Apache Kid - Arrests and Trials

Arrests and Trials

In May 1887, Sieber and several army officers left the San Carlos post on business, and the Kid was left in charge of the scouts in their absence. The scouts decided to have a party, and brewed up what was called "tizwin", a type of liquor. During the drinking, several became intoxicated, and an altercation between a scout named Gon-Zizzie and the Kid's father, Togo-de-Chuz resulted in the Kid's father being killed. In turn, friends of the Kid killed Gon-Zizzie. The Kid also killed Gon-Zizzie's brother, Rip. On June 1, 1887, Lt. John Pierce and Al Sieber confronted the scouts involved in the altercations, and ordered them to disarm and comply with arrest, until the incidents could be handled properly through investigation. The Kid and the others complied, but a shot was fired from a crowd that had gathered to watch the events. Several other shots were fired from the crowd, including one that hit Sieber in the ankle. During the confusion, the Apache Kid and several others fled.

The army reacted swiftly, sending two troops of the 4th Cavalry in pursuit of the escapees. The Kid and his followers evaded the soldiers, while relying on assistance from sympathetic Apaches. The Kid contacted the army and stated that if the soldiers were recalled, he would surrender. They were, and he did, on June 25, 1887. He and four others were court martialed, found guilty of mutiny and desertion, and sentenced to death by firing squad. In August, this was remanded to life in prison. General Miles intervened, and further reduced the sentence to ten years in prison.

The five were sent to Alcatraz, where they remained until their convictions were overturned in October, 1888. They were freed, but in October, 1889, enraged Apaches in the area were able to force the issue of new warrants, and again the Kid was on the run. Again they were arrested, and again they were convicted, this time sentenced to seven years in prison, and transported to Yuma Territorial Prison. Shortly afterward, the five escaped by overpowering three guards, Glen Reynolds, Eugene Middleton, and W. A. Holmes. Reynolds was killed, with his pistol and watch stolen in the process, and Holmes too was killed; Middleton was badly hurt, but stated later that he would have been killed had the Kid not intervened and prevented his death.