Creeks Suffer Severely; Apaches Ill

An unknown author reported that alcohol and alcohol drinking were having considerable negative effect on the Creeks despite the presence of military personnel. The tribe numbered 14,888, a decrease in size from 25,000 in 1836. Some of this diminution in size was due to pneumonia. In a separate report to General James L. Collins, the Superintendent of Indian Affairs in New Mexico, Agent Michael Steck wrote that the Apache prisoners "have suffered much from disease and are still suffering, and will as long as they are confined. Six of their number have already died." The diagnosis was not mentioned.