Lesson 7: Quakers, Red Cloud, Southern Plains War, and a New President
Thomas Jeffords: A Good Indian Agent
Thomas Jeffords came west in 1862 as a scout. Later, he became a stage driver, then, in the mid-1860s, he became a superintendent of the United States mails. And that is how he came to be on the trail of the deadly Chiricahua Apache Chief Cochise.
Butterfield Stage Station, Kansas
By 1871, Jeffords was still with the mail service, and he had lost 14 mail drivers to the attacks of Cochise’s warriors. Finally, Jeffords had had enough. It was time to do something about this deplorable situation, and to Jeffords that meant just one thing. He was going to find this Chiricahua menace and settle things, once and for all.
Setting out alone, Jeffords rode through Chiricahua country. He knew perfectly well that the Apaches knew he was there and that they could kill him at any time. But he kept on coming.
Sunset on Chiricahua Country Cochise certainly knew that some crazy white man was headed in his direction. So amazed was Cochise at the man’s bravery, or stupidity, that he refused to give permission for any of his men to kill this white man. Jeffords finally reached Cochise’s camp and the Indian confronted him. This white man, who had learned the Apache tongue, told Cochise that he wanted to leave his weapons with him or one of the Chief’s wives, but they had to be returned after he’d talked with Cochise. The famed Indian decided to let this white man have his talk. Jeffords wanted Cochise to leave his mail carriers alone and give them safe passage through the area. At first Cochise didn’t go for this, saying that the request was unreasonable since the mail carriers delivered military messages against him. Jeffords said that that wasn’t correct, explaining that military messages went by courier. Cochise thought the whole thing over and decided that any man who was brave enough to come alone into Apache country to speak with him must be telling the truth. Cochise then agreed to let the mail go through unmolested. Sometime later, Jeffords admitted that he had been considerably impressed by the Indian and, in time, they became close friends. One year later President Grant sent an Army officer west to make peace with the Apaches. This man was the pious, one-armed General Oliver O. Howard. General Oliver O. Howard Howard, who was known to suddenly drop to one knee in prayer at any moment and in any situation, asked Jeffords to take him to the leader of the Chiricahuas. This Jeffords did. Howard spent 11 days in talks with Cochise. The outcome was that the Chiricahuas could keep their weapons and their own way of life and traditional range. They were given a reservation that took in the Chiricahua and Dragoon Mountains where they had always lived. And, at Cochise’s insistence, Jeffords was appointed reservation agent. In 1874, Jeffords was on hand to kneel at the side of his friend’s blanket. Cochise was dying. Ready for another trip west? Here's a link to an Indian Reservation that is "really" way out west! All the way to Washington State. Toppenish - "Where the West Still Lives"
By Jerri Brooker
http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/washington_state/33069
The Yakima Indian ceremonial building was central to the American Indians that lived there and their customs, including a yearly Christmas celebration that lasted about three weeks. At that time the building accommodated 300 folks. The Shakers also used the building for their services. The town's social biggie of the year was the annual Pioneer Dinner.
The source for this section is: Capps, Benjamin. The Great Chiefs: The Old West. Time-Life Books, Alexandria, Virginia, 1975.
