32 THE PIMA INDIANS [eth. ann. 26 



Maricopa Wells, near the lower villages, became an important stage 

 station when the overland mails began to pass late in the fifties." 



With the advent of the stage, the emigrant and the military trains 

 began the breaking down of the best that was old and the building 

 up of the worst that was new. For a period of thirty years, or from 

 1850 to 18S0, the Pimas were visited by some of the vilest specimens 

 of humanity that the white race has produced. Until 1871 the tribe 

 was without a teacher, missionary, or, to judge from their own story 

 and the records of the Government, a competent agent. Bancroft 

 has thus summarized the conditions prevailing during that perioil: 



In many respects there has been a sad deterioration diu-ing forty years of contact 

 with civilization, notably by acquiring habits of intemperance, prostitution, and pil- 

 fering; yet they are still vastly superior to most other tribes. For several years, from 

 1868, serious troubles with them seemed imminent. Presuming on their military 

 services and past immunity from all restraint, they became insolent and aggressive, 

 straying from the reservation, robbing travelers, refusing all satisfaction for inroads 

 of their horses on the setdei-s' fields, the young men being beyond the chiefs' control. 

 Swindling traders had established themselves near the villages to buy the Indians' 

 grain at their own prices, and even manipulate Government goods, the illegal traffic 

 receiving no check, but rather apparently protection from the Territorial authorities. 

 \\'hiskey was bought from Adamsville or from itinerant Mexicans; the agents were 

 incompetent, or at least had no influence, the military refused support or became 

 involved in profitless controversies. Worst of all, white settlers on the Gila used so 

 much of the water that the Pimas in dry years had to leave the reservation or starve. 

 General Howard deemed the difficulties insurmountable, and urged removal. Had 

 it not been for dread of the Pima numbers and valor, the Apaches still being hostile, 

 very likely there might have been a disastrous outljreak.'' 



As early as 18.59 Lieut. Sylvester Mowiy, special agent, Indian 

 Bureau, foresaw danger threatening the interests of the Pimas and 

 wrote: 



There are .some fine lands on the Gila and any extensive cultivation above the 

 Indian fields will cause trouble about the water for irrigation and inevitably bring 

 about a collision between the settlers and the Indians. <^ 



Again in 18612 Poston gave additional warning: 



If in the eager rush for farms or embryo cities tlic land al)ove them shcmld lie 

 occupied liy Americans, and their supply of water lie reduced, it might ijroduce 

 discontent.<i 



ments had not the Indian Department distributed a few plows a short time pre\'iously. (S. Ex. 

 Doc. 2, 723, 36th Cong., 1st sess., 1859.) The gifts were d'stributed by Lieut. Mowry and the survey 

 was made under his direction by Col. A. B. Gray. 



This original survey contained 64,000 acres— much loss than the Itmas claimed and actually required 

 for their fields and grazing lands. The commissioners who negotiated with them assured the tribe 

 that the present boundaries were but temporary limits to protect the people in their rights, and that 

 the Government would enlarge the reservation later. This promise was made good by a survey in 1869, 

 which added 81.140.10 acres (U. S. Statutes at Large, 1869, n, 401). In 1876 9,000 acres about the 

 village of Blackwater were added to the eastern end of the reservation. 



a " In August and September, 1857, the San Antonio and San Diego semimonthly stage line, under the 

 direction of I. C. Woods, was established, James Burch acting as contractor. This continued till the 

 Butterfield semi weekly line was put upon the route, in August, 1858, under a contract of six years with 

 the Postmaster-General, at $600,000 a year." J. R. Browne, Adventures in the Apache Country, IS). 

 The journey of nearly 2,500 miles was made in from twenty to twenty-two days. 



6 Bancroft's Works, xvn, 548. 



c S. Ex. Doc. 2, 727,. 36th Cong.. 1st sess., 1859. 



d Report of Commissioner of Indian Affairs 1863, 386, 1864. 



