USA > Arizona > History of Arizona, Vol. IV > Part 10
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The killing of Agent Leihy and his companion was entirely due to his own negligence. He had been warned not to travel without a sufficiently large escort, but wilfully disregarded the warn- ing, and paid the penalty of his carelessness. Another instance of this negligence or careless- ness resulted in the killing of Doctor Tappan in 1866. Dr. Tappan was escorted by Major Miller of the 14th U. S. Infantry. Major Miller said there were no Indians, but the party was waylaid in a canyon called Round Valley while
139
THE INDIANS AND THE MILITARY.
it was on its way to the Pima Villages. Dr. Tappan and four soldiers were killed, entirely through the carelessness or over-confidence of Major Miller, who said there were no Indians, and neglected to take proper precautions.
The "Arizona Miner" says that General Mc- Dowell was given a reception in Prescott on the 14th day of February, 1866, at which reception he stated that he had sent all possible troops to the Territory, including a regiment of regulars. According to the same authority, General Mc- Dowell issued a special order on February 7th, 1866, establishing a government farm at Fort McDowell in charge of Lieutenant Colonel Ben- nett, and authorized the employment of three men at $50 per month, and twenty men at $40 per month and rations, to build a ditch and drain and cultivate the soil.
On March 28th, 1866, the military headquar- ters for the Territory were removed from Pres- cott to Tucson.
140
HISTORY OF ARIZONA.
CHAPTER VII.
THE INDIANS AND THE MILITARY (Continued).
REPORT OF JOINT COMMITTEE-REGULAR TROOPS
POORLY ADAPTED TO FIGHTING INDIANS- RECOMMEND COMPANY OF RANGERS IN EACH COUNTY-CONTROVERSY BETWEEN GOVERNOR MCCORMICK AND GENERAL MCDOWELL IN REGARD TO TROOPS-"MINER" EDITORIAL ON COMMISSIONERS' REPORT ON INDIAN DIFFI- CULTIES.
The Third Legislature appointed a Joint Committee on Military and Indian Affairs, which made the following report to the re- spective houses :
"The Joint Committee on Military and In- dian Affairs hereby report that they have had the subject under careful consideration, and beg leave to present the following conclusions :
"1. That the military force now in the Ter- ritory is entirely insufficient to protect the in- habitants from the depredations of the Apaches, Pah-Utes and other hostile Indians. That it is, in fact, inadequate properly to garrison the different posts, and to defend the roads and mails, not to speak of waging an aggressive war upon the barbarous enemy, which war is posi- tively necessary to the successful opening of the country.
"2. That experience has proven that the reg- ular troops are poorly adapted to Indian fight- ing in this country; that while they hold the forts, another force must be provided for the field-a force familiar with the haunts and habits
141
THE INDIANS AND THE MILITARY.
of the Indians, and who are eager to punish them.
"That, as set forth in the letter of Governor McCormick to the Secretary of War, in June last, the qualities shown by the several com- panies of native (or Mexican) volunteers, in ser- vice during the past year, were such as prove them to be the right men in the right place, and that it is much to be regretted that they were not kept in service. That the hearty thanks of the people are due to them for their marked effi- ciency, and that we earnestly recommend the Legislative Assembly to memorialize Congress for authority to raise a full regiment of them, (if it is thought that the men can be raised, ) for the term of two years, confidently believing it to be the only step whereby the hostile savages can quickly, surely and cheaply be brought to terms. "3. That for the immediate defense of the people, the organization of a company of rangers in each county, to serve only when actually needed, is a necessity; and that it is recom- mended that an appropriation to meet the ex- penses of sustaining the same be asked of Con- gress, as a just and reasonable demand.
"4. That the management of the Indian superintendency, for some time past, has been such as to injure rather than benefit the Terri- tory. The Superintendent seems to have enter- tained the impression that he could discharge the duties of his important office by remaining in one particular locality, while it is the judgment of your committee that he should visit all parts of the Territory, and by actual observation and intercourse become familiar with the wants of the various tribes. This duty has been so en-
142
HISTORY OF ARIZONA.
tirely neglected that many of the tribes are yet ignorant of the existence of a superintendent, and have had no share in the appropriations of the Indian department. As for instance, the Mo- quis, who have within the past year sent two dele- gations to Prescott, to make inquiry on various matters with which the superintendent should long since have made them familiar.
"The present unfriendly attitude of the Pah- Utes and Wallapais may be attributed to the same inexcusable neglect. Had the superintend- ent manifested any interest in them, they might have been kept in order. But worse than all, the superintendent has been unable to control the Indians living in his own immediate vicinity, as is clearly shown by the recent affair in Skull Valley, where they were the aggressors, and far beyond the imaginary peace line created by him.
"Your committee are of the opinion that the system of donations or presents to the Indians, or of feeding them in the hope of gaining their friendship, is a false one, and that to place them upon reservations without a distinct under- standing that they are to remain there, and the necessary power to force a strict compliance with such understanding, is a stupendous farce. In conclusion, they would protest against the un- fair representations of the superintendent, that the whites are determined to wrong the Indians, and that the recent offensive movements of the former against the Pah-Utes, Yavapais and Wallapais, are to be attributed to this deter- mination.
"It is their opinion that, excepting against the Apache, who has always been considered hos- tile, the whites have not made any unfriendly
143
THE INDIANS AND THE MILITARY.
demonstration until entirely satisfied-as in the case of the Pah-Utes, Yavapais and Wallapais- that they are bent on war, and already guilty of unprovoked atrocities. In the popular judg- ment, that on the first sign of antagonism it is necessary to deal summarily and severely with all Indians, and that half-way measures are of no avail, your committee would express a hearty concurrence.
"O. D. GASS, "Chairman Council Committee. "A. E. DAVIS, "Chairman House Committee."
The following year Governor McCormick, in a letter to General McDowell, urged that more troops be sent to General Gregg, and that that officer use discretionary views in dealing with the hostile Indians, and not have to submit his campaign plans to San Francisco for approval. The Governor said that the Pah-Utes, the Hual- apais, and some of the Navajoes were on the warpath, also that the eastern tribes were active; to which General McDowell replied, under date of September 10th, 1867, in which he said that there were fourteen companies employed in northern Arizona, and thirteen companies in southern Arizona, which were all the troops that could be spared, and in which he also said that the Governor had expressed his satisfaction with this arrangement when in San Francisco. (Governor McCormick had visited San Fran- cisco in 1866 to confer with General McDowell and the military authorities on affairs in Ari- zona. ) General McDowell said, among other things: "You say men of experience are needed, as in the popular judgment here (Prescott),
144
HISTORY OF ARIZONA.
which I can most clearly demonstrate, it is impossible for the commanding officer to act promptly and with effect, unless he has permis- sion to move the troops without a delay in sub- mitting his plans to San Francisco for approval, according to the exigency of the hour. After your return to Arizona from your visit to San Francisco to confer with the military authori- ties on the conditions of this Territory, you wrote me that you found 'general satisfaction' over all arrangements for the military affairs in Arizona. These arrangements, made while both you and General Gregg were here, contem- plated the most active operations against the hostile Apaches with the forces in the District, and with these arrangements you both appeared to be satisfied, at that time. Under them Gen- eral Gregg has not been restricted from mov- ing his troops according to the exigency of the hour, and has not been required to delay in order to submit his plans for so doing to San Fran- cisco for approval. How the public have any chance of knowing what my instructions to Gen- eral Gregg are, or are not, is not seen, but it has been sufficient to form their 'popular judgment' against me, in which you concur, and as you have been furnished with copies of my letters to General Gregg, along with conditions of things, on July 23rd, I am not able to see how you can have justly concurred in it. You say, 'that in order to have anything like vigorous, speedy and aggressive operations, it seems absolutely neces- sary for the protection of life and property, and the holding of the country, that at least six cav- alry companies should at once be added to Gen- eral Gregg's command.' Your communication
145
THE INDIANS AND THE MILITARY.
will be sent to General Halleck for such further consideration as he may think proper to give it."
These cavalry companies were never fur- nished, but Arizona was left with an insufficient guard to protect herself against the Indians who, at that time, both in the west and in the east, were up in arms.
It seems that about this time a commission was appointed to inquire into the cause of In- dian difficulties on the plains, and to suggest remedial methods. This commission made its report early in 1867, and, in an editorial in the "Miner," under date of August 24th, 1867, this report was reviewed as follows:
"HUMBUG.
"The commissioners appointed some months ago to inquire into the cause of the Indian diffi- culties on the plains, and to suggest steps for their suppression, have made their report, and we find a synopsis of it in our late eastern exchanges. General Sanford, one of the com- missioners, says :
" 'To be secure it is necessary for the Govern-
ment to abstain from an aggressive war. It is plain the history of the Indian wars furnish no instance where Indians have asked for mercy, or even a cessation of the same.' He recom- mends that all troops in the Indian country be employed in garrisoning military posts to pro- tect wagon roads, railways and railroad lines, and the navigation and travel across the plains, and to punish and, if possible, kill the small thieving parties of Indians that come upon lines of travel. Commissioners should be sent to the
10
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HISTORY OF ARIZONA.
Indians and friendly relations restored. To jeopardize and sacrifice the lives of large num- bers of our people for the purpose of carrying on a frontier war against a few Indians who can readily be kept at peace, is deemed unwise.
"General Sanford, in view of the facts nar- rated, recommends that we avoid war; says, second, that final and permanent homes be pro- vided for the Indians; third, that a tribunal be established before which Indian wrongs may be redressed, and, fourth, that the Indian Bureau be organized into a Department with full author- ity to control and manage the Indian countries.
"The other commissioners report in a similar strain, and one of the Commissioners of Indian Affairs accepts their conclusion as favorable, sound and satisfactory, and gives a report to Congress by saying: 'The Indians can be saved from extinction only by consolidating them, and setting apart a territory for their exclusive occu- pation. The total cost of the Indian Bureau, in its extended form of operation, including all its expenditures, does not exceed $3,000,000 per annum.'
"Evidently all the commissioners have not had the actual experience to ascertain the cor- rect idea of the Indian character. What could be more absurd to men who have lived upon the frontier, and dealt with the redskins, than the words of General Sanford, (whoever he may be), 'that in order to secure peace it is neces- sary for the Government to abstain from aggres- sive war ?' What avail can it be to punish small thieving parties, when whole tribes are respon- sible for their depredations, and in league with them ? The Commissioner of Indian Affairs
147
THE INDIANS AND THE MILITARY.
seems eager to save the Indians from extinction. What makes him so sensitive on this point ? We doubt very much that the taxpaying Ameri- can people, especially those who know the In- dians in their true light, would wish to save them from extinction at any price, much less than $3,000,000 per annum, which the Commis- sioner seems to think a modest sum. We are not of those who would kill every Indian on sight, be he friendly or unfriendly, but we look upon all this appellation of war with the barbarians, who would impede the development and progress of civilization, as exceedingly silly and prepos- terous. The giving of blankets and beads has proven a sad farce, and it is surprising that a single man wishes to continue the practice.
"It should be made known to Congress that however well meant the reports of these Com- missioners, they display a glaring ignorance of the Indians' character and history, and are not worthy of consideration. So long as Congress is humbugged into accepting and favoring such views, so long will life and travel upon the plains be wholly insecure, so long are the great Ameri- can people at the mercy of a few thousand red devils, and power and force are the only argu- ments calculated to control. Let them know that the whites are most powerful, and soon all will be well. Let them continue to believe that we deem it necessary to propitiate them by an- nual offerings, and that we fear an aggressive war, and they will take our scalps and property for years to come."
148
HISTORY OF ARIZONA.
CHAPTER VIII.
THE SECOND LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY.
FIRST REGULAR ELECTION-GOVERNOR GOODWIN ELECTED DELEGATE TO CONGRESS-SECRETARY MCCORMICK SUCCEEDS GOODWIN AS GOV- ERNOR-MEMBERS OF LEGISLATURE-CONVEN- ING OF LEGISLATURE-MESSAGE OF ACTING GOVERNOR-CREATION OF COUNTY OF PAH- UTE-RESOLUTION OF LEGISLATURE REGARD- ING DEATH OF PRESIDENT LINCOLN-RESOLU- TION OF LEGISLATURE REGARDING TERMINA- TION OF CIVIL WAR - SETTLERS IN AND AROUND PRESCOTT ASSESS OWN PROPERTY FOR TAXATION-REPORT OF FIRST TREASURER OF TERRITORY-POPULATION.
The first regular election in the Territory was held in September, 1864. At this election John N. Goodwin, C. D. Poston, and Joseph P. Allyn, were candidates for Delegate to Congress. The vote was as follows : Counties. J. N. Goodwin.
C. D. Poston.
Union
Union
Joseph P. Allyn. Union
Yavapai
409
52
118
Mohave
80
56
29
Yuma
56
149
26
Pima
162
3
208
Total
707
260
381
Poston declared that the election of Goodwin was secured through a combination of the mili- tary and Federal authorities of the Territory, and proposed to contest the seat of Governor Goodwin in Congress, but this idea he abandoned although there may have been some truth in his charge.
Poston served as Delegate for three months during the session of 1864-65, and the record of
RICHARD C. MCCORMICK.
149
THE SECOND LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY.
his activities is given in a preceding chapter. Governor John N. Goodwin was sworn in as Del- egate on March 4th, 1865, and served until March 3rd, 1867, but it appears that he was still Gov- ernor of the Territory until April 10th, 1866, when Secretary R. C. McCormick succeeded him. Whether he drew salary as Governor and as Delegate does not appear.
The following were elected members of the second Legislative Assembly of the Territory at this general election :
COUNCIL .*
Name.
Residence. Occupation.
Age. Where Born.
Yavapai County : Henry A. Bigelow, King S. Woolsey, Robert W. Groom,
Wickenburg,
Miner
32 Massachusetts.
Agua Fria Ranch,
33 Alabama.
Prescott,
41 Kentucky.
Mohave County : William H. Hardy,
Hardyville,
Merchant
43 New York.
Yuma County : Manuel Ravena,
La Paz,
49
Italy.
Pima County : Coles Bashford,
Tucson,
Lawyer
48 New York.
Francisco S. Leon,
¥
Farmer
43 Arizona.
Patrick H. Dunne,
Printer
41 Maine.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES .*
Residence.
Occupation.
Age. Where Born.
Name. Yavapai County : James S. Giles,
Prescott,
29
Delaware.
Lynx Creek,
Miner
37 South Carolina.
Jackson McCrackin, Daniel Ellis,
Turkey Creek, Big Bng,
44
28
Tennessee.
Mohave County : Octavius D. Gass, Converse W. C. Rowell,
Callville,
Ranchero
37
Ohio.
Yuma County :
Peter Doll,
La Paz,
Miner
40 Germany.
Alexander McKey,
..
38
Kentucky.
William K. Hen- inger,
47 Virginia.
Pima County :
Daniel H. Stickney, Cababi,
27
Kentucky.
James O. Robertson,
Hardyville,
Lawyer
35
Vermont.
53 Massachusetts.
* Messrs. Leon and Dunne, and a member of the Council chosen from Pima County, in place of Mr. Aldrich, resigned, and eight members of the House from that county, names not reported, did not attend the session.
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HISTORY OF ARIZONA.
The Second Legislative Assembly convened in Prescott on the 6th day of December, 1865, and remained in session twenty-four days. Secretary R. C. McCormick was acting governor at the time and in his message to the Assembly said, in reference to agriculture and stock-rais- ing:
"I cannot too strongly urge you to encourage the pursuit of agriculture. It has been a com- mon impression without the Territory that, while our mineral lands were exceedingly rich and extensive, we were quite destitute of arable acres, and could never raise meat and bread, even sufficient for a limited population. This has arisen from the persistent misrepresenta- tions under which Arizona has suffered. It is now known that no mineral territory has a better proportion of tillable and pastoral lands, while the climate, saving in the extreme altitudes, is such as to promote the luxuriant growth of all cereals, vegetables and fruits. For cattle and sheep the grass of the valleys, plains and foot- hills is nourishing at all seasons, and it is the opinion of herdsmen of wide observation, that no better grazing country has ever been found. Mining, however rich the placers or the quartz, can seldom be made lucrative where provisions have to be supplied from a distance. The plow and the sickle must keep company with the pick and the mill; and here, where in almost every in- stance we have in close proximity to the mines, valleys easy to irrigate, and of the richest soil, the work of the gardener and the farmer cannot fail to prove profitable, and should not be neg- lected. The experiments of the settlers east- ward from Prescott, upon the Verde, and at
151
THE SECOND LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY.
Walnut Grove, upon the Hassayampa, as well as those of the ranchmen near Prescott, during the past year, have abundantly proven the agricul- tural capacity of this central country. I have not seen finer grains and vegetables than have been grown here, and while it was supposed that in all cases irrigation would be necessary, there are instances where good crops have been raised without a drop of water beyond that furnished by the spring and summer showers. As the Apache is driven back, our settlers will be able to cultivate thousands where they now occupy scores of acres, and the tame Indians will greatly increase the size of their farms. Together they will not find it difficult to supply food at low prices for a dense population, and my con- fidence in the future of the Territory is based upon this good prospect, as much as upon the extent and excellence of its mineral resources."
Speaking of the Apache: "Whose hostile presence is, and has been the chief obstacle to the growth and development of the territory, utter subjugation, even to extermination, is ad- mitted as a necessity by all who are familiar with his history and habits, and the more speedily it can be effected, the more humane it will be."
He recommended that Arizona be reinstated as a separate surveying district, saying : "How- ever efficient the surveyor-general of New Mexico may be, it is not reasonable to suppose that, hav- ing his office at a distance of some hundreds of miles, through an uninhabited country, he can promptly and properly direct the work here re- quired at his hands."
He also recommended that a petition be sent to Congress asking for a geological survey of the.
152
HISTORY OF ARIZONA.
Territory, saying: "A portion of the Territory, as large as the State of New York, is yet wholly unexplored by the white men."
In regard to the Colorado River, he said : "Confidence in the practicability of navigating the Colorado River at all seasons, as far as the new settlement of Callville, one hundred and forty miles north of Mohave, is rapidly increas- ing, and it is thought that for a great part of the Utah trade, it will prove the most expeditious and economical channel. This fact, with the impor- tance of the river to our own convenience, prompts me to suggest a renewal of the memorial to Congress, adopted by the first assembly, pray- ing for a small appropriation to remove the few obstacles which impede the progress and en- danger the safety of steamers."
At this early date, the question of acquiring a port on the Gulf of California was urged. Mr. McCormick, in this connection, said :
"For the accommodation of the southern part of the Territory, the acquisition of the port of Libertad, upon the Gulf of California, is a mat- ter of the first importance, and, whatever the controlling power in Mexico, it should be nego- tiated for at the earliest practicable moment. Its accession, with that part of the State of Sonora which lies between it and our present line, would give new life and consequence to the region below the Gila River, and be largely bene- ficial to the whole territory."
With reference to the extreme northwest quarter of the Territory, the acting governor said :
"The towns of St. Thomas and St. Joseph, on the Muddy River, the former near its junction
153
THE SECOND LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY.
with the Virgin, and the latter twelve miles from that point, and both within a distance of forty miles north of Callville, upon the Colorado, now contain quite a population, and the whole coun- try is rapidly filling with an agricultural people, chiefly from Utah."
He recommended that that part of the Terri- tory be organized into a new county.
The question of mails and stage routes also re- ceived mention by Mr. McCormick, who said: "Since the suspension of the southern overland mail, at the beginning of the war, we have had neither post route nor postoffice within the Terri- tory until during the present year. The routes now established, from Los Angeles to Prescott, from Prescott to Santa Fe, and from Tubac to Prescott, are highly acceptable, but at least two others are required for the public convenience- the old southern route, and one along the Colo- rado, from Fort Yuma to Callville, there to con- nect with one to great Salt Lake City. * *
We suffer greatly for the want of coach com- munication with California and New Mexico. * *
* Thousands of persons, both in the east and in the west, eager to visit our mines and ex- amine our country, are prevented by the great cost of private transportation. Until well-con- ducted lines of coaches are established, we can- not look for a great increase of population, however tempting our mineral wealth."
In reference to schools, Mr. McCormick says that Prescott was the only town that had taken advantage of the act of the First Legislature ap- propriating certain sums to the towns of Pres- cott, La Paz, Mohave, and Tucson. He said : "I am inclined to think that the existing provisions
154
HISTORY OF ARIZONA.
for schools in various parts of the Territory are now sufficient. As the population of the Ter- ritory increases, amendment will be needed, and will, doubtless, be provided."
In the paragraph devoted to revenue, the act- ing Governor said: "The financial condition of the Territory demands your careful attention. It is only by the practice of the strictest economy that we can keep from debt while the population is sparse and the taxable property inconsider- able. I commend to you the axiom of Cicero as no less forcible now than in his age : 'Economy is of itself a great revenue.'
"The annual report of the Territorial Treas- urer shows that the present sources of revenue have been inadequate to the payment of the cur- rent expenses of the Territory. In addition to the expenses of the year, the interest upon most of the bonds authorized under the act to provide for the contingent expenses of the Territorial gov- ernment, will have to be paid early in the ensuing year. These amount to but fifteen thousand dol- lars in all, and the interest must be punctually met. They cover all the indebtedness of the Ter- ritory, excepting what is owing on the expenses of the present year. The Treasurer suggests that a property tax be levied in order to sustain the credit of the Territory. I would propose that the receipts for the sale of the Territorial mining claims be henceforth. and until our finances are in a better condition diverted from their orig- inal destination to the payment of the current expenses of the Territory, these, with all the counties organized and the taxes regularly gath- ered will, I believe, furnish the requisite revenue if no unreasonable indebtedness be incurred.
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