Sword Presented to General Miles.
The people of Arizona, having been finally and, it was felt, permanently relieved of this black incubus that had been hanging over them for the many years dating back to their early coming to the Territory, and General Miles having contributed so largely to the result, decided to do something marking their appreciation of the services rendered them, and this found expression in the presentation of a sword. Through a popular subscription a magnificent sword costing $1000 was procured through Tiffany & Company of New York, the blade being of the finest steel, beautifully etched, and the hilt of solid gold. The presentation took place on November 8th, 1887, at Levin’s Park, at the foot of Pennington street. It was originally intended that the ceremony should take place on September 4th, the anniversary of the surrender of Geronimo, but that day falling on a Sunday, it was fixed for Monday the 5th. General Miles, however, having been injured by the overturning of the carriage in which he was out riding at Santa Monica, California, on August 8th, the presentation was delayed until the date named. Many notables in our country, also the Governors of neighboring Mexican States, were invited to be present. A distinguishing feature in the very long procession leading to the Park was three hundred mounted Papagos, under their chief, Asuncion Ruiz, in all their barbaric splendor of feathers and paint. The Papagos had always been the consistent friends of the whites and the inveterate foes of the Apaches, so they were more than glad to participate in this event. In addition to the conventional combination usually found in parades, there were the 4th U. S. cavalry band and a platoon of United States artillery, William Zeckendorf, one of the very early pioneers, acting as grand marshal. One of the photographs suggesting this article is of this procession, evidently taken from the roof of one of the buildings on the west side of Main street, looking up Pennington street, and shows the parade the full length of the street, the head not having quite reached Main street. The presentation was made on a platform erected for the purpose in the Park. Royal A. Johnson was president of the day, I having the honor of acting as secretary, and Judge W. H. Barnes making the presentation address. One of my duties as secretary was to read the letters of regret from those who had been invited but were unable to be present. Among these I now recall letters from Secretary of War Wm. C. Endicott, Gen. Sherman, and R. G. Ingersoll. Among those present were Major Chaffee, subsequently Lieutenant General, and Lieutenant Wood, now Major General. The other of the two photographs is of General Miles and those on the platform with him, taken as the general was delivering his address accepting the sword. In the evening, following the presentation, there was a reception and ball at the San Xavier hotel, since burned down, near the station; this hotel at the time was kept by Wheeler and Perry.