Mowry massacres facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mowry massacres
Part of Apache Wars, American Civil War
Date 1863–1865 Location Mowry, Arizona
Belligerents
United States	Apache

The Mowry massacres were a series of attacks by Apache people in a mining area called Mowry, in what was then Arizona Territory. These events happened between 1863 and 1865. During this time, at least sixteen American settlers lost their lives.

What Led to the Attacks?

Mowry, Arizona in 1864 by John Browne.

A grave along the trail to Mowry, a victim of an Apache ambush.

In 1860, a man named Sylvester Mowry, who used to be a United States Army Lieutenant, bought a mine called Patagonia. He bought it from some Mexican miners. Soon, Mowry started working the mine. This brought many other miners to the area looking for jobs.

However, the Chiricahua Apache and other Apache groups also lived in this region. They believed the Santa Rita Mountains were sacred land. They protected their land by raiding and ambushing settlers who came into the area.

At the same time, the American Civil War began. Many United States Army soldiers were moved from Arizona's frontier to fight in the war. This left the settlers in Arizona without much protection. Even when Union soldiers from California arrived later, the settlers were still in danger.

First Attack: December 1863

A writer and explorer named John Ross Browne visited the Mowry area in early 1864. He wrote about what he saw in his book, "Adventures in the Apache Country."

Browne described an attack that happened early on December 29, 1863. Two young men, J.B. Mills and Edwin Stevens, worked for Mowry. They were riding on a trail to the Mowry Mine. Two young Mexican boys were nearby and saw Apache tracks. They then saw Mills and Stevens riding towards a canyon. The boys suspected danger and shouted "Los Apaches" (The Apaches!) to warn them. But Mills and Stevens did not hear them.

The two men were about four miles from the settlement when Apaches attacked them. The attackers were hidden in bushes at the canyon's entrance. Several shots were fired quickly. Stevens was killed and fell from his horse. Mills had a weapon and fought the Apaches. But he also died from his wounds.

The boys who saw the attack rushed back to Mowry. A group of four men quickly formed a search party. They went to the canyon within minutes. But it was too late; the Apaches had already left. Browne visited the canyon 31 days after the attack. He said that signs of the fight were still there. Broken arrows, some with blood, were found on the path.

Second Attack: 1865

Browne also wrote about a second attack at the same spot almost two years later, in 1865. A doctor named Titus, who lived and worked at the Mowry Mine, was killed there. A Delaware Native American who was guiding him was also killed.

The guide died in the first burst of musket shots and arrows. This left Doctor Titus alone. He got off his horse and fought his way about 200 yards through the canyon. But then, a hidden native shot him with an arrow. The doctor fell to the ground and died.

What Happened Next?

John Ross Browne wrote about the graveyard at Mowry. Out of seventeen graves, fifteen of the people buried there had died from Apache attacks. Only two had died from natural causes.

During this time, Sylvester Mowry was arrested by Union General James H. Carleton. He was accused of helping the other side during the Civil War. However, Mowry was later released. He convinced the judge that he was only helping other settlers protect themselves from the native groups.

The mining town of Mowry was eventually destroyed by the Apache. But later, people moved back and rebuilt the town.