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.

20072, 20073, 20074. The Army And Navy Journal, Volume IX, Number 21, Saturday, January 6th, 1872. Twenty-first Infantry. (letter)

The Army And Navy Journal Volume IX, Number 21 Saturday, January 6th, 1872 Twenty-first Infantry. From Boston a correspondent of the New York Times sends the following letter from one of the survivors of the Loring massacre, giving an account of that massacre, and reflecting on the conduct of one of the officers of this regiment with reference to it. We publish the letter as it bears a responsible signature, but shall be glad to publish any correction of its statements: Ehrenberg, A.T., December 9th, 1871. William G. Peckham, Esq. Trinity Building, New York Dear Sir: In acknowledging the receipt of your letter of November 16th, 1871, I am pleased to be able to give you an account of the death of my friend Loring, who was well known to me and whose untimely death is deeply regretted by me. We left Fort Whipple, near Prescott, Arizona Territory, on Saturday, November 4th, in the best of health and spirits. To be sure, the stage was rather crowded, but being all of such good temper we had a real nice time, Loring being the most lively of us all, anticipating a speedy return to his friends East. Well he retained his inside seat until we reached Wickenburg, on Sunday morning, November 5th, 1871, when, after leaving there, he preferred to have an outside seat, to which I most decidedly objected; but he insisted on being outside for a short time. I had two revolvers and he had none; in fact, no arms whatever. He rejected my offer of a revolver, saying at the same time, “My dear Kruger, we are now comparatively safe. I have travelled with Lieutenant Wheeler for nearly eight months, and have never seen an Indian.” Well we rolled on until about 11 AM, when the fatal attack was made. The first warning I had was the warning of the driver, who cried “Apaches! Apaches!” At the same moment the Indians, who lay concealed, fired the first volley, killing poor Loring, the driver, and the other outside passenger, a Mr. Adams. They killed also the off lead horse and wounded the other lead horse. The horses very much frightened, then ran forward about twenty yards, when they came to a sudden stop. At the same time Loring fell off the stage and so the other passenger. At the same moment the Indians fired the second volley from three sides- the both sides and rear— not more than four or five yards from the stage, killing Mr. Shohoim, one of the inside passengers, and wounding Miss Sheppard, myself and a Mr. Salmon, of Lieutenant Wheeler’s party. The latter one was mortally wounded and fell out of the stage, and crawled away, but was finally captured by the Indians, scalped and otherwise mutilated. The only one not then wounded Letter from Army and Navy Journal— Continued. was Mr. Hamel, of Lieutenant Wheeler’s party. Both he and myself commenced immediately firing. Each one fired six shots. Not having any more ammunition I ceased firing. The Indians then disappeared behind the bushes. But what a terrible spectacle it was to see the six dead bodies in plain sight! Loring was lying right under my very eyes, not yet dead, but suffering, apparently, terribly. He was shot through his left temple, his right eye, and his lungs. He suffered for about four minutes, but I am positive that he died before I made my escape. Knowing that it would be useless to attempt to escape until the Indians would come back to plunder the stage, I remained perfectly quiet, having in the mean time ascertained that Miss Sheppard was yet alive, but badly wounded. She succeeded in getting a loaded revolver from one of the killed passengers, which she gave to me. I then told her to keep cool and be ready to run as soon as I would give the signal. Well, in about six minutes of terrible suspense I saw the Indians slowly creeping toward the stage. I counted and saw plainly fifteen Indians all dressed in blue soldiers’ trousers. When they came within five yards of the stage I jumped up, yelled and fired at them. The woman, at the same time, yelled also, and we succeeded admirably in driving them off for the time being, and got time to leave the stage. Before I left the stage I cried out as loud as I possibly could if any one was left alive, but only Mr. Adams answered; but he was mortally wounded and could not even move his hands or feet, so I had to leave him to his fate. He was afterward found with his throat cut and otherwise mutilated. The Indians afterward followed me for about five miles, and I had a running fight with them until I fell in with the “buck-board.” I had to carry the wounded woman for over two miles in my left arm. I myself received one shot through the right armpit, coming out on the shoulder, and two shots in my back. The woman also had three shots, one dangerous. How I could escape with my life, and be able to save the life of Miss Sheppard, is more than I can account for. That I left my mark with the Indians, there is no doubt, because two Indians died from gun—shot wounds at Camp Date Creek Reservation; but the commanding officer refused to have the thing investigated, for fear he would find sufficient evidence that they were his pets- that is Camp Date Creek Indians. At all events there is no doubt whatever that the outrage was committed by Indians, and that by Camp Date Creek Indians, those so-called friendly Indians whom Uncle Sam feeds. After the news reached Wickenburg, we were brought to Wickenburg after sixteen hours of terrible suffering and agony. I stopped at the place of attack and closed the eyes of all my poor travelling companions. Loring, poor boy, was not mutilated, but looked calm and peaceful, excepting his fearful wounds through the head. He wore soldiers’ clothing. His hat is in my possession now; if you wish it you can have it. Loring and four of his companions in Letter from Army and Navy 3ournal- Continued. fate were decently buried the next day, Monday, November 6th, 1871, in nice coffins. I saw them buried. The other man who got scalped was buried on the road. Mr. Sexton, of the Vulture Mill, at Wickenburg, attended to the funeral. Rest assured that our friend Loring had a decent funeral. Peace be with his ashes. I forwarded everything belonging to Loring to Lieutenant Wheeler, excepting his hat, which you can have should you desire it. There are four bullet—holes through the same. What Loring lost I don’t profess to know. I know, I lost everything but my life. The Indians got, to my certain knowledge, about twenty-five thousand dollars- nine thousand dollars belonging to me and Miss Sheppard. There is not a particle of doubt in my mind that the attacking party were Indians. I have known Indians since the last five years, and cannot be mistaken; besides, all indications show that they were Indians. Every citizen here will swear to it, because these citizens tracked the Indians from the place of outrage to Camp Date Creek. But the commanding officer, Captain O’Beirne, Twenty-first Infantry, not only allowed the Indians to go unpunished, but also refused me, Miss Sheppard, the two surviving cripples, shelter. Yes sir; he ordered us off his reservation, and I wish to heaven you would publish this act of inhumanity in your New York papers. Please show this letter to Mr. Loring, Boston, Mass., who wrote to me the same time you did. I am sir, Very truly yours, William Kruger Chief Clerk to Captain C.W. Foster, Q.M., U.S.A.

20056. Arizona Citizen, Tucson, Pima County, A.T., Saturday, November 18th, 1871. Another Wholesale Indian Massacre. Six more good men... (article)

Arizona Citizen Tucson, Pima County, A.T. Saturday, November 18th, 1871 Another Wholesale Indian Massacre. Six more good men have been murdered by Indians. This terrible massacre occurred on the 5th instant nine miles west of Wickenburg. The western bound stage on that day had on board as passengers Frederick Shoholm, Frederick W. Loring, P.M. Hamel, W.C. Solomon, C.S. Adams, William Kruger, Miss Sheppard, and John Lanz, driver. When passing through an arroyo, the attack on them was made by, as is variously reported, from nine to thirty Indians, and at the onset all but Kruger and Mollie Sheppard were killed, and they both wounded. One of the men was lanced and scalped— name not reported. All the dead were brought back to Wickenburg and there buried. We heard the above last monday and the reliable details waited till this morning, when our space is nearly occupied and now can only say that Messrs. Loring, Hamel, and Solomon were members of the Wheeler Expedition; Adams, Shoholm, Kruger and Sheppard of Prescott. The murder was quite surely the work of the Apache Mohaves. A friend at Prescott promises us a complete account by next mail, which will appear in our next paper. Week after week such sad and sickening reports come to us for record, and yet there are a few men so despicably mean as to say the Indians want peace. Skylock was a saint in comparison to such heartless and avaricious wretches.