LIFE AMONG THE APACHES [SOLD]

LIFE AMONG THE APACHES

By John C. Cremony

Publisher: A. Roman & Company, New York, 1868

Hardback, re-print by Arizona Silhouettes, Publishers, Tucson 1951

First hardback trade edition, 1954, 20 illustrations by William Harrison Bryant, 322 pages.

Publisher’s Note

               The account of John C. Cremony’s “Life Among the Apaches,” first published in 1868, was republished in a limited edition of 750 numbered copies by Arizona Silhouettes in 1951.  This 1954 first trade edition contains the same text as the original and the limited editions.

               This rare book has been one of the most important source books among writers and historians from the date of its first publication.

CONTENTS

I.            Comanche Raid

II.           March from Texas to El Paso

III.          To the Copper Mines

IV.          Journey to Sonora

V.           Mangas Colorado

VI.          Rescue of two Mexican Boys

VII.         Jornada del Muerto

VIII.        Gold Mines

IX.           Pimo Superstitions

X.            Fort Yuma

XI.           Letter from Senator Clemens

XII.          Enter the Volunteer Service

XIII.         Sent to the Front

XIV.         Return from the San Simon

XV.          Apache Signals

XVI.         Condition of New Mexico and Arizona

XVII.        Satisfaction of the Apaches

XVIII.      Dangerous Hunting at the Bosque

XIX.         Anecdote of Captain Bristol

XX.          The Apache Language

XXI.         Chastity of Apache Women

XXII.        Apache as Warriors

XXIII.       Ojo Blanco Wounded

XXIV.       Apache Endurance

XXV.        Religious Ceremonies

XXVI.       Apache Boldness and Address

XXVII.      Ignorance of Indian Character Discussed

AUTHOR’S PREFACE

               “Those who may favor the succeeding pages with their perusal, must not expect any attempt at fine writing or glowing description.  The author’s intention is, to furnish a plain, unvarnished tale of actual occurrences and facts illustrative of the various tribes of Indians occupying that vast region which extends from the Colorado River on the west, to the settlements of Texas on the east, and from Taos in New Mexico to Durango in the Mexican Republic.

               “In the front rank of the tribes, occupying the region included within the limits mentioned, stands the great Apache race, and next are the Comanche.  The former of these will engage most of the author’s attention for very many and obvious reasons.  It is believed that the book will contain a large amount of valuable information, to be derived from no other source extant, and it will be the author’s endeavor to place it before his readers in a manner which will engage their attention.  Nothing not strictly true will be admitted into its pages, and if some of the incidents narrated be found of a thrilling character, the reader will experience satisfaction in knowing that they are not the results of imaginative picturing.  Whenever a personal adventure is narrated, it will be found to illustrate some particular phase of character; none are recounted which do not convey information.

               “Our Government has expended millions of dollars, in driblets, since the acquisition of California, in efforts to reduce the Apaches and Navajos, who occupy that extensive belt of country which forms the highway for overland migration from the East to the West; but we are as far from success to-day as we were twenty years ago.  The reason is obvious.  We have never striven to make ourselves intelligently acquainted with those tribes.  Nearly all that relates to them is quite as uncertain and indefinite to our comprehension as that which obtains in the center of Africa.  Those who were the best informed on the matter, and had given it the closest attention, were, at the same time—most unfortunately—the least capable of imparting their information; while those who were almost ignorant of the subject have been the most forward to give the results of their fragmentary gleanings.  If this volume shall have the effect of bettering our present deplorable Indian policy, by letting in some light, it will accomplish the author’s object.”

San Francisco, August 1868 J.C.C

Condition: very good condition