03/30/2009 2:23
AM
Posted by Whitetigress
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The Legend of Apache Leap
and the Apache Tears
According to legend, there is a
reminder of the early presence of the battles fought between U. S. Cavalry
troops and three recognized tribes: the Coyotes, Tontos and Pinals, all a
part of the Apache tribe. This story unfolds in the heart of the Superior
region.
History records indicated that in July 1870, General
George Stoneman deemed it necessary to establish an outpost of the Arizona
Military District at Picket Post, in an area just west of present day
Superior. The three tribes held strongholds in the mountains to the north and
east and were known to have carried out extensive raids.
In the
winter of 1870, a significant raid attracted Company B of the Arizona
Volunteers, who soon sighted the Indian lookouts. Though it was well known
that a tribe of Apaches lived on top of Big Picacho, the trail to the top had
never been located. The searches, trailing the cattle, discovered the secret
trail, climbed atop the towering cliffs and waited to attack at
daybreak.
The Apaches, confident in the safety of their location,
were caught off guard and completely outnumbered in the dawn attack. Nearly
75 Apaches were killed. Legend says those that escaped their attackers
retreated to the cliff’s edge and chose death by leaping over the edge
rather than being killed by the opposition.
Those who ventured up
the treacherous face of Big Picacho (now called Apache Leap) claimed to have
found skeletons. Relatives of those who died gathered a short distance from
the base of the cliff and mourned their loved ones. Legend says their sadness
was so great that their tears were imbedded into black obsidian stones. When
held to the light, they are said to reveal the translucent tear of the Apache.
Found in great abundance near Superior, just a short distance from historic
Apache Leap, the Apache Tears are said to bring good luck to anyone who has
them in their possession.
