Unfortunately this book is now out of print.

--May 27, 1886

Saturday, May 1, 1886: Weather: Fine. Over our range today with [James E.] Brophy, hunting horses. Saw a living curiosity, a burro with forelegs bent in so that they crossed while the hoofs were probably eight inches long, grown that long because unused, the animal having to walk on sides of his hoofs because of angles in legs. Indians nearing. They are badly scattered. Liable to be most anywhere. Got and booked some useful information today on matter in hand. General Miles has begun Signal Service. First station established here about five hundred feet east of house. Communication established with Helen's Dome Peak, one mile from Fort Bowie, nearly twenty miles distant. "Heliograph" instrument.

Sunday, May 2, 1886: Weather: Fine. Apaches drawing closer. May have seen four. Passed day quietly. Examined signalling business [Heliograph instrument]. Simple. Nothing but ordinary looking glass necessary. Sun is caught and reflected to Helen's Dome and a screen is worked in front of the flash on the dot and dash plan, Morse's alphabet being used, the improved Morse. Whilst I waited, a message was received of Indians raiding to south of us and orders were sent by Major Beaumont to send thirty men after them with orders to follow, half command to remain and others to take their animals as relays. Looks like business on Miles' part. Geronimo beat Crook with signal fires, but Miles' plan works well, as in this instance he saved four or five precious hours. Wish we could give the Indians a rattle. Top of house is all fortified and loopholed. White went to Sulphur [Springs Ranch] about 2:00 P.M.

Monday, May 3, 1886: Weather: Magnificent. Saddled up and traversed Morse Canyon today. At B. F. (or "Coyote") Smith's [who] lives at mouth of canyon. Fresh moccasin tracks seen by the boy yesterday about a mile from house near Rock Creek. In front of White's, old lady told me about a handsome saddle blanket found in an Indian cave alongside an Indian's body. Boy was hunting Indian caves yesterday when presence of Indians manifested itself. Captain Baldwin notified. Visited Dan Freeman, [E. O.] Hornbeck, Mexican Rafael Duarte and [Fred] McGowan, who was shot in his garden last October by Indians. He [McGowan] showed me and told me all. I notified all of presence of Indians and kept sharp lookout. Stopped awhile with Captain B.[aldwin] (of 10th Cavalry, H. Co. stationed to one side of canyon), who sent message by me to Signal Officer. Accomplished my business purposes in good shape. Left about 9:00 A.M. and returned about 5:00 P.M. McGowan a crank on socialism. Two Apache Scouts at ranch tonight.

Tuesday, May 4, 1886: Weather: Fine. Upwood and I rode to Downing's Sawmill today in Pine Canyon. Had crack at antelope perhaps three hundred yards off, but didn't get it though. Made a couple of good running shots. A long ride up canyon. [William M.] D.[owning] high up. Had quite a chat. I was quite successful in main mission. Met Elwood there. I strike people all over country in most inaccessible places who know me, even though I may not know them. Quite remarkable. Good mill, capable of 15,000 (board) feet. Also, very fine lumber indeed. Some trees 17 feet around and 150 feet high; 3,000 (board) feet in some. Pretty good for Arizona. Near Fife's, a Mexican, who killed Mrs. Fife last October, was hung to limb of tree. Mormons. Opposite tree, a shallow grave was dug. Coyotes got away with the body. Held U.'s [Upwood's] horse while he tried to dig up skull which we wanted. Ascertained another fellow had it. One bone only on surface. Clean. Returned via Apache trail commanding grand view of country. Gone all day till 8:00 P.M. Horse cast shoe. Two graves of miners [Joseph L. Cadotte and George Todenworth] killed by Apaches to left of trail.

Wednesday, May 5, 1886: Weather: Fine. Reports by Signal Officer of engagement with Apaches near Calabasas by part of 10th Cavalry; "coon" and two soldiers killed. Business. Apaches reported heading this way. Top of house is well fortified. Good adobe wall with loopholes. Would relish a rattle with them. Want a scalp badly. Had to have horse shod behind today. Quite tenderfooted. A soldier did it for me. Bad business for me just now to have a tenderfooted horse. Lieutenant Wilder of "G" Company, 4th Cavalry, with us tonight. Pleasant fellow. This evening he, Upwood and I tried to find a fresh Apache trail several miles above house reported by the "coons" [i.e. buffalo or Negro soldiers]. Cattle probably destroyed it.

Thursday, May 6, 1886: Weather: Warm. Roundup reached the cottonwoods last night, so Upwood and I rode down this A.M. and meeting some of the boys, helped to drive in the cattle. Great work. After dinner, the "cutting out" of cows and calves for branding took place on the plains and after that, the stray herd was formed, cowboys riding in and cutting out their brands. The three bunches were close herded of course all of the time. Great spot for the cowboys, cutting out and roping. One obstreperous stray had to be knocked down. One fellow, a Mexican, threw her by running horse alongside, seizing tail and darting ahead, then ropes by tail and horns, dragging her half a mile or so. Common trick though. One cowboy had a fight with his bronco; they tumbled over a lassoed cow and had a picnic. Wild, woolly cowboys they were, forty or fifty of them. Branding then took place and such a scene. It seemed like Hell let loose with the plunging horses, roped calves, smoking flesh, blood, etc. and the din of one thousand crazy animals. Grub wagons, great institutions. Great fun in watching boys tailing calves. Great rough and tumbles. Mr. White did most of branding and branded 262 calves; also 202 in A.M.

Friday, May 7, 1886: Weather: Hot. Strong guard for herd last night on account of Indians. Slept amongst the boys on ground, of course. Lively scenes all of the time. One grizzled cowboy thought I was from Colorado and was glad to see me. Quite insisted that I must be one of the Schultz boys. Up at daybreak, breakfast and all scattered. Next task was to bring in cattle from the base of some hills north of the west well. Rounded them up and joined them with the main herd. Quite a bunch. Something over a thousand perhaps, too. Ran them out on the plains a mile or so, and then the cutting out took place. I was placed as aid to our cow and calf herd. Great times. Some terribly obstreperous cows and calves. The little devils were crazy at times and would run as fast as the horses and keep it up, too. I wouldn't have believed it. The cook had water in a wagon near my herd and while fooling with a six shooter, accidentally shot himself. I didn't have any sympathy for him. Flesh wound. Was sent to hospital. Drove cows and calves five miles to the cottonwood corral and had hard time getting them there, particularly the calves who hadn't ever seen a gulch before probably and were afraid to cross. Had to be roped and dragged. Mr. White out of luck. His horse bucked him off, and another [horse] was kicked and had leg broken, necessitating shooting. Branding when I left; nearly two hundred to brand. Returned to Home Ranch in afternoon pretty tired. Terribly hard and dusty, dirty work.

Saturday, May 8, 1886: Weather: Fine. Roundup will be here today probably. Lieutenant Fuller arrived last night to establish more Heliograph stations. Cook, Neil and some others. Packers also. One quite musical, and tried organ. Steward at Rucker. A guitar was found and I entertained the boys some. Seemed to please them immensely. Couriers have been doubled, it being considered too dangerous travelling for one. Went out with Lieutenant Fuller, Upwood and S.[teward?] to establish another sun telegraph station. Tried a bald hill few miles from house, but couldn't get Helen's Dome at Bowie. Flash from Fort Huachuca, seventy miles distant, very plain. Fuller had appointment to signal about that time, but they didn't seem to find us very well. I left about noon for Ross & Shearer's Sawmill and had a hard time getting there in trying to cut across mountains. Not pleasant when Indians might take you in. Hard climb. Finally got there and did my business, reaching home about dark. Roundup on hand. Things lively tonight.

Sunday, May 9, 1886: Weather: Windy. Three hundred calves branded by 10:00 A.M. About seventy-five an hour. Quick work for four operations. Cutting, tarring, branding, etc. I went down to cottonwood this A.M. for carbolic acid which was forgotten. Helped drive up some cattle and also caught a cowboy's horse which fell and threw him, hurting him temporarily. A smoke this afternoon in direction of west well, thirteen miles west, caused apprehension. After dark, the fire was very plain. Men sent down. May be work of Indians, though they don't do much firing. Another fire towards Fort Bowie. Upwood returned in afternoon. They established station at a point evidently recently used by Apaches as point of observation from many signs.

Monday, May 10, 1886: Weather: Fine. More branding this A.M. Probably 1,500 branded. Whole branding will probably reach 2,300 or 2,500. I must now pull my freight for Rucker, finish up there and get back to town. Bad news. It was west well on fire last night. U.[pwood] went this A.M. I wanted to go, but time is now limited. U.[pwood] returned before I left and reported all gone and suspicious tracks, Indians probably, so White sent some cowboy trailers to the scene with instructions to follow the trail up. Reached Rucker in three hours from here and found all hands well and glad to see me. A Mr. Beal there, too. Is post trader. Four companies of 4th Cavalry there and sixty-two Apache Scouts. Quite a lively camp. I reported to Lt. Wheeler fact of burning, so requested by Lt. Fuller. Didn't like the man. This evening some guitar music by Miss Trixie [Emma Fish], and Lieuts. Huber and Smith and Dr. Fisher were over. The doctor very pleasant.

Tuesday, May 11, 1886: Weather: Windy and cloudy. Did my business here quickly today. Nothing in trip probably. A Miss Hunsaker, formerly of San Diego, at house this A.M. Quite a pleasant and pretty girl. Also, a little sister, Edith, and young brother [James L. Hunsaker]. Knew the lawyer brother [William J. Hunsaker] some years ago in Tombstone. Looked at Indian Scouts' camp today. They evidently didn't like it. Watched a great gambling game of theirs with a small hoop and two long poles. A hard crowd. They all ought to be planted. Quite lively times about the store, which is really a saloon. Lots of money in it.

Wednesday, May 12, 1886: Weather: Cloudy. Learned a new cavalry guitar song from Miss Trixie Fish this A.M. Took a walk with Packer O'Neil through the Indian camp, looking at some beads and stones, and got an Apache boy to write me his name, something very new and strange for an Apache. Yuma, Mohave and Tonto Apaches in the crowd. He wrote me his name, probably that of his benefactor, with a .45.70 government cartridge, having no pencil, and called himself Oliver Eaton, educated at Hampton, Virginia, a Mohave Apache. Left after lunch with number of commissions and hearty invitation to make long visit. Mighty clever people. Reached ranch all O.K. Branding just concluded-2,500. It was the west well burning. Loss probably $1,000.

Thursday, May 13, 1886: Weather: Fine. Started for home this A.M. via west well. Lonely ride. Quite a scene of destruction at well. Cause unknown. Probably not Indian. Reached town about 4:00 or shortly after. All glad to see me and relieved. It seems that I was thought by some to have been taken in by the Apaches. Quite tired tonight. Made 250 miles horseback in my two weeks trip. Perhaps more. At friends awhile this evening. Had to give paper an account which was telegraphed to San Francisco. Called on Mrs. McFarland tonight and delivered messages and package from and for Mrs. [Michael] Gray of Rucker.

Friday, May 14, 1886: Weather: Good. Just in time to see Huneke, who left this A.M. with Sam Brannan for Sonora. Return in two weeks. We may go to California. Prepared statement today for General [Adam]. Quite busy all day. Major and Mrs. Earle's china [20th] wedding [anniversary] due tomorrow was held this evening at Turnverein Hall and prolonged until the 15th. Didn't close till 2:00 A.M. Present, ambergina glass decanters or some such name. A great success, the entertainment this evening in every way. One hundred ten present. Fine floor, good music, delicious ice cream, pretty girls, etc., etc. The success of the past years, but good. Mrs. Earle never fails in anything, and certainly not in entertaining her many friends. Settled in full. Quite easy again.

Saturday, May 15, 1886: Weather: Fine. General Adam left for Los Angeles this A.M. Tom S.[orin] in town. Dined with him. Had a close and confidential talk with him. He is worried. Certain parties seem suspicious. I shall go ahead though with my duties and if anyone wants any rough business, they can have it. I'm rather handy with a six shooter myself and I don't scare much. At Mrs. Adam's this evening. Indians very bad still. Seem to have located near Nogales, probably awaiting reinforcements from reservation.

Sunday, May 16, 1886: Weather: Warm and fine. Major Earle sick today, so I took charge A.M. and P.M. S.[unday] S.[chool] changed to 10:00 A.M. Didn't work well. Fine sermon tonight, closing one of course of lectures. Collections, $22. At Walker's after church where was [C. M.] Bruce. Quite a talk. Some exciting Indian news. Fighting reported, and seven soldiers reported killed and other badly licked. Served them right the way they acted, coming through a box canyon.

Monday, May 17, 1886: Weather: Fine. Attended to some business today for Don Augustin A. Pesqueira of Hermosillo. Wrote Colonel Shafter of 1st Infantry and sent statement to San Carlos, trying to recover Pesquiera's stock stolen by Apaches and now on reservation. My article in San Francisco paper seems to have attracted great attention amongst Mexicans. The Las Novedades in New York and Chronista of Los Angeles reproduce letter in Spanish, commenting very highly, so I am solid with Mexico. Pocket struck in Gentile Belle [Mine]. On Herring's porch awhile this evening.

Tuesday, May 18, 1886: Weather: Very warm. Helped Mrs. Mitchell and Mrs. Earle and others prepare for the lawn party this evening at former's residence. Worked this evening running in folks and helping, etc. Brought Miss Birdie Herring around. The pale man didn't show up until sometime after announcement of festivities. Colonel [J. S.] Clark left for Washington this A.M. Am very glad he was able to get off. Music, etc. Apaches ran off some horses from [Apollinar] Bauer at Antelope [Springs Ranch] last night, twelve miles east. Twenty-five soldiers camped there, too.

Wednesday, May 19, 1886: Weather: Warm. 92°. Was 98° other day. Apaches in the Dragoons this A.M. shot a fellow at Granite Springs twelve miles from town and killed one of the Lutley boys [Fred] not far from Sorin's. I'm back from my wandering just about in time. Had some photos taken today a la Mexicano. Wore my fancy Mexican hat to perpetuate it and a serape loaned me by [Frank] Walker. [Note: This picture is in the book.] At Berry's where [I] met Miss Young, sister of Mrs. [Robert] Eccleston. Later, at Goodfellow's where we had some guitar music, Walker and I singing.

Thursday, May 20, 1886: Weather: Warm. Cloudy. 94°. Indians bad still. I haven't lost any but will go when necessary and try to be first one. Experience has taught me a thing or two. Doc [E. P.] R.[yder] pretty near the J.J.'s [jimjams or delirium tremens]. Nice letter from Colonel Shafter about stock. Probably at Fort Apache. Little music today. More reported killed. Seven within twenty-seven miles of town. General Miles seems in earnest, but why don't he place more men in the field. Clum and I framed a telegram tonight to be sent to the President. I withheld it until tomorrow. Terrible state of things. Spent evening with Reverend Mr. Haskins.

Friday, May 21, 1886: Weather: Very warm. Got off a letter tonight (telegraphic) prepared by Reverend Haskins, with some points by me, to New York Post, giving statement of the terrible condition of things in our county. I got necessary signatures for endorsements. Opened up church this P.M. at 4:00 for burial of [Fred] Lutley killed by Apaches yesterday [sic, May 19th] on Middle Pass road summit where I was lolling recently and waiting, alone. Exact place. Good attendance. Major Earle indisposed. [Will] help some at store tomorrow. Methodist ice cream and strawberry festival tonight. Took Miss [Kitty] Goodfellow with Mrs. MacNeil. We all had good time.

Saturday, May 22, 1886: Thermometer, 94°. Weather: Very warm At store at odd times today for the Major [F. S. Earle]. Opened up church this afternoon for burial of George Buford's child [George Albert Buford, age 18 months]. Had to hold casket alone several times. Great excitement in town this A.M. Mexican came in about 10:00 A.M. and reported three men killed at or near Sycamore Springs, eight miles from town. Bob Hatch, Brad, Roberts and a few others went to place and found all false. Scouts instead of hostiles. They deserve killing anyhow on general principles. Some of us were talking about going out tonight and taking mountains afoot on a still hunt for scalps. Indians skipped again. Called for Mrs. Adam and Mrs. Street at Goodrich's tonight.

Sunday, May 23, 1886: Weather: Hot. 102°. Sunday School at 10:00 A.M. Full attendance. About forty. Church in morning and afternoon. Had to officiate as last Sunday. Have hands full with Sunday School work and officiating otherwise, opening and closing church, seating, collecting, etc. Reverend Pierson, Methodist, very sick indeed. Life despaired of. Large fire at base of Dragoons. Mesa all afire. Bad for the feed. Magnificent sight nights. Fire this P.M. [H. B.] Maxson's house slightly damaged. Wrote five letters today. Bagnall and others.

Monday, May 24, 1886: Weather: Very warm. Lieutenant Fuller arrived last evening, just having placed station at Antelope Springs. More excitement today. Apaches said to have raided Tres Alamos. Telegrams sent to Benson, ten miles distant, for help. At Prieto's awhile this afternoon. At taxpayers' meeting this evening and joined, although one of the charter men and with it from the first on school business. Have been away though and unable to follow everything up, and besides, am probably smallest taxpayer of all. Spent evening with Lieutenant Fuller and friends. Another strike in Old Guard [Mine]. Combination shaft said to be a fine one. Hope it's so.

Tuesday, May 25, 1886: Weather: Hot. Major Earle still indisposed. Helped this P.M. at Sunday School entertainment given by Walker, N. B., who is greatly interested in children. Worked hard. The ladies at ice cream, etc., etc. Great time by [Nathan] Walker, [W. K.] Meade and [Thomas] Mitchell at Aztec [House] where the time was had. All hands renewed their youth. After ice cream and good things, there was a magic lantern display. Little Charley Stillwell and Edith G.[oodfellow] great friends. Amusing. All kinds of games and good time for big and little.

Wednesday, May 26, 1886: Weather: Hot. Thermometer 98°. Got my photos of self in Mexican sombrero and serape today. Quite good. Main object, to preserve my fine silver bullion hat. Quite a la Mexicano. At store today, quite continuously, Blinn thinking it better. Sent off photos today. At Eccleston's tonight. Took home Mrs. Peto. Singing, etc. Miss Young, Mrs. Eccleston's sister, pleasant. Another fire tonight, making four in four consecutive days. About 11:00 P.M., the Grand Central [Mine] hoist caught fire and illuminated the whole country.

Thursday, May 27, 1886: Weather: Cooler. Everybody feeling very blue today over last night's fire. Blinn away down, thinks it's a two year setback. Very bad business. No pumping now, nor work on the hill. Stoppage of everything and a terrible black eye to the town. Looks as though the Devil surely is foreclosing his mortgage. Major [Earle] little better. At Blinn's awhile tonight.

Friday, May 28, 1886: Weather: Pleasant and warm. 94°. General Adam arrived tonight. Major [Earle] on hand today, all day. Collected for church today and was quite successful. Bade Mrs. Blinn goodbye tonight. Must send note to father to call upon her at the Fifth Avenue Hotel [New York City]. Mrs. A.'s [Adam's] trip delayed. Mrs. Stevens said to be returning next month. Poor [sic, four?] more it seems to me. Am kept quite busy running around evenings for my neighbors. A meeting was held this evening. Called by Mr. Haskins to discuss advisability of establishing high grade school.

Saturday, May 29, 1886: Weather: Warm. Great excitement this A.M. Charlie Leach and three others caught in the mine, and two overpowered by gas and foul air, L.[each] and [Casper] Taylor. I joined [Henry A.] Tweed and others, and drove up in hot haste. They were on the two hundred foot level, and after much delay and considerable excitement, fainting, etc. by the women, Leach and Taylor reached surface, the latter in rather bad condition. A close call. Walker then upset Mrs. Goodfellow's cart, and I finally drove it home for her. Men all better tonight. Wrote [William P.] Stanley about lease, today I think it was. Called on Mrs. Prescott tonight. Guitar music and pleasant time. Mrs. Bagg there. Great times tonight. Judge Benson mad. Another husband off. Lots of commiserating to do. Another fire alarm tonight. Lamp exploded in Brown & Ham's.

Sunday, May 30, 1886: Weather: Warm, but windy. 98° yesterday, I think. Sunday School and church as usual today. A Mr. Lankton, commercial traveler, took class today. At breakfast Walker joined me and acquainted me with his friend Van Sickler or Van Sicklen from New York. Fair congregations today, but rather small Sunday School attendance. Stebbins miffed at me tonight but I would not apologize, not considering myself in the wrong, nor was one due, so S.'s [Stebbins'] friend said. Miss [Louise] Miller sick and Mr. Haskins blue. Went around and braced him up. After talking him to sleep, went home. Fire this afternoon near Durkee's. Nacozari boy lost bedding, etc. Big excitements within eight days. Seven fires and nearly several others.

Monday, May 31, 1886: Weather: Cooler and windy. Decoration Day, and well celebrated it was for a small town like this. Helped get flowers this A.M. A general turnout of all orders and societies, the G.A.R. leading. On Goodfellow's porch some of the time. A full attendance this evening at Schieffelin Hall, and Colonel Herring was particularly good and happy in his oration. An interesting programme. Escorted home Mrs. [J. S.] Clark and Mrs. B.[erry].

Copyright © 1997 by Carl Chafin and reprinted here by his permission.
 
 

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