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United States. Office of Indian Affairs / Annual report of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, for the year 1874
([1874])
[New Mexico], pp. 300-311
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Page 301
REPORT OF THE COMMISSIGNER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. 301 stored, in buildings without doors, windows, or floors, and those erected by the agent and his employ6s, at little, if any, expense to the Government. My opinion is, that these Indians should be removed, at the earliest practicable moment, to the Hot Springs reservation; but if you decide otherwise, more permanent and more comfortable buildings ought to be erected at once. The Government supplies are exposed to danger from the weather and from thieves, and the agent, a commissioned officer of the Gov- ernment, is compelled to live in a way which seems a disgrace to the Government he serves. Before proceeding to describe my interviews with Cochise and his people, I will give the two reasons which seem to me to require their removal: First, the reservation is bounded on the south by the Mexican State of Sonora, and while the Indians refrain from depreda tions upon our side of the border, they consider themselves privileged to make incursions into Mexican territory. The Indians say, "Why do you interfere with us for what we do to the Mexicans? If we steal anything from you, and take it there, they will buy it and encourage us to bring them stolen property." During the life-time of Cochise he was able to do much to control his band and prevent these forays, but now he is dead it is feared they will be continued and exaggerated. Second, the reservation has so little arable land that it would be impossible for the Indians to ever become self-sustaining there, even if they were inclined. I understand it to be the wish of the Department to teach the Indians agriculture and other useful arts, so that they may become producers as well as consumers, and for this reason think they ought to be removed to a country where they can be encouraged to make the effort. The morning following my visit to the agency, I started in company with Agent Jeffords to visit the camp of Cochise. We followed the Tucson road to Sulphur Springs, about twenty-five miles west of Camp Bowie. At this point we met Tozay, the eldest son of Cochise, and since his death the chief of the tribe, and several other Indians; and taking the agent's horse, I rode on with them in advance of my party, and arrived at the camp nearly an hour before the agent and my men. The camp was located on top of a high butte or foot-hill, and commanded a view of the surrounding valley as far as the Chiricahua Mountains on the east, and as far as the eye could reach to the north and south, while imme- diately in the rear was the great Dragoon Mountains. The place was well chosen for de- fense, and was probably selected with that view. I found Cochise lying down, with his face toward the east, and commanding from where he lay an extended view of the approaches to his camp. The instinct of the warrior to guard against surprise evidently still lingered with this dying man. The old chief was suffering intensely, and I at first thought he would not outlive the night. I found a ready welcome as soon as his son had explained who I was, for I had been expected; and when I gave him a photograph of General Howard and myself, taken together, my introduction to his favor was complete. The picture was frequently examined by the old chief during my stay, and always followed by the warmest expression of feelings of affection for the general. Soon after the arrival of Agent Jeffords and the interpreter I commenced a conversation. I found that Cochise had the greatest affection for Jeffords, and was delighted to see him. I told Cochise that I regretted seeing him so ill, and that I would not worry him then, but would go away and come again when he was better; but he insisted upon hearing me then, and said that he would soon die, and that I had better also talk with the sub-chiefs. They were accordingly summoned. After talking for an hour I found Cochise so much exhausted that I decided to leave him for the time. During that night he was unconscious for several hours. I returned to Camp Bowie, and after remaining for three days, again went to Dra- goon Mountains, and found Cochise still alive, but apparently failing rapidly. A much longer talk then than before ensued, and while he expressed a preference for their location, I became convinced that, should he live, Agent Jeffords would have but little difficulty in securing the removal of the Indians. During this second visit I found Cochise mounted on his horse in front of his wickinf, having been lifted there by his friends, showing his deter- mination and strength of will. I asked him why he did so, and he replied that he wished to be mounted once more before he died. The agent and myself both feared he might die while on his horse; and probably he would have preferred such a death. Upon the Chiricahua reservation is another band of Apaches called alternately Southern Chiricahua and Pinery Indians. Among this band are many of the Mogollon and other Apaches, many of whom here lived at Comada Allamosa. These Indians can be removed at any time, and many of them would move themselves, if permitted to go. Agent Jeffords said he could give me two hundred and fifty who would return with me at once. I am convinced that should you decide to remove these Indians Agent Jeffords can do so. Time will be required. But I would suggest that he first take, or send in charge of some good man, all who are willing or wish to go; and, with a little patience and perseverance, he could soon have all upon the Hot Springs reservation. I have seen no man who has so complete control over his Indians as Agent Jeffords, and I am sure that if they removed he would be the best man to make agent at Hot Springs. He does not answer all the require- ments of an agent; none that I have seen do fill the bill in every particular. Jeffords can and does maintain discipline, and he has time influence to bring Indians to his reservation and keep them there, and if they go away he generally knows where they have gone. If
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