Noch-eye-dei-Klinne
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There is one BIG error in this statement from the Fort Apache handout:

Fort Apache was never under
attack by any hostel force, never ever, as U.S. Army records will
confirm!  The only battle fought in that area since the arrival of the
U.S. troops was on the mesa across the river where two Apache clans
fought a deadly battle over a reason no one remembers.
Further research will prove to you that the Tucson Citizen, and other
Tucson newspapers printed the story of the attack on Fort Apache before
Nock-eye-dei-klinne was assassinated, because they expected the
assassination would result in an Apache uprising.  In fact, the
assassination had the opposite effect, with every noteworthy Apache
immediately taking cover, some (including Geronimo) fleeing the
Reservation, because of the fear of being hung.
U.S. Army records will confirm that (a) The Tucson Ring were wholly
responsible for the assassination (Nock-eye-dei-klinne was a peaceful
medicine man who, as the whole world knew, received the Medal of Peace
in person from President Grant), but in order to incite an uprising to
keep the military (and military contracts) in Arizona, the Tucson Ring
petitioned Congress and other influential people that
Nock-eye-dei-klinne was attracting other Indians not for peace, but
doing a "ghost dance" (something an Apache medicine man would not do!).
The Army records also show that (although the term was not in use at
that time) a contract was put out on Nock-eye-dei-klinne's head, that
the Army insisted he was a peaceful medicine man and not worth the
trouble of going to Cibecue to fetch him (that he would go to Fort
Apache, if asked), but the influence of the Tucson ring and Indian
Agent (noted for skimming on the contracts) resulted in the local
Commander's authority being usurped, and a troop dispatched to arrest
Nock-eye-del-klinne.  The U.S. Army account of the incident confirms
Nock-eye-del-klinne surrendered peacefully and all went well until they
decided to set up camp for the night at which time an Army sergeant
under contract with the Tucson Ring attempted to decapitate
Nock-eye-del-klinne.  When Nock-eye-del-klinne's wife went to his
rescue, she was shot and killed, as was his son.  Nock-eye-del-klinne
and the sergeant were put under bonds for the night, but at some time
during the night, Nock-eye-del-klinne - after miraculously surviving
several attempts at decapitation, mysteriously died and was
decapitated.  His silver peace medal suddenly appeared in Tucson, and
it is still on display at the Arizona Archaeological & Historical
Museum in Tucson.
Although the U.S. Army made it clear that the only Apache involvement
was in attempting to stop the assassination by disarming the Sergeant
and others trying to assist the sergeant.  Despite the evidence and the
support of the local military personnel, the Tucson citizenry demanded
Apaches be hung  as scapegoats for the crimes of the Tucson Ring, and
as former Chairman Ronnie Lupe won't hesitate to tell you, that was
the  second most dishonorable thing the U.S. Government ever did to
Apaches (the first was to offer peace with the ulterior motive of
"exterminating" Apaches, as you can see from Secretary Colyer's 1871
Annual Report to the President.
Hence the "careful" wording of Captain Hentic's gravestone at Fort
Apache
Anyone who visits Fort Apache, should be well aware that if
any Apache band - no matter how small - attacked Fort Apache, there
would be no question at all that  Apaches would have won the battle! 
It would be impossible in those days for anyone to arrive or leave the
camp without being ambushed from one of the thousands of protected
hiding places which surround the Fort.  As historical records show,
Apaches would never camp there because the site offered no protection
(Apache camps were across the river on the mesa where their ancestors
camped 1,000 years ago).
I just think the truth deserves to be published.
Rico Leffanta

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