CATTLE RAISING ON THE SAN CARLOS INDIAN RESERVATION

IN YEARS past to speak of Indian cattle in Arizona was to speak of wild, off-colored, scrubby stock, branded from neck to rump, “burned,” as it were; hard to work and usually hard to find. Such is not the case at the present time, especially when the grade of stock raised on the San Carlos Apache Reservation is concerned. The cattle grazed on our reservation compare favorably with the best grade of Hereford stock in the entire Southwest. The San Carlos Apache led the Indian Service in the number sold and gross revenue derived therefrom in 1937. Almost 12,000 head were sold for an average of $32.00 per head. Instead of the weekly ration issued to the captured Indian by the Army commissary in 1890, he now has a family income of $731.00. But let us go back a few years when the Arizona Apaches were looked upon as a war-like tribe, killing and despoiling the Southwestern pioneer. Most historical accounts dealing with Indians in Arizona describe the Apache as a “hideously cruel and bloodthirsty” individual. It appears from all accounts that the Apache was not looked upon as a potential and successful cattleman. The San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation was created by Presidential Order, December 14, 1872. In this Order, Camp Grant on the San Pedro River was abolished, and all Aravaipa Apaches under their chief, Eskiminzin, were moved to San Carlos in March, 1873. The Chiricahua Apaches numbering 325 moved to San Carlos encampment in 1876. This occurred after the death of their chief, Cochise. Approximately 1800 Indians were on the census rolls, but from mismanagement or frequent changes of Indian Agents, there were constant troubles, desertions and recaptures. Though the presence of many different and mutually hostile bands made it necessary that they be segregated in distant camps, there was no serious trouble with the masses; the Indian Police rendered good service and good progress was reported in small tract gardening in 1975. In 1879, the population had jumped to 4652. This was due to other bands from other parts of the Territory being moved to San Carlos.

An account of the Apaches in a profitable pursuit In 1880, the renegade chiefs, Geronimo, and Juh, with 108 Chiricahuas were brought in from old Mexico. It was at this time that Vittorio, with 40 other Chiricahua Apaches escaped to avoid the transfer to San Carlos and did bloody work in Mexico. Later he was killed by Mexicans during one of his raids in Mexico. John P. Clum, later to become Mayor of Tombstone, was the Indian Agent during these hectic years. From 1882 to 1889, the San Carlos Apaches were practically under a military commander and conditions were for the most part satis factory. It was the War Department's custom to issue rations to every Indian on the reservation but such practice has been virtually abolished except for a few indigent Indians. At the present time, a limited number of old Indians are issued rations purchased from tribal funds.

Bancroft, in his “History of Arizona and New Mexico” said, “As to the general prospects of the reservation Indians of all tribes, they cannot be said to be very encouraging. A mountainous, mining country, where white men can hardly be made to behave themselves, is not fit to be an Indian reservation.” But it did not take the white man long to find out that the reservation was fit for one thing and that one thing was grazing. Early in the nineties, the Chiricahua Cattle Company obtained a permit through a Captain Myers of the commissary department of the army post at San Carlos to graze 200 head of cattle on the Ash Flat range, to the north of what is now Fort Thomas. More and more big cow outfits moved in. By 1920, five-eighths of the reservation was under lease to white cattle growers. The best watered and choicest part of the reservation was included in this five-eighths. They were paying about $80,000.00 annual rental for grazing 40,000 head but it was the general opinion that half that many more were being grazed. Jimmy Stevens, son of George H. (Little Steve) Stevens, one of the first Indian Agents and related to Cochise on his mother's side, had a few head grazing on Ash Flat range before it was leased. When he inquired of the big cow outfit where permission had been obtained, he was quickly told to mind his own business. He did, much to the consternation of the lessee. An investigation revealed that approximately 12,000 head were being grazed on a permit for only 2000. Since the carrying capacity of the entire range is only 28,000, the added stock was destroying it. James B. Kitch, since re(Turn to Page 32)