The dread Apache: That early-day scourge of the SouthwestFreeman, Merrill Pingree
History
The dread Apache: That early-day scourge of the Southwest
Freeman, Merrill Pingree
Apache Indians; Apache Kid, approximately 1860-; Indians of North America -- Southwest, New
The people of Arizona, having been finally and, it was felt,
permanently relieved of this black incubus that had been hanging over
them for the many years dating back to their early coming to the
Territory, and General Miles having contributed so largely to the
result, decided to do something marking their appreciation of the
services rendered them, and this found expression in the presentation
of a sword. Through a popular subscription a magnificent sword costing
$1000 was procured through Tiffany & Company of New York, the blade
being of the finest steel, beautifully etched, and the hilt of solid
gold. The presentation took place on November 8th, 1887, at Levin’s
Park, at the foot of Pennington street. It was originally intended that
the ceremony should take place on September 4th, the anniversary of the
surrender of Geronimo, but that day falling on a Sunday, it was fixed
for Monday the 5th. General Miles, however, having been injured by the
overturning of the carriage in which he was out riding at Santa Monica,
California, on August 8th, the presentation was delayed until the date
named. Many notables in our country, also the Governors of neighboring
Mexican States, were invited to be present. A distinguishing feature
in the very long procession leading to the Park was three hundred
mounted Papagos, under their chief, Asuncion Ruiz, in all their
barbaric splendor of feathers and paint. The Papagos had always been
the consistent friends of the whites and the inveterate foes of the
Apaches, so they were more than glad to participate in this event. In
addition to the conventional combination usually found in parades,
there were the 4th U. S. cavalry band and a platoon of United States
artillery, William Zeckendorf, one of the very early pioneers, acting
as grand marshal. One of the photographs suggesting this article is of
this procession, evidently taken from the roof of one of the buildings
on the west side of Main street, looking up Pennington street, and
shows the parade the full length of the street, the head not having
quite reached Main street. The presentation was made on a platform
erected for the purpose in the Park. Royal A. Johnson was president of
the day, I having the honor of acting as secretary, and Judge W. H.
Barnes making the presentation address. One of my duties as secretary
was to read the letters of regret from those who had been invited
but were unable to be present. Among these I now recall letters from
Secretary of War Wm. C. Endicott, Gen. Sherman, and R. G. Ingersoll.
Among those present were Major Chaffee, subsequently Lieutenant
General, and Lieutenant Wood, now Major General. The other of the two
photographs is of General Miles and those on the platform with him,
taken as the general was delivering his address accepting the sword.
In the evening, following the presentation, there was a reception and
ball at the San Xavier hotel, since burned down, near the station; this
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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