Sulphur Valley News

PROPOSED ABANDONMENT OF FT. GRANTS.

The report of Inspector General Lawton recommending that Ft. Grant be abandoned, following so closely upon the report of General Wheaton, department commander, recommending that Fort Grant and Whipple be rebuilt, was generally regarded in the light of a joke, but later information to the effect that Gen. Wheaton has adopted the view of the inspector general gives the question a very serious aspect, and citizens should lose no time in making a vigorous protest against the proposed measure. Fort Grant and Fort Apache are the only posts upon or near the Apache reservation. Fort Apache, of course, exercises a restraining influence upon the somewhat fiery White Mountain Indians but it is too far away to protect the settlers in Gila, Graham, Pinal, and Cochise counties from possible outbreaks of the several Apache tribes gathered about San Carlos Agency. Nearly every raiding party that has ever left the agency has gone toward the east or south, and Fort Grant, while not being on the reservation, is about midway between the two routes commonly chosen by Apaches when on the war path, and therefore in a highly advantageous location. Its proximity to the railroad is another strong point in favor of the site. If it be argued that there has not been a serious outbreak in several years, we reply that this is in no small degree due to the presence of a strong garrison at Fort Grant and the very effective service which has been rendered by detachments from that post. It appears just now that the vigorous search for the Kid's band, made last summer under directions of Col. E. V. Sumner, by successive scouting parties from Ft. Grant, has had the effect of frightening even these incorrigibles into a state of inaction, nothing having been heard of them for several months. But let it be known that there were no troops to bar the way to and from the reservation, and inside of a month these renegades would resume their work of killing; and every tiswin dance on the reservation would result in an outbreak, large or small. We caution our people to lose no time in bringing all the influence at their command to bear upon the proper authorities to prevent the abandonment of this important post. Thomas and Bowie are hopelessly lost and we can not afford to let Grant be taken. The war department differs from the other branches of our government in the quickness of its movements. Should no protest be made, the order for the evacuation and dismantling of the post might be received in a week, and with army officers to hear is to obey. Now is the time to act and let every one having influence in Government circles use his utmost endeavor to prevent the carrying into effect of the inspector's general's recommendation that Fort Grant be abandoned.