of soldiers in the department, has caused the “powers that be,” to give the word for the breaking up of Camps Hualpai, Date Creek and Beale Springs. Camp Date Creek was established early in 1865. It is on the road from Prescott to Wickenburg, Ehrenberg, Phoenix, Yuma, Florence, Tucson, and other towns in Southern Arizona, as well as to points in California. It is a very neat post in the heart of a very picturesque country, containing some good farming lands, excellent stock ranges and mineral deposits. Mr. Geo. Kimball the post trader, has a fine store building. It is his intention to stick to the place and raise stock. Date Creek has been a boarding or feeding place for Apache-Mohave and Apache-Yuma Indians ever since they have condescended to take Government rations. Near it they have committed numerous murders and robberies. As near as we can divine, Inspector General Sacket has reported in favor of the abandonment of these three posts. Hualpai will be vacated immediately, but we are not certain as to the time fixed for abandoning the other two. Neither are we prepared to say whether any of them are to be abandoned for good.

20180. The Arizona Miner, Prescott, Arizona Territory, June 28th, 1873. We learn that Captain Burns... (article)

The Arizona Miner Prescott, Arizona Territory June 28th, 1873 We learn that Captain Burns, commanding at Camp Date Creek, took 30 loaded guns from Tumaspie’s band of Indians, while they were at his post, en-route to the Verde. The Indians gave up their guns reluctantly, when they saw themselves surrounded by Americans and Wallapai soldiers. Old Tumaspie tried to run away, but seeing that he could not make it, made the best of what he thought a dangerous necessity. Some of the Date Creek’s are still out.

20175. The Arizona Sentinel, Yuma, Arizona Territory, May 24th, 1873. DISCOVERED.- We have it from undoubted authority (article)

The Arizona Sentinel Yuma, Arizona Territory May 24th, 1873 DISCOVERED.- We have it from und oubted authority, and the proof is conclusive, that “Chimehuevi Sal,” chief of the Date Creek Indians who were in search of human and other game in our vicinity a few weeks ago, was the leader of the band of fiends who murdered boring and party near Wickenburg in 1871. When capt ured, or when he surrenders with his band, he will, no doubt, be presented with an extra blanket, a Winchester rifle, and all the ammunition he wants.

20173. The Arizona Miner, Prescott, Arizona Territory, May 17th, 1873. Our Peace Prospects. (article)

The Arizona Miner Prescott, Arizona Territory May 17th, 1873 Our Peace Prospects. Then, again, it is a well known fact that Date Creek Indians hoarded up rations and stored them in the mountains to be prep ared for any emergency. Here is the undeniable proof; when the Apache-Mohaves were to be removed from Date Creek to the Verde, they were led to believe until a day or two before they started, that they would have to carry with them in the best way they could, whatever they wished to take, and they made their coll ection of baggage very small, and clamored for transportation, but when Capt. Price hired wagons to carry their stuff, and told them to take all they had, they went out into the mountains and brought in quantities of plunder, such as none but Indians would move a rod; and also hundreds of pounds of flour, jerked beef, and other rations which had been issued to them at the post, and had been safely stored away by the wily wretches, for time of need. Can any one doubt that Jemaspie and his band, who refused to go with the rest to the Verde, were well provided with rations similarly hoarded up? Is it not reasonable to suppose that after a season of rest and time for accumulation of food, the red- skinned devils will be restless and anxious to steal a few head of stock, kill a few settlers and travellers, and have an old- fashioned war dance or two? Knowing that the force that whipped them into peace has been taken away north to fight other Indians, will they not be more likely to make the war-path than if that force were still here and watching them? Let no one who is exposed, flatter himself for an instant, that he is safe. Let no one outside of Arizona, suppose that our Apache troubles are over, until time has demonstrated the fact that the fighting fostered in Apache veins for 300 years, has been whipped out of those now living, by this last campaign, the only one in which the Apache nation was ever whipped. Do not infer that the Miner has suddenly turned from joy over the surrender of 4,000 Apaches, to fear of them while they are at peace, but only that the possibilities and probabilities of the immediate future deserve careful attention.

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.

20171. The Arizona Miner, Prescott, Arizona Territory, May 10th, 1873. Lieut. Schuyler, with 360 Date Creek Indians in charge (article)

The Arizona Miner Prescott, Arizona Territory May 10th, 1873 Lieut. Schuyler, with 360 Date Creek Indians in charge, arrived at Point of Rocks, about seven miles from Prescott, on Tuesday, and camped there waiting for Miller Bro.’s ox train, which is carrying the baggage and rations, until Thursday. A good many of the Indians were in town Wednesday.

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.

20169. The Arizona Sentinel, Yuma, Arizona Territory, May 10th, 1873. Dispersed.- We have information that Pascual (article)

The Arizona Sentinel Yuma, Arizona Territory May 10th, 1873 Dispersed.— We have information that Pascual, the Yuma chief and his tribe, have dispersed the Date Creek Indians that were prowling in this vicinity of late.

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.

20167. The Arizona Miner, Prescott, Arizona Territory, May 3rd, 1873. Indian Items. We learn that since Sunday... (article)

The Arizona Miner Prescott, Arizona Territory May 3rd, 1873 Indian Items. We learn that since Sunday, the 27th ult., more than 200 Indians have left the Date Creek reservation. The removal of all the Indians from Date Creek to the Verde reservation, had been determined on, and many of them refused to go. Their removal was to commence May 1st, and Jemaspie and his band skedaddled. It is conjectured that they may have gone to the Colorado reservation, where some of them have had a residence before. Some of these high-toned Apache-Mohaves say they will fight before they will go to the Verde. Let them sail in; the quicker they make a fight the sooner we shall get rid of the wretches, and it makes no difference where they start from. Some of them are sure to break out from any reservation they may go to, sooner or later. Just as we go to press, an officer from Fort Whipple informs us that the Indians, to the number of 400 to 450, started quietly on Thursday for the Verde reservation. Lieut. Schuyler, with a detachment of 25 men, is escorting the party. Some of Jemaspie’s band had returned and are with the party. About 100 are supposed to be in the mountains, and as Capt. McGregor is in that section with his company, the Indians will be likely to see trouble unless they keep quiet.

20166. The Arizona Miner, Prescott, Arizona Territory, April 26th, 1873. In the direction of Camp Date Creek, (article)

The Arizona Miner Prescott, Arizona Territory April 26th, 1873 In the direction of Camp Date Creek, there is observable a small dark cloud. Some of the Indians of that feeding post have not, as Judge Cartter would say, been ‘educated,’ and they actually refuse to go upon the Verde reservation. Gen. Crook made a rapid horse-back ride to Date Creek and back this week. While there, we learn from Mr. Frank Murray, of Date Creek, that Crook spoke very plainly to the Indians, giving them good advice, which they had better follow. Jemaspie and Ochocama- two principal chiefs- said they would not go to the Verde, but they will have to go there or take to the mountains, in which latter case, they will be very apt to meet bands of Crook’s white and red soldiers, who are, just now, “all fixed” for soothing the breasts of such murderous savages as Ochocama and his followers, whose excuses for not wishing to go to a place where, in a short time, they would be self sustaining and happy in the possession of prope rty, was that they did not like to leave the home of their childhood, and go among strange Indians, who, they alleged, would steal and blame it upon them (the Date Creeks.) Again, if they went to the Verde, their squaws would bewitch the men of the tribe. This reasoning will not serve their purpose. About the first of May is fixed for their departure, and both Indian and military officers have already made the necessary arrangements for their removal.

20165. The Arizona Miner, Prescott, Arizona Territory, March 29th, 1873, Indian News. Glorious Victory! (article)

The Arizona Miner Prescott, Arizona Territory March 29th, 1873 Indian News. Glorious Victory! Forty Seven More Apaches Pacified. Captain Randall Makes a Ten-Strike! We may be excused by the Quaker philanthropists for a little exultation in this issue of the Miner, on account of the speedy retribution which has been meted out to the murderers of Gus. Swain, 3ohn McDonald and Taylor. On the 11th of March , these three men were slaughtered by a large band of Apaches. Within twenty days after the murders were committed 79 of the warriors composing the band have been killed, and 26 of their women and children made prisoners. Since our last issue, Lieut. Rice, from Camp Date Creek, has arrived at Fort Whipple. Lieut. Rice had a number of Apache-Mohave Indians from the Date Creek Reservation and Dan O’Leary and Sam. Ball as guides and trailers, and went to the scene of the massacre, and followed the trail of the redskins till they crossed the trail of the party from McDowell, who were on the same track. Lieut. Rice procured sufficient evidence to make it certain that young Taylor was captured alive and subjected to most horrible torture. The Apache-Mohaves with Lieut. Rice declared that the Indians who committed the outrage were Pinals. After striking the trail of the McDowell party, Lieut. Rice turned toward Prescott and arrived at Fort Whipple on Saturday last, having followed the trail from the Hassayampa creek toward Tonto Basin, across the Agua Fria, and returning to Fort Whipple via Humbug creek. An express arrived at Whipple Sunday evening, from Captain G.M. Randall, of Camp Apache, stating that he had met the foe and killed 47 warriors and captured 7 squaws. The news was received in Prescott about sundown, and the rejoicing was general.

20164. The Arizona Miner, Prescott, Arizona Territory, March 29th, 1873. A.C. Swain, recently murdered by Indians (article)

The Arizona Miner Prescott, Arizona Territory March 29th, 1873 A.C. Swain, recently murdered by Indians was a native of Georgia; aged about 40 years. He was the last of a party of some 10 brave men, who at an early date, settled at Walnut Grove, and every one of whom has been murdered by Indians. He has a brother in Texas. Geo. W. Taylor was a native of Scotland; aged about 21 years. His father and mother reside near Wickenburg, in this county, and are, we learn, well nigh crushed with grief for the loss of their beloved boy. Little is known of John McDonald; that is by us.

20163. The Arizona Miner, Prescott, Arizona Territory, March 22nd, 1873. After the Murderers- Lieutenant Wm. F. Rice... (article)

The Arizona Miner Prescott, Arizona Territory March 22nd, 1873 After the Murderers- Lieutenant Wm. F. Rice, 23rd Infantry, guide, D. O’Leary, 50 mounted soldiers and 20 friendly Indians, left Camp Date Creek early Tuesday last, to follow the trail of the savage gang that murdered Swain, McDonald and Taylor. Lieut. Rice will do all that can be done to overtake and punish the imps. Another party was sent out from Camp McDowell.