Arizona Pioneers and Apaches

By S.H. Drachman

In presenting my contribution to the history of Arizonas Pioneers, I crave your indulgence as to its literary merit and also for the absence of those personal reminesences of many of the exciting events of our early history so ably and interestingly related by the actors in those scenes, but in which, either fortunately or unfortunately, I had no participation.

While a resident of the stayed Old City of Philadelphia I read Ross Brown's Book on travels in Arizona, and finding a great deal of valuable information regarding the Country and its rich Mines, I was, as I might say, Electrified and the desire to see Arizona grew upon me from day to day. I finally resolved to see the Country, so on May 16, 1867, I took the Steamer, and after 22 days landed in the beautifull and romantic City of San Francisco. There I remained for a few days, took Steamer, and landed at Willmington where all passengers landed in small boats. From there we took stage to the City of Los Angeles, a place which I had heard so much of as being the garden spot of Southern California. I found, to my great surprise a very small and insignificant Mexican town. One …. Los Angeles been can hardly realize in comtemplation; it now ….has been accomplished in such a short time. To-day she truly is entitled to the name of the City of Angels, and it may well be applied to our own little city of Tucson. After a stay of a couple of days, I started for San Bernadino, the terminus of the stage route to Tucson. I intended to take passage for Tucson without delay, but was told that Indians all over the Territory and on the Tucson road in particular were on the warpath, that they were killing peaple and stealing their stock, and that several stages had been taken in, and the passangers Killed. Hearing this, I delayed my trip in anticipation that these blood-thirsty devils may have satiated their desire for murder and theft; but no--the cry came, "Still they come" and instead of letting up they continued in their hellish work to such an extent that the stages were withdrawn, and the U. S. Mails were carried on Horseback.

Here was I in a perdicament. No Stages and the probably chance of being delayed for weeks or Months was to say the least annoying. Fortunately however, two weeks later I learned of a party of men who were getting ready to start for Arizona City, Now Known as Yuma, and I made the necessary arrangements with them for a seat in their conveyance. After procuring a good supply of provisions, Arms, Amunition, Blankets et, we started on our anticipated dreary journey. We endured Considerable hardships, as did our Animals, in Consqeuence of our rather limited supply of water, but succeeded in reaching Yuma in Eleven days, pretty well worn out. After partaking of a wash, a luxury we were deprived of during the trip, we … a good meal at which we were waited upon by a big Buck Yuma Indian, attired in his usual summer Attire, Consisting of a Breech Clout, paper Collar face painted in all Colors, head daubed with a coating of mud, and a rope around his stomach. I then repaired to the stage office to secure passage for Tucson. I was informed that there was room for but one passenger and that one was engaged, and that the next BuckBoard would again start for Tucson for six or eight days. Here was another delay, which however, gave me an opportunity of seeing the sights of Arizona City-- and to making acquaintances, Among those whom was Mr. Ed. Linn, of this City, who informed me of an important trial about to take place, and that his Honor, the justice, was in want of a clerk, and if I wished to make, as he called it, a "Starter", to proceed to Court. Just think! But one day in Arizona, and all ready occupying such an exalted position as Clerk of a Justice's Court!

I soon reached court, and I was duly installed. Proceeding Comenced and lasted several hours. Prisoner was found guilty and a fine of $100⁰⁰ was imposed, and he was ordered to Jail until the amount was paid. There being no Jail in the place, he was chained to a log, and kept for half day, when a committee of Citizens, taking pity on the poor …, called in a body on his honor to interceede in his behalf, and succeeded in having the prisoner released, after paying the judge ten dollars, on the Condition that the judge treat all hands, to which he agreed. All hands took a drink, and thus …the greatest trial on record. As regards my pay for services rendered, I am sorry to say I have never received anything, and doubt I ever will. I placed the claim in the hands of a lawyer the other day. ….seems doubtful about collecting it, as he is of opinion that is …has become outlawed.

After a delay of Eight days at Arizona City, I engaged passage for Tucson. Nothing of note on that day. On the second day out, our poor little mules comenced to show signs of weariness, and as we had no change of Animals until we reached Oatman flat, it was a question, in my mind, if we would accomplish the task. In time the poor animals were about ready to succumb as the heat was intense. We were making but little progress, two and half miles per hour being all we could get out of them. It was pitiful to see them strugling along, trying to make headway. A large sponge, saturated with water, attached over each animal's head, seemed to have the desired effect, and after giving them a couple of hours grazing, we got them to pull us along. I asked my good driver why the company used such poor, slow-going animals. He replied that …two reason: first, Should the Indians take in the outfit, they would not get much; second, after capturing them they would not get very far, before they could be overtaken. We managed to reach Oatman Flat Station, so called by the murder of the Oatman family by Indians many years previous to my advent into the Territory. It is lonely and desolate place to behold, and strikes terror into the heart of anyone passing that way. Here we changed team, filled our canteens, and passed on our way, rejoycing in the possession of fresh animals and fresh water. Nothing occurred to vary the monotony except a good drenching rain.

The next Station we reached was Blue Water, at that time owned by Sam Wise, whom you no doubt all Know. He sold the station to one Baker, but the latter was not permitted to enjoy the fruit of his labor. He and his family were murdered at the station by some Mexican whom he gave employment cutting hay. Here we again changed Animals, partook of a good meal, and passed on. The driver called my attention to the danger we were liable to encounter while passing the Picach, where Indians were usually passing and where many a man was laid low by the ruthless hands of the Apache. Our intentions were to pass the Picach in the night. We got our Arms and Amunition in readiness. Every cactus, tree, or bush appeared to my lively imagination an Indian, with scalping Knife in hand. We carefully watched both sides of the road, and made up our minds if we did meet the red devils to give them a warm reception. All went well, and we were counting upon reaching the next Station as we calculated, by daylight the next morning. But fate willed it otherwise. One of our mules was Snake bitten, and in less time that it takes me to describe it his leg was so badly swollen that he could not stand. Here we were in a nice perdicament, in an Indian Country, twenty to thirty Miles from the Station. To say the least, I felt as though I would rather be in Philadelphia and let someone else go in search of Arizona's wealth. The driver, too, seemed perplexed. He proposed to ride the other animal back to Blue Water, bring a fresh animal, and procure remedies, and leaving me in charge of the mail and the rest of the outfit, which proposition I respectfully declined, not wishing to be left alone at that place. The driver then said that if we had powder, we could burn the poison out. The idea suggested to me of extracting some from our cartridges, which we did, getting sufficient to make the experiment. This with a …of Jamaica, Ginger, was applied, but seemingly did not have the desired effect. Darkness came--and fire we did not deem the proper thing, as the Indians, if any were about, could detect our Camp. So we concluded to watch and await the result of our remedies applied. We pulled our BuckBoard a short distance off the road, and quietly and seriously mused over our situation, until probably Eleven O. Clock, when suddenly we heard a low, murmuring sound, more like a whisper, and the gradual advance of Horses.

"Indians!" Cried the driver. Indians Sure enough. "Get your Arms and Amunition in rediness, and let us do the best we can." This being my first experience in an Indian Country, you can better imagine that I am able to describe, my feelings on that particular occasion. We placed our ears close to the ground, and the whispering sound of human voices and the noise of approaching horses became more distinct. I grasped my rifle more firmly and got ready to open fire. Quiet reigned supreme for awhile, and the very moment when we expected to have to turn our rifles loose--what was our great asstonishment to hear sung by a clear, and rather melodious voice, "Hang Jeff Davis on a Sour Apple Tree"

Whats that? Surely this can not be Indians and gaining courage to raise my head, by that time, the team was near enough for me to distinguish the party, consisting of the Hon. Chas. T. Hayden and our townsmen Mr. Chas. A. Shibel, whom you all Know. After relating to our friends the circumstances just noted, all hands indulged in a hearty laugh. After treating us to what they called a drink of Arizona "Bug Juice" our friends left us; and thus ended our anticipated Indian fight. The next morning at daybreak we found our Animal much improved, so much so, that we managed to reach Point of Mountain Station. The place was kept by one Charley Warren who had the reputation of serving good meals to travelers, in which I was not dissapointed. A couple of fresh and lively little mules were hitched up . After starting , my good driver again called my attention to the danger we were liable to encounter from Indians in passing the nine-mile water hole, as that particular spot-Indians were passing and repassing daily, and many were the lives that were taken at this particular point. Again we made preparations for War, but fortunately we passed the place of danger without encountering any red devils, and, after a ride of two and half hours, we safely landed at noon on September 16^th, 1867, in the long looked for City of Tucson.

My first impression of the "ancient and Honorable Pueblo" was not a very favorable one. I was more than surprised at the state of buildings and the manner of conducting business. Everything seemed so much in contrast with Eastern Styles and customs of Stores.. I found but few and with limited Stock, and with prices for provisions and Articles of wear rather high. Flour was selling at $14⁰⁰ per 100 pounds, Sugar Cube 75 cents to $1.⁰⁰ per pound, Sugar brown as to 75 cents. Tea 1.00 to $2.00. Soap, the cheapest, and which is now being sold from 20 to 24 bars for $1.00, was worth 50 centers per bar, Candles were …to 75 cents for 1 pound. Bacon 60 to 75 cents. Potatoes, such as were brought from Santa Cruz, Mexico, 6 to 10 cents per pound. California Potatoes, 20 to 25 cents, and scarce at that. Calicoes, 3 yds for $1.00. A better article can be had now at 20 yds for one dollar. The price of clothing and all other articles of wear was in proportion. All classes of goods were scarce, and consequently commanded high prices. An other cause I found for the existence of these high prices was that Merchants mostly dealt in San Francisco and their obligations had to be met in gold coin, while they received currency in payment for their goods which would realize in San Francisco, 75-85 cents on the dollar. The great delay in transporting the goods, …have Known of goods being on the road from 4 to 6 Months, hence many were the articles of food and wear, that the place would be deprived of which could not be had at any price, and the lucky Merchant who would be the possesor of the short articles would reap a rich harvest. As an instance, Coal oil was in the hands of a certain party whose name I do not care to mention here. Soon he found that he was the only one in the place who had Coal oil. He raised the price from Five to Eight dollars per gallon. My friend Mr. Chas. O. Bracon can well bear me out in this, no doubt to some, fabulous price, but thank God that merchant has left us, and I trust that he may never return. I found Indian troubles of a serious nature. People were being Killed and some in the most brutal manner. Instances where the poor victims were burnt at the stake were not unusual. But few outsiders, at …visit our little town, …things looked dark indeed. Our population did not exceed 10 to 12 hundred people, about one-fourth of whom were Americans. During the years 68-69-and 70, in my opinion we experienced the cruelties of the Apaches. Many of you recollect the murder of Valentine, Long, Warren, Col. Stone and the party of six, and poor Price, who had the flesh cut from the soles of his feet. He being a captive, no doubt this was intended to prevent his escape. Many more were sent to their long home at the hands of the Apache. Business was almost at a Standstill, and very little, if any mining was done, as no one dared to risk into the mountains unless well armed, and the … of weapons was limited. Application was made to the Secretary of War to supply the Citizens with … guns, which request was granted on Condition that each person receiving a gun give Bond for the return of Same, and for a time the peaple were well Armed.

In April 1872 the first Public school for boys was opened with Mr. John A. Spring as Teacher, Number of Pupils enroled, 18, in the building of Mariano Molino. Now the N. W. Corner of Meyer and McCormic St. a few months latter a school for girls was opened in the two-story building, … foot of Penning Street, In Levin's Park, with Mrs. L. C. Hughes at Teacher, Ap.P. K. Safford then Governor of this Territory and ex officio Superintendent of Public schools, with L.C. Hughes Esq Probate Judge, and ex officio Superintendent of Public Schools of Pima Counts, F.W. Scott, J. W. Hopkins, Doctor F. H. Goodwin were School Trustees first school District. During the year 1873, the Misses Wakefield and Bolten, now Mrs. E. H. Fish, and Mrs. John Wassen arrived, and took charge of the Public schools. The school house did not afford the Comfort that they do now. Building material was high, Lumber selling from 12 1/2 to 20 cents per foot, and scarce at that. I remember of the first board floor being laid in the Court house, and which caused quite a stir among the old-timers! The year 1873 was quite an eventful one. It was during that year that Arizona was connected with the outside world by Telegraph. In 1873 we established in Tucson the first Literary Society, where we would pass pleasently our evenings discussing the various topics of the day. It was in 1873 that the Wires brought us the first news of the Confirmation, by the U. S. Senate, Confirming the appointment of Crook as Brigadeer General of the Army, and right here permit me to say, All Honor to the good and Brave Old Man. We as Pioneers, more than any other peaple can appreciate his great, and good works in subduing the Apaches, permitting us now to live in Peace.

Respectfully submitted

S. H. Drachman

Tucson, May 4^th , 1885