Tracking the Apache Kid: Landmarks & Leads in Grant County

1. The 1888 Outbreak & Return to San Carlos

The Kid and four other Apaches were engaged in an outbreak “a year ago last spring” (likely spring 1887) during which white settlers **Big-Foot Mike Grace** and **Diehl** were killed ^[4][3]. Tried by court-martial, they were sentenced to different terms of imprisonment at **Alcatraz**—but by November 1888 they had already been returned to **San Carlos** ^[4][3]. Why they were pardoned was a mystery to contemporary observers ^[3].

2. The 1890 Chase in the Hatchets & Associated Landmarks

Captain Keys reported that his head scout identified “**Kid and an old man**” as the two Indians being chased down in **the Hatchets** ^[2]. The pair had killed two men (unidentified white victims), taking “several hundred dollars” and a saddle belonging to a man named **Williams** ^[2]. At **Rigg’s house** they stole guns and “a lot of truck,” but notably left cartridges behind while taking **a pillow**—behavior the scout found oddly civilized for a killing expedition ^[2].

For miles after their attack, the two Indians threw away pieces of leather cut into circles, stars, and strips, apparently as a pastime ^[2].

Captain Keys received orders from Colonel Bliss at **Fort Bayard** (near Silver City, Grant County) to take 30 days’ rations and scout for Indians at **Alamo Viejo** (possibly a ranch or waterhole on the U.S.–Mexico line) ^[2].

3. The Family Connection at Deming & Fort Union

At **Deming** (Luna County, east of Grant) in mid‑1890, sixty Apaches—including “**Kids family**”—were being escorted to **Fort Union** (near Las Vegas, NM) for compulsory schooling ^[1]. The officer in charge stated that “Kids” had been “committing depredations in Arizona” ^[1].

Legal & Ethical Notes