USA > Arizona > History of Arizona and New Mexico, 1530-1888, Volume XVII > Part 79
USA > New Mexico > History of Arizona and New Mexico, 1530-1888, Volume XVII > Part 79
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736
INDIAN AND MILITARY AFFAIRS.
venience of grazing; and their habit of burning every house in which a person had died, preventing the wealthy Indians from building permanent homes. Except in the partial adoption of the white man's dress, there was no modification of their old customs. Toward their civilization no progress whatever was inade. A school was in existence much of the time, but the attendance was very small, the tribe not com- pelling attendance, as promised in the treaty, and the government not fulfilling its treaty obligation to build school-houses and furnish teachers. The old buildings at Fort Defiance were always in a dilapidated condi- tion; and the ageney was so near the reservation lines that outside whiskey-traders were given too great facilities. The reservation was several times extended, until it covered an area, for the most part sterile, of over eight million acres. The railroad along their southern border brought both good and evil to this people. The Navajos still live, in the old way, where they have lived for centuries; and while their pros- perity in some respects has been remarkable, it is to be noted that all is due to their own original and inherent qualities, and nothing to their contact with a superior race. Here, as elsewhere, prospects for the future are not encouraging.
The Comanches, Kiowas, and other tribes of the eastern plains were somewhat troublesome in 1864-6, and several expeditions under Carson, McCleave, and others were sent against them from Fort Bascom as a base by General Carleton; but later, so far as New Mexico was concerned, there were no hostilities, though complaints of trading in stolen goods occasionally appear.15
The Jicarilla Apaches, from 750 to 950 in number,
15 Carleton's Corresp., 268-9; Carson, Papers, MS .; Hayes' Scraps, Angeles, viii. 443; Ariz., i. 274; S. Cal., Wilmington, 59. Carson had a fight in Nov. '64, and in May '65 was ordered to estab. a post at Cedar Bluffs or Cold Spring to protect the Cimarron ronte. An agency at Ft Bascom was pro- posed in '66, and all trading licenses were revoked. Some complaints in 70-1.
737
JICARILLAS AND UTES.
and the three bands of Utes, numbering from 1,500 to 1,800, continued to live for the greater part of the period under consideration in the northern portions of the territory, with agencies at Cimarron, east of the Rio Grande, and at Abiquiú, or finally at Tierra Amarilla, in the west. I append lists of agents suc- cessively in charge at the two agencies.16 What has been said in an earlier chapter respecting the char- acter and conduct of these Indians requires no modi- fication or supplement here. They were always nominally at peace, though committing many petty thefts, and accused of many depredations of which they were probably not guilty; they were worthless, drunken vagabonds, especially the Jicarillas, visiting the agencies only to receive their annual allowance of goods, and spending their time in hanging about the settlements, where they were a great nuisance, or- especially the Utes-in hunting expeditions; and they were always averse to settlement, work, or removal, preferring and claiming the right to roam at will, and to receive liberal annuities on condition of abstaining fromn depredations.
In the chronologic record of Ute and Jicarilla affairs there is nothing requiring notice except the efforts to effect their removal and final settlement. There was no improvement in their condition, and no effort was made to improve or educate them. They were simply
16 Cimarron agents, Jicarillas and Mohuache Utes: Levi J. Keithly 1864-5 (Ferd. Maxwell spec. agent in '64), Lorenzo Labadi 1865-6, Manuel S. Sala- zar 1866, E. B. Dennison 1866-70, W. P. Wilson 1870, Charles F. Roedel 1870-2. The agency was now abolished, but the Ind. remained, and were in charge of R. H. Longwell 1872-3, Thos A. Dolan 1873-4, Longwell 1874, Alex. G. Irvine 1874 5, John E. Pyle 1875-6, and B. M. Thomas (Pueblo agent) 1876-83, when the Ind. were finally removed.
Abiquiú and Tierra Amarilla agents, Capote and Payuche Utes, also some Jicarillas at times: Head or Pfeiffer (?) 1864-5, Diego Archuleta 1865-7 (Manuel García spec. agent), W. F. M. Arny 1837-8, James C. French 1868-9, John Ayers 1869, J. B. Hanson 1839-71 (Capt A. S. B. Keyes also named in '69), John S. Armstrong 1871-2 (agency transf. from Abiquiu to Tierra Amarilla), W. S. Defrees 1872-3, W. D. Crothers 1873-4 (C. Robbins and F. Salazar also named as being in charge in '74), Sam. A. Russell 1874 8. The Utes were removed and agency abolished in '78, but the remaining Jicarillas were in charge of B. M. Thomas, the Pueblo agent, in 1878-83, and the farmers in charge were J. M. Roberts 1878-9, J. B. Holt 1879-80, W. B. Jones 1880-2, and F. W. Reed 1882-3.
HIST. ARIZ. AND N. MEX. 47
738
INDIAN AND MILITARY AFFAIRS.
given a small annual supply of goods, and thus in- duced to keep the peace. Their homes were on pri- vate lands, and it was understood by all that they must go elsewhere. They were generally unwilling to make any change; when they were favorably disposed the government failed to act promptly until the Indians had changed their mind, or perhaps selected some destination that had never been favored by them. The Utes at Abiquiú pretended at times a willingness to settle on a reservation in the San Juan valley, but this was not acceptable to the government, though often recommended by agents. It was deemed desir- able to move them to the reservation of their tribe in Southern Colorado; and in 1868 a treaty was made to that effect; but the Utes refused to go, alleging that the treaty had been fraudulent, and dissatisfied because an agency site had not been chosen on Los Pinos Creek, as promised. Their view of the matter was sustained by many, including the legislature, In 1872 the agency was moved from Abiquiú to Tierra Amarilla, farther north. In 1873, by another treaty, the Utes promised to go to Colorado 'after a while;' but again became disgusted with the choice of an agency site, and with having to go north for their goods before final transfer. By several acts of con- gress, however, of 1877-8, and by abolishing the southern agency, they were finally removed to the Col- orado reservation in April to July 1878; and New Mexico was thus rid of them.
The Jicarillas it was at first desired to remove to Bosque Redondo, but they were unwilling to go there, and General Carleton was unwilling to receive them. In 1870 the Maxwell rancho was sold, and this still further complicated matters, as the Indians had an idea that they were the real owners. The suspension of annuities in 1871, a measure adopted for effect on the Utes, greatly disgusted the Jicarillas. In 1872 the Cimarron agency was nominally abolished, and an effort was made to move the Indians south to Fort
739
JICARILLAS AND PUEBLOS.
Stanton or Tularosa, but most of them were permitted to go to Tierra Amarilla, though rations were still distributed in the east. In 1874 a reservation of 900 square miles was set off east of the Navajo reserve and north of the river; but nothing further was done toward moving the Indians, who seem to have been willing, though refusing to go south. There was an act of 1878 requiring them, on the departure of the Utes, to be sent to Fort Stanton, and 32 of those at Cimarron went there; but the rest refused, and on the suspension of supplies committed many thefts. In 1880 they desired a home in the north; five chiefs visited Washington; the act of 1878 was repealed; and in July a new reservation on the Rio Navajo was sclected, to which they were removed in December. Here they lived until 1883, when, against the views of the military authorities, they were again transferred to Fort Stanton, where they have since remained.17 (On April 13, 1887, the day that this page goes into type, the newspapers announce that they are to be re- turned to the northern reservation.)
A list of agents in charge of the pueblos is given in a note,18 to which is added a brief chronologic
17 In a recent article in the Century (1887), it is stated that 100 Jicarillas have left the reserv. and bought lands north of Sta Fé, paying in horses, and founding a colony. Besides the annual Ind. Aff. Repts, see U. S. Govt Doc., 41st cong. 2d sess., Sen. Mis. Doc. 97; 43d cong. Ist sess., H. Ex. Doc. 130; 2d sess., H. Ex. Doc. 138; 45th cong. 2d sess., Sen. Doc. 8, 21; N. Mex., Laws, 1369-70, appen. 6-10; Id., 1870-2, p. 68-9; Dead Men's Gulch, MS., 4; Dix- on's White Conquest, i. 215, etc .; Sac. Rescue, June 13, 1872.
18 Pueblo agents: John Ward 1864-8 (Toribio Romero also in '66), Charles L. Cooper 1869-71 (Geo. E. Ford spec. agent in '69), W. F. M. Arny 1871-2, John O. Cole 1872-3, Ed. C. Lewis 1873-4, B. M. Thomas 1874-83, Pedro Sanchez 1883-4.
1864. Pueblo grants patented, all but two, amounting to 687 sq. miles. Retrograde in education since '46. In 10 years but one charge of theft against a Pueblo . Ind. in Ist district, embracing half of the pueblos. Pop. 7,066. Grants of 15 towns cover 434,864 acres.
1865. Crops largely lost by flood and grasshoppers. All the grants but those of Laguna and Acoma patented.
1866. Supt urges that the sale of liquor be prohibited; also sales of lands, past sales being annulled; and that suits against Ind. be brought only in U. S. courts. None of the younger Ind. can read or write, nor do they learn to speak Spanish or English. Catholic efforts for schools meet no encouragement from Ind. or govt. Gov. says pop. is 7,066, families 1,282, children 2,084; only 49 can read and write. 1867. Decision of Justice Slough that the Ind. are citizens.
740
INDIAN AND MILITARY AFFAIRS.
summary of their record for these years, as drawn from agents' reports and other sources. Their number was
1868. Ind. complain that so much is done for others and nothing for them. No resident priests except at S. Juan and Isleta. Some encroach- ment on Ind. lands; and some damage by floods. Report in favor of Sta Ana land claim. U. S. Govt Doc., 40th cong. 2d sess., H. Rept 70.
1869. Ind. much imposed on under the citizenship decision of '67, subse- quently confirmed by Chief Justice Watts; case carried to U. S. sup. court; agents oppose the decision, and Ind. do not wish to be citizens.
1870. Approp. of $5,000, and some implements distrib. Some Ind. de- clined them because there were not enough for all. The gov.'s message con- tains statistics.
1871. Approp. of $5,000. Arny's report contains full statistics, as follows: Ind. pop. 7,310, white pop. on pueblo grants 5,543; able to read and write 57; teachers 13 (bnt really no schools in actual operation). Zuñi is not in- cluded in the report. Zuui and Sta Ana had no grants of land; while those of Laguna and Acoma were not surveyed. As to the white residents, the Ind. were generally willing to let old settlers remain, and A. opposes their removal, but would prohibit further sales and require each settler to prove 5 years' residence, no family to have over 160 acres. Yet there were many disputes about land and water, and many complaints of illegal trade and trespass. Pop. by pueblos as follows: Acoma 344, Cia 121, Cochití 243, Isleta 768, Jemes 344, Laguna 927, Nambé 78, Pecos 35 (living at Jemes), Picuri 127, Pujuaque 32, S. Felipe 482, S. Ildefonso 156, S. Juan, Sandía 186, Sta Ana 1,530, Sta Clara 189, Sto Domingo 735, Taos 397, Tesuque 98.
1872. Pop. 7,683. Some controversy on relig. matters. Citizenship question still pending. Ind. have served on juries. All teachers not able to teach English discharged; 5 or 6 schools doing fairly well. Arny went east and made arrangements for teachers for 14 pueblos, paid half by govt and half by religious bodies.
1873. Failure of crops. No drunkenness. No justice in Mex. courts. Confirmation of the citizenship decision by U. S. sup. court feared, as it would deprive the Ind. of all protection. Priests hinder all educational efforts, not favoring instruction in English.
1874. Crops good. S schools with 298 pupils (or 6 with 170). Opposition to educ. decreasing. 1875. 7 schools, 139 pupils. Women's industrial school at Cochití. Some pueblos need more land. 1876. Presbyterian mis- sion at Laguna under Rev. Menaul and wife.
1877. Numbers slowly decreasing (?). Six schools, 155 pupils; attendance irregular. Mission at Laguna has 50 pupils and a printing-press. Bad crops. Land set apart for Zuñi. Jemes in the courts succeeded in ejecting settlers. Boundary troubles between Acoma and Laguna, caused by interference of settlers.
1878. Good progress in schools. School at Jemes opened and doing well. Zuñi school under Rev. H. K. Palmer and wife opened, but had to be closed. Llewellin Harris, Mormon missionary, claims to have cured many of small-pox, exciting jealousy of the presb. at Zuñi. Near Z. was a Mormon settlement of Savoya (Sevilla or Cebolla). Spencer's Labors in the Vineyard, 61-4.
1879. Zuñi school under Rev. T. F. Ealy, M. D., 44 scholars, many of whom died of small-pox. 20-30,000 sheep. Pop. 9,013. School at Jemes under Dr Shields and 2 young women from Pa.
1880. The railroads cut several pueblo grants, causing much trouble about right of way. Schools at Laguna, Zuni, and Jemes prosperous. 10 children, half from Zuñi, sent to Carlisle, Pa, for education. A witch exe- cuted at Zuñi.
1881. Exact census 9,060. School at Zuni, S. A. Bentley and Miss Ham- maker; at Laguna Rev. Menaul and Miss Perry; at Jemes J. M. Shields and Miss Harris; average attendance at the 3 schools 81. In Jan. a boarding and industrial school opened at Alburquerque by presb., 40 pupils. 10 more
741
PUEBLO INDIANS.
given as from 7,000 to 9,000 ; but in the earlier estimates and counts the Zuñis seem to have been omitted, and the real number may be regarded as having increased from about 8,500 to somewhat over 9,000. They are still the same peaceable and inoffensive, industrious, simple, credulous, and superstitious people that they have always been. In their character and primitive manner of life there has been no essential change. They were neglected during this later period by the priests, and the work of protestant missionaries has but slightly affected them; though at Laguna a body of so-called protestants became strong enough to en- gage in certain controversies. Except in paying an agent's salary, appropriating $10,000 in 1871-2 for implements, and paying a part of teachers' wages, the government did nothing for them, and they have given the military and civil authorities no trouble. Their land grants were patented and surveyed, though a few boundary disputes occurred later, and the Indians have been often imposed upon by trespassing settlers. For some seven or eight years from 1867 a decision of the supreme court that the Pueblos were entitled to the privileges of citizenship caused much trouble, because, while they did not desire these privileges, a way was opened to great wrong to them in suits with settlers tried before local courts. I have not found the final decision, if there was one, by the United States courts; but there seems to have been no com- children sent to Pa. Map showing location of pueblo grants, in U. S. Govt Doc., 47th cong. Ist sess., H. Mis. Doc., xx., 319.
1882. Trouble with R. R. at Sto Domingo, the Ind. refusing right of way and land for station. Schools somewhat prosperous, though the priests work against them, and Ind. do not wish the children to be anything but Ind. City of Alburquerque gave 65 acres of land for the school under J. S. Shearer, and later R. W. D. Bryan. A reader printed in Laguna language. 18 children at Carlisle, Pa, school when 5 Ind. went to visit them, and were much pleased.
1883-4. Good progress under Agent Sanchez, but the leasing of lands by Ind. as at Acoma is bad. On the Alburquerque school, which had as high as 114 pupils of different tribes besides the pueblos, see N. Mex. Indian School, a collection of printed sheets, from newspapers, etc .; also Bryan's Albur- querque Ind. School, MS. I might add many references to descriptive matter on the Pueblo manners and customs, language, origin, traditions, and early annals; but these have properly no place in connection with my present sub- ject.
742
INDIAN AND MILITARY AFFAIRS.
plaint since 1875. In education, from about 1873, earnest efforts were made by the presbyterians, aided by the government; and schools were established at several pueblos with considerable success, especially at Laguna, Zuñi, and Jemes. Some 20 children were also sent to Carlisle, Pennsylvania, to be taught; and in 1881 an Indian boarding-school was founded at Alburquerque, where in later years over 100 pupils from all the tribes were gathered; and at latest ac- counts the results were most encouraging. This is almost the only ray of light penetrating the blackness of prospective Indian affairs in New Mexico.
Of the Apaches, the Mescaleros are the only band besides the Jicarillas whose annals can be presented separately. I append a list of their agents, and a chronologic résumé.19 The Mescaleros were in many
19 Mescalero agents: Lorenzo Labadi 1864-9 (though at times there was practically no agent), A. G. Hennisee 1869-71, A. J. Curtis 1871-3, S. B. Bushnell 1873-4, W. D. Crothers 1874-6, F. C. Godfroy 1876-9, S. A. Rns- sell 1879-81, W. H. H. Llewellyn 1881-4.
1864. At Bosque Redondo much dissatisfied with the presence of the Na- vajos, of whom they killed 64 in two fights. Behaved well in other respects, selling 84,000 worth of fruit and vegetables, but lost most of their corn crop. Pop. 427.
1865. Pop. 472. No change. 1866. Did well until Nov. 3d, when all but 9 left the reserv. on account of troubles with the Navajos, going more or less on the war-path. The agent was accused of stealing cattle, or at least of ir- regularities in trading, and was sent off by Gen. Carleton. 1867. No change.
1868. Agency nominally at Agua Negra, but the Ind., 525 strong, never visited it, and continued their depred. No approp. for several years. They would probably accept a reserv. at Ft Stanton, but never at the Bosque.
. 1869. No change. Ind. not seen except by Lieut. Stanwood on a scout. Agency at Ft Stanton, where a reserv. with 500 acres of good land seems to have been set off (probably the mil. reserve). 1870. No change, except that the Mescalero and southern agencies are said to have been consolidated in July.
1871. Agent Curtis found 27 Ind. on the reserv. and soon had 325, ex- pecting the rest of the 760. Prospects good if means are supplied.
1872. Mescal. over 800 and other Apaches over 1,000 at Ft Stanton. Prom- ises not kept by govt. Great need of clothing and of mil. protection, as the Navajos have made some raids (?). Whiskey causes much trouble. Reserv. to be chosen this winter. Legisl. recommends a reserv. S. E. of the fort. 300 Apaches from Tularosa came in, but the Mescal. were opposed to their remain- ing.
1873. Reserv. set off, but not surveyed. Ind. roving and committing many depred. In Sept. all but 200 ran away on account of the arrest of certain Ind. as hostages for the return of stolen property. Traders too influential, but Bushnell attempted reforms.
1874. Reserv. of 675 sq. m. by order of Feb. 29, '73, and Feb. 2, '74.
743
THE MESCALEROS.
respects similar to the Jicarillas. They sometimes, however, engaged in farming, and they also at times joined the other Apache bands in their raids. Their number was between 600 and 800. About 400 were gathered at the Bosque Redondo until November 1866, when, on account of their quarrels with the Na-
From 300 to 700 on or near the reserv .; disposed to roam, but few depred. Not much agric. land, and no disposition to engage in farming.
1875. Ind. accused of depred. and attacked by settlers in Jan. They ran away and were again attacked and a few killed. They were brought back in a starving condition. Inspector McNulta reported that the Ind. were not to blame. A school-house ready.
1876. Reserv. extended by order of Oct., but not yet suitable. Whiskey and the proximity of 2 Mex. settlements do much harm. Ind. work well; have 597 horses and 122 mules. Some feuds with Hot Spring Ind. Mescal. can be made self-supporting in 3 years; they have been grossly misrepre- sented
1877. Reserv. unfit; agency or settlers must be removed. No buildings. Agent has selected a site at Elk Spring, 15 m. east. Ind. behave well. Would do better in stock-raising than agric. Work interrupted by small- pox. Reserv. raided by Texans in July, and 13 horses driven off. Much illegal traffic. On account of disorders, agent will have to remove his fam- ily.
1878. Settlers of two factions engaged in murderous warfare. Ind. much alarmed. Two bands have quit the reserv. Agency must be moved from the main road, and out of the way of Amer, and Mexicans. School doing well, considering circumstances.
1879. Very little planting and only 600 acres fit for cultivation. Ind. kill their horses to eat at feasts. No school; no proper buildings. Victorio and his band came in from S. Carlos, Ariz. Gen. Pope thinks the Mescaleros do no more harm than other reserv. Ind., but still the reserv. is useless, and serves as a scapegoat for all Ind. troubles, real and imaginary.
1880. Victorio left the reserv. soon after the last report, and induced over 200 Mescaleros to join him in his depredations. In April the rest were alarmed by the coming of troops, and an attempt to disarm them, by Gen. Pope's orders-the agent blaming Col Hatch-caused an affray in which sev- eral were killed. Before this it had been proposed to move the Mescal. to Hot Spring.
1881. All in confusion; contradictory reports. Lincoln co., 'under con- trol of thieves and cutthroats,' is no place for the Ind., who should be moved north, which Gen. Pope also urges, as it is impossible to discriminate between the hostile and peaceful. Agency 40 m. s. w. of the fort; reserv. 30 by 36 miles, the 'garden spot of N. Mex.' Ind. quiet; marked improvement (!); school only moderately prosperous; Ind. falsely accused of taking part in raids.
1882. The agencies of Mescal. and Jicarillas had been consolidated with intention of moving Mescal. to north; but Inspector Howard decided to let them remain, but to give up certain lands to miners, etc .; hence the change in reserv. Ind. doing fairly well; 85 acres cultivated; Ind. police of 20 suc- cessful in preventing thefts and arresting renegades. They arrested emis- saries from Hot Spring, and saved the agent's life in a fight in which several Ind. were killed. Day-school well attended, and some children sent to Al- burquerque, but Apache mothers will not part with their girls. The change of reserv. at petition of the legisl. restored five townships to public domain in favor of the Nogal mining district, and disposed of all private claims but two; Ind. consented to the change.
744
INDIAN AND MILITARY AFFAIRS.
vajos, they left the reservation, and became roving and hostile. In 1871 over 300 were reunited at Fort Stanton, and the number increased to about 800 in 1872. Here a reservation was set off in 1873-4, and the Indians were kept under control more or less, and a little progress was made in farming and education ; though there were almost continuous feuds with set- tlers, miners, and other Indian bands. The reserva- tion boundaries were several times changed. In 1879-81 many of the Mescaleros joined the southern Apaches in their raids ; and many serious complications resulted, it being difficult or impossible to distinguish between the guilty and innocent, and there arising many controversies between the agents and the mili- tary on these points. The location of the reservation so near the frontier, where the Indians were exposed to the raids and solicitations of the renegade bands, was most unfortunate, and a change was often urged, but never effected. From 1882 there was a slight re- newal of good conduct and comparative progress; in 1883 the Jicarillas were brought to this reservation ; and from that time neither band has caused any serious trouble.
The southern Apaches of New Mexico, exclusive of the Mescaleros, consisting chiefly of the Mimbreños and Mogollones-together known as the Gileňos-but including at times a portion of the Arizona Chirica- huas, numbered from 1,500 to 1,800. Their annals are much less definite than those of other tribes, as they were generally more or less beyond the control of agents, and spent a part of the time in Arizona and Mexico. The list of agents and a summary of annals are appended.20 In 1864-9 these bands were gener-
20 Southern Apache agents: John Ayres 1868-9 (at Sta Fé), Charles E. Drew 1869-70 (at Ft McRae), A. G. Hennisee 1870-I (at Ft Craig), O. F. Piper 1871-3 (Ayres in charge '72), B. M. Thomas 1873-4, John M. Shaw 1874-6, James Davis 1876-7. Ind. nominally removed to S. Carlos, Ariz., in 1877.
1864. Gen. Carleton's mil. operations extending through this and the fol- lowing years. 1865. Interview of Gen. Davis with Victorio, Nané, etc., at
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