Академический Документы
Профессиональный Документы
Культура Документы
ooPMiiGiTr ntPosiT
Geronimo
Geronimo's
Story of His Life
Taken
S.
M.
Down and
Edited by
BARRETT
NEW YORK
DUFFIELD & COMPANY
1906
.1
RL^^r.f..
GCY
I0LA8S
S -^^
a xxo. N&
OOPYB
KJ
ILUII
'I
/
"
Copyright, 1905, by
S.
M. Barrett
Copyright, 1906, by
DuFFiELD
&
Company
,l\(i>Gz
DEDICATORY
Because he has given
my story
to tell
knows I try
believe that he
my
me permission
is
and because he
is
my
life to
Theodore
Geronimo.
PREFACE
The
this
idea
initial
work was
of
the
of
compilation
of the
life
Geronimo
as a prisoner of
captive,
i.
e.,
to extend to
anj^
his opposition to
our
and laws.
the
captives'
defense
clearly
store of informa-
be
desire
gestions
Sill,
satisfied.
to
Oklahoma; Dr.
Kansas
City, Missouri,
J.
M. Greenwood,
PREFACE
I especially desire in this connection to
Theodore Roosevelt
Lawton, Oklahoma.
August
14, 1906.
M. Barrett.
CONTENTS
PAGR
CHAPTER
Introductory
xi
PART
The Apaches
I.
II.
III.
Apache Tribe
12
Early Life
IV. Tribal
17
Amusements,
Manners,
and
Customs
V. The Family
35
PART
The
II
A[e.r leans
VI. Kas-Ki-Yeh
...
...
43
55
69
79
X. Other Raids
XI.
26
86
Heavy Fighting
98
105
CONTENTS
PART
III
Men
The White
CHAPTER 1'
PAGB
White Men
XV. Removals
Il6
126
Prisoner of
War
PART
148
177
IV
131
139
XIX.
113
the
New
of the Apaches
185
197
207
XXII. Religion
XXIII. Hopes for the Future
Vlll
213
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
Geronimo
How
.....
Dressed as
Naiche
tary
made
days of old
in
(Natches), son of
of
chief
the
Frontispiece
...
Facing page
Cochise,
Chiricahua
vi
heredi-
Apaches.
14
Nadeste,
Work
Porico
Nah-ta-neal,
...
....
(White Horse)
Apache corral
The conquered weapon
Apache princess, daughter of Naiche, chief
of the Chiricahua Apaches
Geronimo, Chihuahua, Nanne, Loco, Ozone
Naiche, his mother, his two wives and his
stock in
children
18
22
30
38
46
50-
&&
...
70
80.
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
Apache camp
....
Apache mission
Fort
Sill
Military Reservation
Asa Deklugie
imo,
son
Facing page 86
of
(official interj^reter
Whoa,
chief
96
for Geron-
Nedni
of the
100
108
144
118
152
l63
172
19Q
200
chieftain
Ready
16 years old
for church
1.
200
210
INTRODUCTORY
summer of
me when we
met, but
me
As
soon as
he came to see
me and
this,
had once
Mexican, and
Mexicans in
general.
I invited
him
to visit
did,
and upon
his
me
again, which he
him
at
Military res-
ervation.
J.
M. Green-
INTRODUCTORY
City, Missouri, visited me,
to
the
see
Geronimo was
chief.
quite
am
said, " I
whom
*'
have
Come,"
said
to a shade,
on
Howard,
a friend of General
heard
of
speak
you."
had
brought for
seats
us,
put
his
a VApache (cut
When we
visit
left
him
again.
me and
"
chief
my
came
to see
I said
father."
City
is
he has returned
father? " said
you
said,
"
my
ago. Dr.
father
spoke again,
this
Geronimo.
"
is
only
silence
my
He
No," I
died twenty-five
Greenwood
After a moment's
"
home."
to his
years
friend."
"
Your
natural
INTRODUCTORY
father
dead, this
is
and adviser
Tell
your father.
come
to
my home
him he
is
any time."
at
welcome
It
to
was of
tion to Dr.
drop.
In the
latter part
and
if the officers in
he would
tell
me
life.
Sill)
I immediately called at the fort (Fort
officer in
charge. Lieutenant
me
the
many
INTRODUCTORY
subduing the Apaches, adding that the old
Apache deserved
spoiled
A suggestion
from me
to be
and
soldiers
and
Arizona
that our
civilians.
government
officers to
kill
how
to
do
it,
to the pride
go
know
officer,
and
held a prisoner of
own way,
tell
for publication, in
life,
and that
Apache
prisoners of war.
By
return mail
I received
word
granted.
from Fort
Sill
that
the
had been
President
had
INTRODUCTORY
ordered the
officer in
An
mission as requested.
of the
Fort
War
Sill
Department.
the officer in
When
went to
command handed me
my
instructions
Apache Chief
M. Barrett, Supt.
Letter
to
the
tioned desires to
lished,
12th, 1905.
Schools.
above-men-
to tell
it
may
it
be pub-
in his
own
way work
to
Apache
tribe.
1st Endorsement.
War Dapartment,
The Military
Secretary's Office,
Washington, August
25th, 1905.
XV
INTRODUCTORY
Texas, to the Officer In Charge of the Apache prisoners of war at Fort
Oklahoma Territory,
Sill,
for
Sd Endorsement.
29th, 1905.
By Command
Sill,
O. T.)
(Signed) C. D. Roberts,
Captain, 7th Infantry,
Sd Endorsement.
Fort
Charge of Apache
pris-
By Order
of Captain Dade.
&
INTRODUCTORY
^th Endorsement.
FouT Sill, O.
O. T.
Sill,
is
S.
M. Barrett be held
6th Endorsement.
Fort
endorsement hereon.
It
is
recommended
the truth of
the story.
(Signed) A. L. Dade,
Captain, 13th Cavalry, Commanding.
6th Endorsement.
8th, 1905.
JNIilitary
Secretary,
INTRODUCTORY
War
at-
concurred
in.
(Signed) J. M. Lee,
Brigadier General, Commanding.
7th Endorsement.
War Department,
Office of the Chief of Staff,
Washington, September
13th, 1905.
War,
foregoing
endorsements.
(Signed)
J. C.
Bates,
Staff.
8th Endorsement.
War Departmsnt,
September 15th, 1905.
Respectfully returned to the Acting Chief of Staff
to
grant
through
the
oflBcial
necessary
authority
in
this
matter,
Upon
receipt
may
select
as
it
of such
to
such
competent to make a
INTRODUCTORY
proper and
critical inspection
lication.
(Signed) Robert
Shaw
Oliver,
War Department,
The Military
Secretary's Office,
Washington, September
18th, 1905.
who
It
is
(Signed)
Henry
P.
McCain,
Military Secretary.
10th Endorsement.
Sill,
will
give
the
endorsement hereon.
War
ITSTTRODUCTORY
This paper will be shown and fully explained to
]\Ir.
Barrett,
By
to these headquarters.
(Signed) Geo.
Cavalry, Aide-de-Camp,
Early
in
Whoa,
chief of the
terpreter,
Nedni Apaches,
as in-
book began.
Geronimo refused
to talk
when a
stenog-
told
it
in
Asa Deklugie's
;lcll,
house,
in
own
tepee, at
some mountain
the prairie;
wherever
his
no more.
On
the
day that he
first
tell
and
gave any
INTRODUCTORY
be questioned about any details, nor would
add
he
*'
another
word,
simply
but
left us
to
of assistance.
bit
to
said,
come on
all
He
it
was necessary.
that he
When
complete story.
tell
the
he once gives
his
1906.
He
had agreed
on a certain
come
to
January,
my
study
the interpreter
came
He
to
in
had come to
alone,
and
tell
me
that
hour
said that
and
fever.
we must ap-
INTRODUCTORY
point another date, as he feared the old war-
was a
rior
cold
to the grate to
warm
It
ride.
Just as he was
then rose
quickly,
our way.
foam and
reeling
Dismounting he came
from
in
and
come.
am
here."
I exi^lained to
and that
He
mounted
his tired
must
left the
room,
re-
he had kept
his promise.
INTRODUCTORY
When
Major Charles
W,
Fort
Sill,
me some
val-
give.
some instances
When
quote
" This
is
you disclaim
responsibility in all
an individual
assailed."
criti-
ronimo.
On June
2d,
1906,
transmitted
the
INTRODUCTORY
complete manuscript to the
ment.
letter
War
is
Depart-
from
the
of transmission:
Brief
'
the
officer
submitted to
'
of Fort
Sill,
me by
the
commanding
instructions
The manuscript
dent,
and at
his
(made by Geronimo)
of individuals mentioned."
" Subject:
Geronimo.
to this office
of War.
The paper
as to whether there
is
anything objectionable in
it,
is
returned.
"
The manuscript
of a notable Indian,
is
an interesting autobiography
made by
xxiv
himself.
There are a
INTRODUCTORY
number of passages which, from the departmental
point of view, are decidedly objectionable.
These are
found on pages 73, 74, 90, 91> and 97, and are indicated by marginal lines in red.
The
entire
manu-
it
is
should
not
receive
approval of the
the
War De-
partment."
The memorandum
objections of the
is
War
Department may be
the mention on
S.
is,
Hughes,
editor
The
of
Star,
Tucson,
Arizona.
On
manuscript,
Crook.
Geronimo
This criticism
private opinion of
is
criticised
General
simply Geronimo's
General Crook.
XXV
We
INTRODUCTORY
deem
it
out comment, as
it
in
it
with-
On page
Of
faith.
the
made the
Apaches, but we know very
not responsible for the way
is
prisoners of war.
unjust
calls
treatment.
One
War
own
but
it is
its
ment of
and
in
Geronimo
state-
Autobiography
ment
frank
Of
War
is
course
Depart-
INTRODUCTORY
the opportunity to state his
sees
own
case as
lie
it.
The
in his
fact that
own way
Geronimo has
is
many unconven-
SXVll
PART
THE APACHES
GERON IMO
CHAPTER
ORIGIN OF
the beginning
INwith
darkness.
the world
was covered
day.
or
stars.
manner of
beasts
many
and
birds.
Among
nameless
hideous,
all
monsters,
as
well
as
and
all
manner
ser-
all
human
offspring.
tribes
of creatures: the
and the
beasts.
GERONIMO
The former were organized under
their
These
birds
wanted
and the
arrows.
The
could not
all
be
killed.
in
The
may
would each be
bears,
when
either,
The dragon
for
he
scales,
vile
was
these.
could not be
with
covered
One of
the
white
and
let
it
on
fall
monster's
this
(A symbol of
game of Kah.^)
the tribal
for
many
this stone is
They fought
birds won the
daj^s,
used in
victory.
After
this
war was
over, although
some
evil beasts
and
light
live
was admitted.
and prosper.
The
his feathers
were worn by
of wisdom,
justice,
Among
the
many
emblems
and power.
had always
as
with
man
If by any
evil,
GERONIMO
was born
to her
The entrance
cave.
built a
camp
fire.
This
him warm.
Every day
she
would remove
the fire
child's
cave,
where the
fire.
more
children;
When
the child
all
of them."
wanted
saw
to
Once
his tracks.
Now
the dragon
this perjilexed
and en-
The poor
child,
this
the
wished to go hunting.
not give her consent.
said, "
At
To-morrow I go."
the boy's request his uncle
the only
man
(who was
little
bow
They
up
killed a buck.
broiled
and
his uncle.
it
When
the
They
child
meat was
on some bushes to
cool.
The
uncle was so
child
dumb
was not
aside with
He
Then he
said, "
This
7
is
GERONIMO
Boy, you are nice and
been seeking.
this
"
No, you
meat."
dragon
fat,
own
So he
sat
seat.
and
The
do?"
enough
to protect myself, as
Then
out."
you may
meat again,
Four
it.
find
times in
"Dragon,
dragon
like."
said,
will
" Yes, in
The boy
me?" The
whatever way you
you
fight
me
provided
that
"
with your
you
me and
bow and
will
then ex-
give
me
up."
may
four
" Stand
Dressed as
in
Days or Old
in length.
He
took delib-
bow
and the
directed.
right;
your
little
my
first
coats
shoot away.'*
The boy
shot an ar-
The next
scales fell
GERONIMO
Then
exposed.
dumb
said,
His
Then he sped
it
the
pierced
With a tremendous
the dragon rolled down the mountain
down four precipices into a canon
roar
side
below.
and
When
the rainstorm
had
in the
passed, far
down
thunder
this
dragon may
still
be found there.
taught him
2
Usen
cause
their
it
is
the
how
Usen
It is
primitive religion.
"
Apache
10
"
the
how
first
to hunt,
and how
to fight.
To
He was
of
justice, wis-
11
CHAPTER
SUBDIVISIONS OF
THE Apache
II
To
six sub-tribes.
Be-don-ko-he, I belong.
Our
of moun-
from the
east
Hne of Arizona, and south from the headwaters of the Gila River.
Caliente),
tribe never
had any
me.
He
difficulty
Our
with them.
to
He
He
man and a
Charlie now lives
His son
a good
brave warrior.
was
with us.
12
lived the
White Mountain
Apaches.
Navajo
Indians,
Apache
tribes,
We held
but never
However, we
visited
them.
To
Chi-e-a^hen Apaches.
within
my time,
They were
our
Co-si-to
chiefs
and Co-da-hoo-yah.
tribe.
South of us lived the Cho-kon-en (Chiricahua) Apaches, whose chief in the old days
was
Co-chise,
tribe
-wdth
and
This
my
GERONIMO
companion
in
in arms,
now my companion
is
bondage.
To
and west of us
the south
Ned-ni Apaches.
called
tribe
lies
Whoa
side
by
and I often
side as brothers.
my
friends.
He
Whoa.
The land of
firm friends.
partly in Arizona.^
JNIy
lived the
is
friends his
his
son
Asa
is
(Bedonkohe, Cho-
who were
fast
all
Only the
The boundary
lines
Apache
from
14
tribes,
of course, and
t)f Cohise.
Hereditary chief of the
Chirieahua Apaches. Naiche was Geroninio's Ueutenant
during the protracted wars in Arizona
from the
are vanishing
earth, yet I
He
created
all tribes
the
Apaches
them such
needed to
grain, fruits,
To
eat.
disease attacked
mate and
shelter
was
Thus
and
all
it
their
when
them
for medicine.
He also
He gave
and how
He
to prepare
them
cli-
at hand.
was
in the
by Usen himself.
When
15
GERONIMO
from
these
long
will
be until
it is
die.
How
no
Apaches?
2
decreasing in numbers.
numbers grow
16
smaller.
CHAPTER
III
EARLY LIFE
WAS
among
these
Four
is
places.
of eight
in a family
chil-
the
There
Geronimo
is
17
GERONIMO
dren
four
only myself,
family,
We
war
in
that
my brother, Porico
my sister, Nah-da-ste,
Reservation
Military
this
Of
girls.
(Fort
Sill).
As
father's tepee,
name
my
my tsoch
my mother's
hung
in
for cradle) at
warmed by
(Apache
back, or
tree.
was
trees as other
Indian
babes.
When
a child
my
mother taught
and
sky,-
f(
girls.
'1
the
He
moon and
me
stars, the
me
the
of the sun
clouds and
.ohe
e been killed
ilvstiny
and
in
Four of
his children
the magic
He
in
firmly believes in
Besides
now
living.
ta-neal,
and To-klon-nen.
18
i^
2:
>
^
^
^2
W
K 2
EARLY LIFE
She
storms.
also taught
me
to kneel
and
and
We
protection.
we
if
we had aught
against any
We
and the
With my
about
my
father's home.
played at hide-and-seek
pines; sometimes
we
Sometimes we
among
the rocks
and
of
worked
in the field.
Sometimes we played
that
an enemy, and
in
Sometimes we
see if
:;
GERONIMO
cealed
go to
sleep
hid-
many hours.
When we were old enough to be of real
service we went to the field with our parents
den for
When
toil.
the crops
We
among
the corn,
and
over the
there
field.
was need.
Our
field
acres of ground.
fenced.
It
The
were never
fields
tribe,
sumed.
as they
were con-
in
bags or baskets
by the husks,
carried
on the backs
EARLY LIFE
Here
was
shelled,
and
the corn
all
away
used
in winter.
We
we kept them up
them fodder
we gave
We
to eat.
had no
if
cattle or
We
growing
it
autumn, but
from the
women.
if the
All
pose.
wild.
No
Indians
smoked^
to
men
and
smoke
until
game
Unmarried women were
not prohibited from smoking, but were considered immodest if they did so.
Nearly
all
matrons smoked.
2
in
fact,
cigarettes
wrappers of oak
21
it
leaves.
made by
GERONIMO
Besides grinding the corn (by hand with
stone mortars and pestles)
sometimes crushed
it
it
for bread,
and soaked
" tis-win,"
tion,
and after
juice a
this
dians.
and
it,
we
children.
be gathered
When
the
were to
berries or nuts
small
children
and the
all
When
day.
they
of her friends.
following
as
she
Her
slowly
little
thicket
dog was
trees.
at-
EARLY LIFE
tacked her,
so
she
Her
httle dog,
by
reach.
She
fell,
After he
bound
it
up
lie
down.
camp with
hunted for
second day.
her,
That night
his load
of
The Indians
They
and un-
men
all
the
medicine.
GERONIMO
succeeding generation had
skilled in the art
of healing.
In gathering the
and
was held
faith
in
much
and there were forms of prayer and incantations to attend each stage
Four attended
of the process.
to the incantations
and four
Some of
mon
this,
using a com-
little
clothing in
Women
that
24
EARLY LIFE
INIen
In
wonld
steal
girls,
by agreement,
at a place several
from
tasks.
all dajr
25
CHAPTER
TRIBAL.
TO
IV
Perhaps
own
only our
tribes
would be
invited.
These
festivities
By
we
feasted,
direction of
The music
day
for our
accompanied by
beating the
(buckskin-on-a-hoop)
only the
tones.
esadadedne
of games (gambling).
Among
these
the tribal
as
jumping, and
26
It
is
played
placed about
TRIBAL CUSTOMS
four feet apart in holes in the ground, dug
in a
row on one
side
At
camp
night a
fire is
sides,
side.
sticks,
bone
see
fire so
The
side
The
all
players repre-
the singing,
and
down.
then
the blankets
They continue
are thrown
GERONIMO
player from the opposing team, armed with
a
war
fire
comes to
ckib,
and with
their side
moccasin
in
of the camp
is
If he
hidden.
the
guess in turn.
having
the
When
plaj^s;
number of
all
side
sticks
is
counted winner.
This
game
is
game known
is
lasts
We
broken up.
to the tribe.
four or
five hours.
all finished
are satisfied,"
I
the other
Our
young
life also
the vis-
is
is
it
So were
people.
had a religious
28
side.
We
TRIBAL CUSTOMS
had no churches, no
religious organizations,
shiped.
would
tribe
in such
Sometimes we prayed
silence;
At
to us
all
of
of our duties
Usen.
in
Our
When
services
to each other
were
and
to
short.
disease or pestilence
abounded we
what
evil
satisfied.
duties to any
man
outside
their tribe.
It
However,
if
sin to kill
29
GERONIMO
sacrifice
Sometimes
his
aged par-
sick, if
had
he had pro-
tribe.
prisons as white
men
have.
These
faithless,
members of the
them out of
their tribe.
or
cowardly
lazy,
ci'uel,
tribe
tribe.
tion
tribal laws.
Fre-
quently these outlaw Indians banded together and committed depredations which
were charged
However, the
a hard
lot,
against
life
and
the
regular
tribe.
their
own
destruction,
so
tribe
and secured
THt:
CoNUL'tKKI) Wkai'on
TRIBAL CUSTOMS
When
was never
Out on
me
this
w^ork.
up
to our
deer,
It required
more
skill to
We
steal-
Often
of one herd
w^ould
keep in
this
31
Their
in vessels,
condition
for
and
many
GERONIMO
The
months.
was soaked
in
the buckskin
Perhaps
pliable.
many
wild turkeys.
them
they were
until
tired
out.
started to fly
him and
we would
In
many wild
If one
ride swiftly
kill
ing club.
as
almost
up toward
stick,
under
or hunt-
on a horse.
There were many rabbits
and we
also
in
our range,
Our
and
as they
approached them we
side
TRIBAL CUSTOMS
strike the rabbit with
lie
If
stick
and
we were
kill
lx)ys,
when
we seldom
but as warriors
we
fish in
catch or
kill
we
them.
Usen
eaten.
in the mountains.
feathers.
tl:keir
skill to steal
upon an
is
It re-
eagle, for
wise and
good
view
I have killed
many
have
of
the
surrounding
country.
have killed several mountain lions with arrows, and one with a spear.
S3
GERONIMO
mountain
lions are
we
carried
often
When we
made
killed
them
horses.
We
from
These were
the
verj^
During
missionary
my
or a
priest.
Thus
Be-don-ko-he Apaches.
S4
We
had never
CHAPTER V
THE FAMILY
MY
me of
often told
father
my
cliief.
great
the
size,
of Indians
also,
Mex-
other tribes
Mex-
ican towns.
Maco
died
young
warrior,
came
chief
Maco was
be-
Bedonkohe Apaches.
of the
mother)
rigiit to rule
and Mangus-Colorado
chief of the
imo's father)
imo's
my
when
by heredity.
By
tribe,
thereby
losing
his
Geronimo
It is also
Mangus-Colorado.
35
the
accession
of
GERONIMO
When
my
father died,
When
him
in his best
wrapped a
rich blanket
ite horse,
his favor-
body
Then they
we gave away
all
of his
which
his
His grave
in
is
Wrapped in
splen-
in the
dead
hidden by
dor he
lies
piles
of stone.
in seclusion,
warrior.
After
2
my
The Apaches
deceased relative.
father's death I
will not
assumed the
it,
when
36
THE FAMILY
of
care
my
mother.
our tribe she might have done so immediately after his death.
his
mother chose to
live
home and
We
lived
I supported her.
>,
was admitted
Then
liked.
hibited
me from
When
admitted
my
me.
this,
tribe.
This
GERONIMO
would be
my
glorious.
people in battle.
now
that
of No-po-so.
girl,
me was
delicate
me
these
went
privileges I
no
interest to
for her. I
made no
appeared before
reply, but in a
his
was
our
all
many
wigwam
with me
ponies
few days
Alope.
This
tribe.
my
38
spears, bows,
and
Apache Prixckss
Daughter of Naiche, chief of the Chiricahua Apaches
THE FAMILY
arrows.
rations of beads
skin,
home.
We
dren came to us
and worked
money from
Three
threw
also
walls of our
also got
She
never strong.
tered,
deco-
little
loi-
had done.
tlie
Mexicans.
chil-
The Apaches
deemed
it
of no
away.
39
PART
II
THE MEXICANS
CHAPTER
VI
KAS-KI-YEH
The
Part I
I
all
the
summer of
Massacre
we went
Our whole
tribe
Sonora toward Casa Grande, our destinabut just before reaching that place w^e
tion,
Here we stayed
city.
tion
camp under
plies,
into
oiu'
town to
the protec-
arms, sup-
who
told us that
chil-
43
GERONIMO
some other town had attacked our camp,
killed all the warriors
all
and
children.
cealing ourselves
nightfall,
as
we could
best
when we assembled
Silently
we
young
wife,
and
at our ap-
thicket
my
slain.
my
by
one by one:
stole in
until
were
all
aged mother,
my
There were no
river.
lights
silently
How
my
place.
it
my
vote for or
or supplies,
and
and
KAS-KI-YEH
icans far inside their
own
we
could
So our
chief,
territory,
start at
upon
I stood until
all
the
field.
was forbidden.
my
loved
I did not
followed the
had no purpose
tribe
left.
silently,
I finally
keeping just
when
the
as well as
this place I
to
I had killed
march
eat,
eat.
me
45
^N,
to say.
GERONIMO
For two days and
three nights
we were
we made
where we
camp near
the
Mexican bor-
Here
two days.
rested
I took
who had
had
lost all.
at our
own
settlement.
er's
I burned
ones.
little
I also burned
all
True, I could
visit
my
my father's grave,
thing to remind
heart
Mex-
my
moth-
in our quiet
them
her property.
me
his
Mexico.
1
destroy his
own
46
Revenge
II
^Part
As
soon as
we had again
collected
some
all
our
I was appointed to
against Mexico.
solicit
When
tain dell
and took
their seats
on the ground,
smoking.
At
a signal
my
cause as follows:
"
icans
have recently
You
are
brothers.
my
relatives
uncles,
cousins,
GERONIMO
icans are
done to
them
attack
us.
will lead
them
me
avenge
to
these JMexicans
you
"
will all
their city
homes.
follow
we
you to
in their
will
this
you come?
the rule in
may
young men are
war
return or they
be
these
killed I
from
their
It
is
^men
killed.
well
may
If any of
want no blame
If I
am
My
killed
no one
people have
will
I will fight in
come.
Remember
trail
all
I, too, will
need be."
Nedni Apaches.
heard
me
Their chief.
Whoa,
when
all
KAS-KI-YEH
might speak.
I addressed
promised to help
was
It
in the
as I
had
and they
also
them
tribe,
us.
summer of
1859, almost a
year from the date of the massacre of Kaskiyeh, that these three tribes were assembled
on the IMexican border to go upon the warTheir faces were painted, the war
path.
bands
long scalp-locks
who
them.
in a
their
could overcome
With
border.
posted,
these families a
guard was
When
Strips
all
of
buckskin
about
two inches
wide
fastened
At
in
this
one
^9
GERONIMO
command
to
go forward.
None of
us were
also a cloth
wrapped about
his loins.
slept,
In
protection as clothing.
fight
battle,
if
the
cloth-
Each warrior carried three days' rations, but as we often killed game while on
the march, we seldoni were without food.
ing.
the Bedon-
Chokonen Apaches by
Cochise,
and the
forty-five miles a
day.
we could
movements concealed.
50
We
entered Sonora
7.
KAS-KI-YEH
and went southward past Quitaco, Nacozari,
and many smaller settlements.
When we
were
almost at
men
and
scalped.
we
Arispe
These we captured,
came.
The skirmishing
lasted all
day with-
we captured
their
supply
train, so
we had
sentinels
and did
day.
not
As we had
in the
came
I recognized
who had
killed
my
GERONIMO
people at Kaskiyeh.
chieftains,
and they
might
said that I
direct
the battle.
I was no chief
than others,
this
trust.
circle
near the
their infantry
alry in reserve.
river,
up
two
in
lines,
and
Soon
fire.
In
all
to attack
and
my vow of
fury. Many
of
my
my
vengeance,
fell
by
my
Many
The
battle lasted
At
KAS-KI-YEH
center of the field
warriors.
gone, our
all
We
mies.
who had
all
stood
fled
toward our
fell.
I killed
him with
my
knife and
seen.
the
But
bodies
kill.
the
Apaches had
field,
covered with
fierce
Apache war-whoop.
Still
my
en-
GERONIMO
emies,
still
still
my
holding
conquering weapon,
braves
Then
Apaches.
the
all
the slain/
my
loved ones, I
could
rejoice
Apaches
in
The
revenge.
this
of
" Kas-ki-yeh."
4
the
From
the
moment
command
the
for
war
given with
is
religious
guise.
The
etc.,
war
is
name; as
if,
to
called
by
its
sacred
death.
The Indian
by a sacred name
as the case
may
is
to
be.
which
is
Go
khla
him Geronimo,
a name he has borne ever since both among the Indians and
white men.
54
CHAPTER
VII
ALL
Apaches were
satisfied
^
still
the other
desired
For
more revenge.
several
other
Finally
suc-
me
We
left
our
and
daj^s'
of Sonora and
fol-
Here we
know
the
light
we approached from
name of
1
this village.)
(I do not
At
day-
the mountains.
55
de-
GERONIMO
We
ad-
before
we
vanced
but
cautiously,
just
from
the houses.
killed.
the
day while
gun
in hand,
aim
at
had a chance
think I missed
my
aim
head
me
off;
I do not
either time.
With
more time
But
the
Mex-
Several times
mounted Mexicans
many
fighting,
in concealment I
to take deliberate
and
side;
foot,
all
fire
tried to
tired.
hiding, although I
was
rest.
my pursuers,
The
but
UNDER DIFFICULTIES
I never slackened
my
my
camp
companions, ex-
children of
my
two dead
Some of
the
evil
Having
failed, it
should remain
But my
silent.
feelings to-
still
I never
was hard
to
my
proposed
raids.
this last
I persuaded
raiding the
Mexican
mer
raid
frontier.
adventure
to join
On
and
Mountains.
in
Nedni
the
This time
we
Cho-
the
Sierra
Madre
traveled
south,
secured
entered
We
me
our for-
it
57
GERONIMO
more
and prepared
rations,
raids.
We
had
to
begin our
camp and
INIexican
fired
on
us,
one warrior.
company of Mexican troops coming from the south. They were mounted
served a
We
followed their
we were
trail until
sure
zona; then
three
We
days
we
own
our
reached
arrived at noon,
settlement.
the
Their
Many
first
volley
of the war-
in
camp were
able
fore night.
lost five
We
killed eight
Mexicans and
in
The
full retreat.
UNDER DIFFICULTIES
Four
and
ing that the Mexican cavalry had left Arizona, going southward.
Soon after
I
the
^lexicans,
warriors.
to take the
warpath against
this
We
summer of 1860)
followed the
trail
of the
The
There
in this
discovered
mounted Mexican
that
ambushed the
trail
We
come.
by properly
a mountain de-
given.
59
GERONIMO
and placing
on the outside of
their horses
made a good
fight against us.
I saw that we could not
dislodge them without using all our ammuniThe warriors sudtion, so I led a charge.
denly pressed in from all sides and we
fought hand to hand. During this encounthe company, for breastworks,
my
ter I raised
spear to
kill
a IVIexican sol-
gun
at
me
I was
my
a pool of blood, I
He
trooper.
fell
struck
me
foot slipping in
me
senseless.
my
spear.
soldier
Mexican with a
was
When
left alive.
the
Apache
unconscious
bathed
me
my
where I had
head
in cold
to consciousness.
fallen.
They
UNDER DIFFICULTIES
my wound
weak from
loss
given
me by
we had
still
In
that musketeer.
this fight
no glory
Arizona.
in
was
No
We entered
Mountains four
Grande.
Here we
They reported
five miles
west of
we
for their
leaving
61
mule pack
attacked them.
lives,
us.
and sent
GERONIMO
mules were loaded with provisions, most of
which we took home.
Two
mules were
threw away.
trains
We started to take
this
we
these pack
nora, but
We
had
At
the
ing
first
eye and I
fell
me
unconscious.
The Mexicans,
think-
Indians.
sciousness
the
a glanc-
ing
me
fire.
pork
if they
62
will
to
do so
Geronimo
positively re-
UNDER DIFFICULTIES
turned, and I stood between two hostile companies, but I did not stand long.
Bullets
One
to me.
on
my
and
side,
I climbed
suers.
wound
up
my
pur-
The
troopers saw
come
on.
It had been understood that in case of surprise with this booty, our place
of rendez-
we
From
this place
handed.
to report.
We had
Again
was
GERONIMO
had gone on a hunt and some of them had
Navajo
ing to get
I remained at
Indians.
my wounds
healed.
just at
lighting the
camp
fires to
three companies of
prepare breakfast,
surrounded
our
opened
fire.
settlement
children
captured.
My
left eye
one of the
the
night
lives.
in
officers
was
and a few
women were
still
swollen
then
make good my
The
escape
among
the rocks.
Winter was
at hand.
camp
at this time,
UNDER DIFFICULTIES
trail
It
battle.
at
this
After some
tepee
little
knives,
One
growling
Francisco,
party
the
(about
started to build
camp
just
seventeen
the
65
fire
all sleep.
the
woman
years
fire,
In
outside
youngest
up
walls.
this
heard
their
of
tepee.
of
the
age),
when a moun-
GERONIMO
and
The suddenness of
tacked her.
the attack
She was no
at-
The
lion
this she
He
time.
from
loss
other
women
The
lion
had been
Finally he
She again
called
him with
their knives
and
killed him.
Then
When
their
safety.
66
tribe
in
UNDER DIFFICULTIES
This
woman
prisoner of
(Francisco)
war
was held
as a
Apaches and
Reservation in 1892.
Sill
Her
scars
The
her hands.
fore
we became
JNIany
away
three older
at diiFerent times
did underwent
died be-
prisoners of war.
women and
many of them
women
by Mexicans.
many
hardships in order to
Those
When
Mex-
Not
who
captured by
in chains.
the
Four
at a place
half,
We never
GERONIMO
Mexican men when captured were compelled
cut
to
women and
own people.
3
The
children
was
who used
finally
Whoa, remembers a
to play with the
and thenceforth
He
little
Apache
exchanged.
Mexican
"
horses.
until he
child
were
killed at this
VIII
RAIDS
THAT WERE
summer of
INmenthe and
invaded
SUCCESSFtTL
territory.
then in the
Here we
About ten
ers,
o'clock next
morning four
driv-
pack-mule
train.
As
lives,
sugar.
We
hurried
home
as
and loaf
fast as
we
in Ari-
GERONIMO
train.
When we
ready seen
us,
found that
We
the canon.
first
examined
mules were
his
at full
tilt
train
his
al-
up
and
loaded with
all
cheese.
and
tempt to
trail
the driver
and I
am
sure he
We
tribe.
gave a
and danced
all
chief,
Then
assembled the
Some of
night.
the pack
we kept out
we would know if Mexican
took
command of one
other.
horses,
We
All our
Mangus-Colorado
division
and I of the
then
their
SUCCESSFUL RAIDS
mountains, and destroy the whole company.
This
we were unable
started
we had
Mexican
had
scouts.
we
followed by
can country.
No more
winter.
For
sions,
a long time
we had plenty of
provi-
clothing.
sugar.
selected three
de
Sahuaripa JMountains.
We
a small
by the In-
camped near
make an
at
is
About
attack.
this
We
midday no one
GERONIMO
seemed to be
we
we planned to make
noon hour. The next day
stirring ; so
town
We had
at noon.
no
and arrows.
When
the
war-whoop was
any attempt
We
to fight us.
Soon
all
was
seen.
When we
discovered that
all
the Mexicans
their houses
These Mex-
icans kept
things.
many more
Many
we saw
in a
much
of the things
in the houses
wanted; so we drove
kinds of property
provisions
we could on them.
into a
72
and
Then we
SUCCESSFUL RAIDS
The Mexicans
When we
arrived in
tribe together
and feasted
it
all
day.
called the
We gave
presents to everyone.
began, and
camp we
next day.
This was perhaps the most successful raid
made by us
do not know the
ever
was very
into
Mexican
territory.
great, for
we had
supplies
I
it
enough
In the
fall
willing to
JNIexico.
all
we provided for
As
usual
into
Our whole
at a
tribe
camp
In
73
GERONIMO
if
any
their raid
would
fail.
We
Antunez Mountains.
We
and
supplies.
It
is
by the Indians
train
" Pontoco."
from Arispe.
One was
killed
Forty-five miles.
Mescal
is
mescal,^ which
fiery liquor
this train.
The
train
was con-
spices of Agave.
74
SUCCESSFUL RAIDS
As
soon as
we made camp
too,
I,
of
it,
fight
was
in progress.
camp, but
serve.
all
I expected an attack
from
JNIexican
it
command
attending
the
expedition.
was a
ill
luck
Finally
the
still,
poured out
all
stupor
moved
siderable distance
I returned to
in this
all
from camp.
camp
to try to
After
this
do something
From
the leg
GERONIMO
of one of these I cut an arrow head, and
When
spear point.
all
the
till
morning.
the
We then
killed
We
the
cattle
di-
was packed
stored away.
of meat.
had.
As
the mules.
in
we
first cattle
killed
ever
we
SUCCESSFUL RAIDS
we could not trade them for something of
value, we killed them.
In the summer of 1865, with four war-
if
riors,
we were accustomed
we could
more easily conceal ourselves when dismounted. But this time we wanted more
cattle, and it was hard to drive them when
we were on foot. We entered Sonora at a
point southwest from Tombstone, Arizona,
and followed the Sierra de Antunez Mounfore
we had gone on
Hereto-
to fight
foot;
on foot;
besides,
When we
supplies.
them
go
to our
directly
homes
cattle,
in Arizona.
se-
and drove
We
did not
Gulf of California.
77
GERONIMO
valleys with our cattle. We were not trailed.
When we
arrived at our
camp
the tribe
was
were
killed
packed.
78
CHAPTER IX
VAEYING FORTUNES
of 18G5 with nine other warIN the I went
into Mexico on foot. We
fall
riors
We
made our
When
Just as
coming
we had begun
came
in
and an-
We started
GERONIMO
cliffs
We
fire.
scat-
covered
all
our booty.
In three days we
we returned
to Arizona with-
to say, but I
was anx-
Chihuahua as far
as
Madre Moun-
We
kept on westward
to the
and
We
cattle
fol-
collected
we wanted,
Mexicans saw us
80
at
many
fcwl
\t^^:
..1.
VARYING FORTUNES
times and in
many
attempt to follow
When we
us.
and danced.
arrived at
and the
all,
During
this raid
led
Tombstone,
near
Mexico.
We
Arizona,
Sonora,
into
number were
cattle
northward.
killed,
we drove
two of
all their
upon
us.
They were
well
armed
first
saw
We
we could toward
and rode
as hard as
gained on us rapidly.
81
GERONIMO
fire,
we
we reached some
Then
the
We stood and
home.
We arrived home in five days with no victory to report, no spoils to divide, and not
Mexico.
disgraceful.
The
warriors
Colorado on
return to Mexico.
wanted to
satisfied,
other
warriors.
Mangus-Colorado would
we went on
foot, directly
Sonora, and
command and
toward Arispe in
in the Sierra
de
VARYING FORTUNES
There were only
Sahuripa Mountains.
of
six
us,
many
night), captured
provisions, saddles
Then we returned
and blankets.
camp we
to Arizona,
When we
and mules,
horses
arrived
No Mex-
About a year
troops rounded
up
all
the horses
Mexican
and mules
No
raids
year,
tacks.
into
Mexico that
We
were
all in
at-
About two
ment.
two
settle-
got under
way
GERONIMO
and mules before we saw them.
It
was
use-
less to try to
I took twenty
left.
We
found the
We
any
at-
when near
the
tacking parties.
Arizona
on our
line
trail
we
One
night
we
away
night
led
About mid-
camp and
silently
Then we rode liard and overtook our companions, who always traveled
boys asleep.
daytime.
We
fell
VARYIXG FORTUNES
trail us.
What
have never
know they
not molested.
home
It
When we
arrived in
it;
we were
camp at
^lexicans' horses
and
leave
them asleep
in
the mountains.
It
was
we again
85
w^ent
by the ]Mex-
CHAPTER X
OTHER RAIDS
WHEN
ters
this
tendency of the
to such a
marked
the
days
can
readily
Apache got
who
of con-
In order, therefore,
during the
eighties,
may
The
this
chapter
is
OTHER RAIDS
by the author from many accounts given
Men
Raid by White
In 1882 a company of
ders,
Mexican
six
tra-
were camped
in Skeleton Caiion,
to carry large
as they
morning to prepare
white
and
were always
men opened
fire
However, on
were rising
their
in the
breakfast,
all
made
the killing
five
his
some
this
GERONIMO
coyotes had left)
Two
of these
five
Mexicans.
dollars,
of
the
robbers.
this
kiUing lived in
Ai'izona for
although
it
their
fellow citizens.
Meooican Raid
from
his
cattle
to
The
One
Mexican border.
light,
the
88
OTHER RAIDS
duty the
in
last half
opened
fire
The
cat-
wounded
behind the
and took
shelter
posi-
ammunition
life.
He
remained in hid-
He
wounded and
w^as gone,
On
all
his
He
was
ammunition
the second
day after
this raid
some of
They found
delirious
their
near
No
GERONIMO
arrests
damage
The
will serve to
Apaches by
at least a portion
whom
Apache Raids
It
is
chapter
this
by our own
citizens
from
their
young
son,
were driving
ac-
when they
The
bodies of
afterwards, an
Apache squaw
told
Years
some of
little
boy
OTHER RAIDS
(about eight years old) cried so
much and
row
During
him,
was
intention
to
life.
In 1882 a
in a
original
kill
in a saloon in
this
Tombstone, Arizona.
killed, and, to
avoid arrest.
Hunt and
his
camped
few
them
and
killed
good
the
wounded
his escape.
These cowboys
entirely fearless,
and
On
the
settle-
GERONIMO
ment, one of the boys was getting breakfast
while the other went to bring in the pack
horses that had been hobbled
and turned
Just about
two Apache
to
camp, jumpr
consultation
the
perhaps
all
it
was advisable
to surrender.
Accordingly
Indians
one
The
rode
old war-
OTHER RAIDS
carefully
After
this the
fast
bound up
and remounted
Then
their ponies.
the
thumb,
said
"*
Doctor
Lordsburgthree
men
The young
wagon
fitted
dead in
tlie
that place.
much
harness were
The guns of
the pros-
GERONIMO
were the bodies of the victims mutilated.
it is
claimed
as
his
regular
warriors
were
in-
and
to torture
camped
at
employment
in the
Company were
in
war
at
war
United
were
There
States.
about
later.
Mexican
horses.
sion of the
The
fifty
They
OTHER RAIDS
days, getting their supplies of
meat by
kill-
With
this
old,
who had
evi-
not understand
much
Apache language
readily.
They would allow but one of the cowboys to leave camp at a time, keeping the
other under guard. They had sentinels with
sypglasses on
all
the hills
and peaks
sur-
the cowboys,
to pass out
mounted and,
as he approached, discovered
He
dis-
immediately
dismounted,
his
and
threw
horse's neck,
horse
his
own Winchester
when
across his
at
full
GERONIMO
speed,
making
signs to
him not
to shoot,
and
Then, as an understand-
Apache
to
his
this
would
the
in a
way compensate
Apaches were
eating, he drove
them on
left
them
of them.
On
tlie
arrival of this
troops, ac-
make
cattle the
96
Apaches had
o>
'^^
M
^
OTHER RAIDS
eaten, took the Indians
and
their stock,
and
left,
horses in front of
as they
these
pushed on
man
in
that time.
no wise con-
He
about them.
holds
it
knows anything
unmanly
to tell of
Such
"
Apache
were
the
events
transpiring
wrongs "of
serve to
when Ge-
his warriors to
his people.
in
avenge
This chapter
of savage lawlessness.
97
CHAPTER XI
HEAVY FIGHTING
ABOUT
^
by Mexican troops
in
our settlement,
make
raids into
Then we decided to
Mexico. We moved our
all
our belongings on
made camp
in the
way we wanted
and if we passed a
in this
us,
However,
and
IVIexico
in-
killed.
in the Sierra
Madre
HEAVY FIGHTING
Mountains who saw us moving and delayed
We
had
killed
We
in
his
ranged in these
mountains for over a year, raiding the Mexican settlements for our supplies, but not
we returned
to our
After remaining
in
homes
Arizona
went
tains.
covered JNIexican
camp
to attack us.
The
chief of the
The
warriors were
all
LOFC. ^^
division.
GERONIMO
troops and met them at a place about five
miles
of a
hill
their horses
was a round
It
showed our-
to the top
We
hill,
its sides.
There
we had about
the
hill
constant
fire,
We
up
and they kept up a
sixty warriors.
crept
riors not to
icans.
I
their
knew
ammunition.
Soon we had
a man.
killed all
would
lie
While we had
However,
it
be-
lost
We
since about
HEAVY FIGHTING
afternoon, seeing that
we were making no
The
hand.
JNIexicans,
running
that,
became
utes
we had
way and
first this
them
then
few min-
Then we
all.
Sierra
No
Madre
a year
we returned
to Arizona.
time
many
JNIexico.
settlements
live
a part
There were
in
at
Arizona;
Whoa, was
as a brother to
101
Their
me, and
GERONIMO
we spent much of our time
in his
terri-
tory.
in
camp
in the
moun-
twenty-four
soldiers
and
The Mexicans
sur-
JVIexican
camp and
prised us in
There
us.
fired
first volley.
on
us,
kilHng
know
I do not
camp
unless
were
careless,
at us before
near.
We
go forward and
We
up and both
were
killed.
line,
then we stood
battle.
HEAVY FIGHTING
we went
northeast.
At
by
about
eighty
us.
this place,
warriors,
Nedni Apaches.
At
Bedonkohe
and
They attacked
and we
scattered, firing
us in an open
as
we
ran.
persed,
field,
They followed
us,
but
we
dis-
their pur-
then
We shook hands
ised to be brothers.
and prom-
Then we began
to trade,
us,
GERONIMO
killed
more/
1
It
is
We fled
impossible
to
in all directions.
get Geronimo to understand that
particular town.
and each
city
He
still
a separate
tribe.
He
J04
CHAPTER
XII
turned to Arizona.
when we did we
We
remained
re-
in Ari-
now
went
into
In 1883
imo.
We
w^e
called
Geron-
Mexico again.
ing
this
Mexican
time
we had many
troops.
skirmishes with
In 1884 we returned
to
us into Mexico.
ering troops in
much
we
could not
GERONIMO
tired
place.
(explained in next
soldiers
We
had
lost
With
the moun-
of Arispe.
The
troops were coming down
United States
from the
north.
We
One
night
distance
and small
trees
this stream.
we knew
that
morning just
at
we were
The next
in,
Within
five
us.
We
made by
the stream,
and had the women and children busy digging these deeper.
We
killed
many Mexicans
that day
and
all
in
day.
About noon we began to hear them speaking my name with curses. In the afternoon
the general came on the field and the fighting became more furious. I gave orders to
my warriors to try to kill all the Mexican
officers.
About three o'clock the general
called all the officers together at the right
side
of the
field.
The
107
GERONIMO
sembled was not very far from the main
stream, and a
where
the
was being
and I
understood most of
those ditches
is
This
it.
" Officers,
sides
is
about
yonder
of the ditches
;
any
pris-
we want. Do
in
band
in
Geronimo and
This must be
hated band.
his
held.
an old warrior.
this ditch
my direction,
Cautiously
stood.
officers
crawled out
the council
little
this
wounded
to
Just as the
command
to
go forward was
and he
around
1
'
fell.
me was
Geronimo has a
fair
108
o
O
rt
>
seen.
fierce
was untouched.
From
all
my
war-cry of
people.
fire
front ranks.
After
was not
so fierce,
my name
They
speak
also continued to
That
During
Mexican
troops.
followed
we escaped
to the mountains.
with JNIexicans.
fought
trailing us continually
the treaty
from
this
time until
in
Skeleton Caiion.
During
my many
I received eight
still
in
carry
GERONIMO
the bullet; shot through the left forearm;
in the back.
I do not
did not
I have killed
many Mexicans;
still
With me
am
old
now and
shall never
go on the war-
it
Mexico.
110
PART
III
CHAPTER
XIII
ABOUT
that
to the
south of us.
We
had no
interpreter, but
we made
we
a treaty
with us.
and ponies
visions.
in
We
exchange for
also
shirts
know
kept
it
and pro-
We
did
we
blankets,
and
Indians that
later learned
it
was very
113
GERONIMO
Every day they measured land with curious instruments and put down marks which
on
About
men
Hot
soldiers.
I ever saw.
more white
their
first
white
These were
came.
made
men
camp on
At
Springs.
all
warriors.
They
dislike
who came
first.
my peomy tribe;
Not long
after this
some of the
officers
As
Mangus-Colorado.
war
chief,
114
THE WHITE
]MEN
Apache Pass
(Fort Bowie).
would
they
When
Our
Gopi.
Sanza,
went back
2
Regarding
^langus-Colorado,
cutting
Among
Kladetahe,
Niyokahe,
and
the
Indians
mountains and
left the
treachery
this
to the
this
by
killed or captured.
After
eat.
were^ attacked by
warriors,
Bedonkohe Apaches
were
something to
tent, escaped;
were
Avarriors
chief,
other
several
through the
the
given
soldiers.
and
be
attack,
whom
was referred by
his tribe
chiefs
held,
way through
into
and
make
fight."
115
GERONIMO
I do not think that the
believe
was
it
entirely
planned
by the
soldiers.
From^
the very
first
and the
officers in
Much
men was
deeds of
that
my people.
Mangus- Colorado
it
did likewise.
is
may
116
THE WHITE MEN
I do not
know
command, but
that ever
came
name of
the
was the
this
to
the officer in
first
Apache Pass.
regiment
This treaty
at-
In a few
days after the attack at Apache Pass we organized in the mountains and returned to
fight the soldiers.
the
tribes
commanded by
days' skirmishing we
both
that
was coming
Fort.
Cochise.
After a few
in with supplies
for the
had captured
This the
whom
the
officers refused, so
we
killed
we were disbanded,
117
it
GERONIMO
was, of course, impossible for them to locate
any
hostile
camp.
During
many of
riors
our warsoldiers to
officers
and laughed at
After
this
their failures.
trouble
all
of the Indians
any more.
we
men
men
a
sometimes
few Indians
they attacked
us.
would be
killed
Some-
soldiers.
side.
these troubles
did
this treachery
soldiers
QuANN'A
Parker
CHAPTER XIV
GREATEST OF WRONGS
PERHAPS
the greatest
wrong
ment
received
by our
tribe
The
chief of our
white
treat-
treaty of peace
ico.
ever
New INIex-
men
friendly and
in
this
more
settlement
reliable
were more
up
to their treaties
Mangus- Colorado, with three other warriors, went to Apache Tejo and held a council with these citizens and soldiers.
They
told him that if he would come with his tribe
and
live
from
GERONIMO
and
visions, beef,
Our
all
manner of
When
supplies.
Apache
he came
as they
receive
an
issue
to
tribe
Apache
plies.
these white
fully, the
if
Apache Tejo.
was
to remain in charge
We
gave almost
all
of our arms
Apache Tejo,
be treachery
any
surprise.
happy
that
to
now
New
Mexico,
men
GREATEST OF WRONGS
who would
they could
No word
From
ever
came
we heard
In
this
from them.
to us
whom
that
captured and
troops
attack
had exhausted
all
On
mountains,
herd of
General
men with a
men were in
discovered four
cattle.
front in a
1
we
Two
of the
Miles
telegraphed
from
Whipple
Barracks,
Apaches.
Among
121
GERONIMO
We killed all four,
horseback.
We
who
this
work we were
by United States
warrior, three
one
children.
Tejo, so
At
and arrows.
first
all
my
spears, bows,
divi-
in a short time
Once
to side of
my
my
side
It
many of
on
foot.
at call,
But my
and
GREATEST OF WRONGS
^'
if
During
to me.^
directions
we
this fight
scattered in all
later reassembled at
fifty miles
later the
The
at sun-
same United
new camp
this battle.
all
We could
ons,
and
do
at
fight.
little
it
to follow us.
left
sol-
scouts,
Reservation.
to
this
him at
He
full speed.
123
Sill
GERONIMO
Just before
States troops.
this fight
we had
We
divisions.
to disband.
tribe
the
their
old
camp
No
Then
treacherously slain.^
held,
and as
it
all
been
a council was
They
camp.
killed
Regarding
the
seven
children,
five
killing
of
Mangus-Colorado,
L,.
Hughes of
was early
in
troops
the year
'63,
C.
"It
his
124
GREATEST OF WRONGS
and
was the
it
After the
knew.
Their
trail
cold-
soldiers
and
clothing,
trailed
led
Carlos.
Mangus, who had been on
The
Cochise at Bowie.
old chief
at tlie
As
my
shall
with
the
This
is
end.
felt that
he was
to be assassinated.
if
hunt
again
never
my
over
people.'
the
He
he attempted to escape.
He
lay
in
the breast.
He
his
body by a surgeon,
and
is
now on
sonian Institution."
125
The
skull
exhibition
at
was sent to
the
Smith-
CHAPTER XV
REMOVALS
WHILE
them off
more
their
provisions.
horses.
Game was
scarce in our
to
do
so,
but we
We
Chihenne (Oje Caliente) Apaches was holding a council with the white
Springs in
New
ISIexico,
plenty of provisions.
We
126
men
near
Hot
REMOVALS
on friendly terms with
toria
was
With
especially
this tribe,
my
kind to
and
We
Springs.
his
easily
we went
to
found Victoria
the winter.
people.
Hot
and Vic-
We
for about
we had
perfect
When we
we should have
we
When
de-
I told
we
separated.
The
festivities
above
Hot
days.
I do not think
No
we
upon
his
band.
We
GERONIMO
are
still
his
people
(Fort
When
in
com-
This
How-
He
We
treated us as brothers.
United States
We
officers as
among
the
General Howard.
him.
If there
in the
eral
always kept
is
Howard.
and even to
man
is
Gen-
this
command of our
Post.
General O. O.
Howard was
Apache
ton, Vt.,
Indians.
and that he
is-
in 1872, to
the treaty,
in
also
he remembered
128
Editor.
satisfac-
REMOVALS
sued to us from the Government clothing,
rations,
and
directed.
Howard
supplies, as General
When
my
and
tribe,
Ra-
were supplied.
Now,
this Reservation,
to ask
and we
as prisoners of
war
in
rations.'
Out on
killed this
man,
On
some Indians
" tiswin,"
killed.
They do not
time,
and
129
GERONIMO
after this trouble
we deemed
it
impossible to
own
band.
to
San
my
tribe
back to
Hot
Victoria's band.
ISO
XVI
IN PRISON
in
New
Mexico
from San
When
Carlos.
they came to
come
me and
Hot
Victoria
to town.
and rode
soon as
we
in to
arrived in
meet the
town
officers.
soldiers
met
As
us,
the guardhouse
I asked
it
Scouts conducted
and put me
in chains.
left
131
this
me
When
they said
Apache Pass.
'
to
GERONIMO
I do not think that I ever belonged to
Apache Pass,
those soldiers at
or that I
Our bands
gether,
to-
expecting to
live
molested.
Apaches
They
to chains
guardhouse.
I do not
know why
these Indians
this
why
They asked
received no answer.
his
and failed he
bands of Apaches to
132
live at
ON THE WARPATH
Then
Carlos.
I think I
had another
not
know
that I
had another
and
at
trial,
In fact I do
trial,
but I was
rate I
anj'^
was
re-
leased.
After
this
we had no more
trouble with
Geronimo.
called "
Golee "
Nick
any
man whom
now
the
was agent
called
Indians
at this place.
satisfied.
In the summer of 1883 a rumor was current that the officers were again planning to
memory of
the massacre
in the tent at
Apache Pass,
and
my own
Just at
officers
up the
Geronimo
river above
133
this
time
come
v/anted us to
to a fort
we
Fort
GERONIMO
Thomas)
of
we
so
it;
We
come of
We
vation.
thought
it
more manly
There were
all
we
We
We went through
killed in prison.
chiefly the
led
in
to die
and
In
this
lost none.
the second
day after
diers overtook us
this
United States
sol-
we
I do not
killed,
and three
but we
children.
sol-
ON THE WARPATH
and ammunition at
Many
this time.
of the
guns and much ammunition we had accumulated while living in the reservation,
and the
Apaches when we
vation.
Mountains.
We
ranged
in the
mountains
re-
of
cattle
and
horses.
horses
and
cattle
at
away from
us.
I told
him
we wished
on our range.
to
He
would not
lis-
I went
up
I also told
GERONIMO
near Forth Apache and General Crook or-
dered
was arrested;
and scouts
officers, soldiers,
to see that
if I offered resistance
were instructed to
kill
me.
When
they
me by
Troops followed
us,
but
we were camped in
mountains west of Casa Grande. Here
women and
After
this battle
this
camp was
Geronimo's whole
attacked by Mexican
family, excepting
136
his
eldest
son,
ON THE WARPATH
soldiers.
We skirmished with them
killing a
all
day,
loss ourselves.
Mexican troops
another camp.
trailed us,
gagement.
It
is
we avoided
a general en-
senseless to fight
when you
We
at
many
points in the
Sierra
They
de Antunez
me
that General
me and
I went to his
were camped
Mountains.
Crook wished
camp.
When
in
the
Scouts told
to see
GERONIMO
me, "
to
tion? "
Why
I said: "
You
One year
ple lived.
me
that I might
same
as white peo-
told
it,
when
soldiers to
put
to kill me.
me
to harvest,
in prison,
If I had been
and
let
the crop
if I resisted
alone I would
in
instead of that
hunting
me
He
with soldiers."
said:
"I
it
this report,
Then
was untrue."
knew
I agreed to go
Now
untrue,^
know
and I firmly
me
to believe
that
him
what he
at that
said
was
to be
put in prison, or to
any responsibility.
138
CHAPTER XVII
THE FINAL STRUGGLE
WE
go
United
We
and
were
The
and
how
we turned
when we became
I do not
know
army went
after
back.
in front
we were
missed,
I have suffered
and I do not
care.
my
people.
*
was sent
The Editor
139
is
GERONIMO
by the Almighty
many
evil
as a
deeds he committed.
all
They were
trailed us continually.
led
Mexican^
became more
soldiers also
We
we
up
by
The
active
had skirmishes
finally decided
With
six
men
New
We
passed
many
cattle ranches,
food, but
for water.
]Mex-
whenever we were
but
We killed
in
need of
from
of
thirst.
New
We
ranged
in the
moun-
time, then
140
Mexico, we returned.
States troops to
come down
to
Mexico
to
fight us.
called
There
through a
ing,
and
passed
we
whenever
we wanted, and
We
Mexican
what supplies
felt that
freighters
lives,
because
we
we .gave no
to send soldiers
quarter to anyone
left
Gosoda and
GERONIMO
soon were reunited with our tribe in the
Sierra de
Antunez Mountains.
skir-
Four or
our camp. One
all
our horses
of dried meats.
We also
in this encounter.
About
lost three
Indians
as they
ourselves.
killed
In
one
this skirmish
we recovered
all
The
we
Soon after
3
this
we made
officially
same engagement,
of the horses.
142
troops.
They
with us provided
United
States.
real cause of
fight
any more
we would return
This we agreed
to the
to
do,
make
to
There seemed
diers
to be
Soon after
this scouts
knew
make
that General
and I decided
We
camp
north-
from
us,
I sent
my
and
to tell
143
him that
GERONIMO
we wished
Kayitah,
They were
serv-
They
told
me
So I went
had come
to the
me
to ask
camp of
to
meet him.
When
I arrived at their
camp
I went di-
my
re-
people,
who had
been captured ^ and taken away from us.
General Miles said to me: " The Presias
we wished
speak to you.
He
me
to
if
you
will agree to a
will agree to a
be satisfactorily arranged."
6
See page
144
136.
all will
War
GoTKHO
Kiowa Indians
Chief,
INIiles
told
me how we
We
could
raised our
We
not to be broken.
Then he
talked with
me
in the
I did
not greatly believe General Miles, but because the President of the United States
had sent
me word
make
I agreed to
the
and
I will give
to keep
you
it.
farming implements.
nished with
men
horses, mules,
cattle,
to
You
will
be
and
fur-
In the
fall
145
see
page
154.
GERONIMO
you
from cold
in the winter
time.
"
There
is
You
you agree
family. If
see
your
tribe
to this treaty
you
shall
five days."
"All
the of-
it
sounds
like a
He
it is
the truth."
know
man, nor of this new
might break
He
said
their laws."
"
While I
live
you
will not
be
arrested."
Then
agreed
to
make
the
treaty.
We
my
warriors.
Our
and
it
was
treaty
was made by
we made
the
oath.
'
never ful-
promises.
When we
INIy brother,
you have
kill
in
men,
you
7
will start a
The
new
life."
147
CHAPTER XVIII
SURRENDER OF GERONIMO
ON
February
11,
Senate
1887, the
"
War
all
surrender of
tions given to
Geronimo, and
all
instruc-
These
gress, 1886-7,
Volume
the conditions
is
re-
is
and corroborate,
SURRENDER OF GERONIMO
Upon assuming command
of the Depart-
The following
extracts are
from
instruc-
of Arizona and
New
Mexico.
"The
to capture or destroy
any band of
hostile
all officers
and
accomplished."
"
will
sufficient
number of
Indians
reliable
To
and as
trailers."
GERONIMO
may
commander
troop or squadron
hostile Indians
he
will
is
near the
be justified in dis-
command and
and best riders to make
mounting one-half of
selecting the lightest
his
command
shall
of
all
the efforts
Torres
"
"July
''Adjutant General,
"Washington, D. C:
"
22, 1886.
just received
Captain
150
SURRENDER OF GERONIMO
ronimo's
camp on Yongi
dary, capturing
all
Mexican boun-
This
the
is
While the
yet
it
troops,
has
results
decisive,
encouragement to the
given
and
almost
mountains
inaccessible
of
Old
Mexico.'
"In absence of
division
commander.
"C. McKeever,
" Assistant
151
Adjutant General."
GERONIMO
"
"
dated 18th:
"
'
Dispatches
to-day
from
Governor
from
Colonels
Forsyth
and
Beaumont,
is
teraz district.
ing
to
way
to Fronteraz
had
wanted to
thirteen
arm in
a sling, bandaged.
The splendid work of
the troops is evidently having good effect.
hungry.
Geronimo
152
Kaytah
Apache Scouts who were
Nahteen
Gen. Lawton
witli
SURRENDER OF GERONIMO
Should
authorities,
Lawton's command
is
south of
and
troops,
will
be there by
Lieutenant
20th.
On
The
JSIexican
"Major
Howard
telegraphed from
San Francisco,
California, Sep-
General O. O.
Presidio,
General."
"...
to
me
(INIiles).
They
de-
that
GERONIMO
they must surrender as prisoners of war to
troops in the
render to
me
They promised
field.
to sur-
in person,
Skeleton
Canon they
it.
halted,
me
parallel
.
and
At
saying that
(INIiles)
before sur-
rendering."
After Miles's
lows:
" Geronimo
camp amid
came
from
to surrender.
He
mountain
his
was willing
it
was
not the
their
".
cious
knew
He
Mangus-
last
SURRENDER OF GERONIMO
hereditary chief of the hostile Apaches hesitated to place himself in the
palefaces.
.'*
Continuing
hands of the
his report.
General
Howard
says:
"
I believed at
reports that
first
from
surrender was
the
official
uncondi-
tional,
would not
kill
the
hostiles.
Now, from
his an-
First,
spared.
to
their tribe,
D.
."
1886, as follows:
.
Geronimo
155
and
Naiche
re-
GERONIMO
quested an interview with
me when
they
first
and
in talking to them,
made of
them.
manner conceivable
to their minds,
at
Fort Marion.
with
United States
the interpreter;
is
now
at Fort
He
Sill,
Oklahoma,
156
SURRENDER OF GERONIMO
and the two scouts were placed
in a separate
me
essential part
at
j^lace
Canon
Skeleton
made up
their
able to escape
me
to
fully
with
still
them
'
:
You go
relatives in Florida in
five days.
"While
said to
at Skeleton
them
with you.'
'
:
Canon General
INIiles
The
conversation
was
inter-
The
GERONIMO
interpreting
done by a
from English
man by
interpreting
into Spanish
was
Montoya was
Jose Maria
do
Clay,
present.
" General Miles
and
said,
'
drew a
line
on the ground
line,
he
said,
hua
is
He
from the
first,
and
then picked
it
a short distance
'
This represents
said,
He then picked up
you, Geronimo.'
stone and placed
the others,
and
Indians at
Camp
it
said,
little
'
up
a third
distance
from
Apache.
The President
He
his
band
SURRENDER OF GERONIMO
and put
it
Chihuahua
After doing
Fort Marion.
at
this
placed
it
represented
said,
'
That
is
at
what the
of you to-
all
gether.'
want
to begin a
one of
his
new
marked
all
is
ridges,' then,
it,
he
said,
From now on we
life,'
and holding up
horizontal he
past;
Bowie Gen-
'
lines across
hand and
'
it
with
said, point-
rubbing
his other
palm over
will be considered
smooth
and forgotten.'
"
The
interpreter,
this
conversation.
GERONIMO
The Indians say
that Captain
"Naiche
who was
eral,
his
that Fort
is
come
Marion
do
You
to you.
all right.'
is
He
will
also told
go
to
them
Captain Thompson,
said that
your friends
and
also present.
no harm
'
Thompson,
in six
months or
so
all,
you
He
better.'
told
is
forwarded
comment on the
to say that
character,
my
with Indians of
roborating
all
kinds,
circumstances
160
and the
and
facts
cor-
that
SURRENDER OF GERONIMO
have been brought to
my
me
is
sub-
stantially correct."
commanded
by Major General O. O. Howard, U. S.
Army.
"
"
Pacific,
September
17, 1886.
Adjutant General,
"
"
the
Army, Washington, D. C:
General I have the honor to submit
following report upon military opera-
U.
S.
tions
"
On
about
of
the
Chiricahua prisoners,
161
GERONIMO
headed by Geronimo, Naiche, and other
chiefs, escaped
upon a
suming command of
this division,
my
as-
they had
on January
hostiles
11,
asked for a
a conference on
'
March
and
25, 26,
finally
and
27, with
it
Em-
San Bernardino,
Manus, with
had
was arranged
by Lieutenant
of scouts, to Fort
Bowie, Ariz.
"
of possible punisliment,
162
Geronimo
EaiiMa
Tuklonen
SURRENDER OF GERONIMO
and Naiche, with twenty men, fourteen
Manus immediately
Lieutenant
hills.
to
the
pur-
my
mand of
the
division
taking com-
Brigadier General
who at once
commenced by
complete the
JMiles,
set out to
task
his predecessor.
"
Geronimo and
depredations,
now
now
his
in the
out-
rage.
"
Early
in
May
General
JNIiles
organized
each with
cific
its
command of
instructions to
"
An
effective
holes,
no
rest.
GERONIMO
Lawton, Fourth Cavalry, was organized for
a long pursuit.
"
On May
alry,
had a
band 12
wounded.
After
Indians re-
by three troops
of cavalry.
"On May
Mexi-
cans.
"
On May
in
of two
killed
loss
loss
the
of
several horses
several killed.
*'
On May
Cavalry,
Vista,
rifles,
struck
Mexico,
the
capturing
Buena
several
horses,
near
hostiles
SURRENDER OF GERONIMO
"
The usual
tiguing
June
hostiles
lena,
when
his
by the
they
engaged the
About
and
the Mexicans
until
pulsed them.
"
by troops, continued
chase
21,
series
re-
August Geronimo
the middle of
made
coming
locality
thus
Mexi-
to terms.
being
definitely
made
On August
through
Lieutenant
Gate-
GERONIMO
He
was informed
war was
ail
would be accepted.
that
"
The Indians then proceeded to the vicinity of Captain Lawton's command, near
Skeleton Canon, and sent word that they
wished to see General Miles.
"
at
On
Naiche, the son of Cochise, and the hereditary chief of the Apaches, with Geronimo
the hostiles, with the under-
surrendered
all
standing,
it
out of Arizona.
" I
of
am
tional.
"I am,
deemed uncondi-
sir,
dient servant,
"
"
Major
General,
Howard,
United States Army."
O. O.
166
SURRENDER OF GERONIMO
Statement of
W.
T. Melton, 'Anadarko,
Oklahoma.
From
mone
Company.
Cattle
in
Skeleton
line
with J. D. Prewitt.
It
ride
intoj
Old Mexico.
hills
We
we
of Apaches and
if assailed
have at
least a
We
knew
Mexico.
down
in
Old
GERONIMO
Indians led us to expect anything at any
time
When we
we
struck
and both
in Skeleton
trails led
Canon.
ural route
from Old
and almost
all
JNIexico to Arizona,
this valley
when go-
one
fled
could
same
direction, except
mean was
a mystery to us.
when
What
this
Could
it
Were
off
in their
camp?
Were
be Lawton's
command?
168
Could that be
SURRENDER OF GERONIMO
Geronimo's band?
No,
it
was impossible.
these troops
Cautiously
we rode
to
was
this
notice
"
Then we
LAWTON.'^
understood.
short distance
we
who
camp
rather
As
nodded
his
GERONIMO
Prewitt and I rode away with him.
We
understand.
and
shot,
make him
him the
first
straining him.
we had
from our
corral.
When we came to a
Geronimo turned
mountain
tion.
if
aside, sa-
Prewitt's
pistol
them
failed.
and
said,
me and
didn't try
170
his
at least
it."
"What
hand?
some of
SURRENDER OF GERONIMO
Later we learned that he was going
path.
toward
directly
We
rocks.
his
camp
far
up among
the
to the corral
and remained
in
our cabin
all
night,
dians.
On
Lawton.
the
second
As
camp.
to
by Cap-
day two
Lawton's
ished, as
ditions
it
were,
and delivered
who withdrew.
their
it
to the Mexicans,
camp and
On
laid
down
General
INIiles
their
their arms.
dians again
the rocks.
(Many of
171
the
Apache squaws
GERONIMO
had
glasses^
field
or Lawton's
by these
discovered
spies.)
camp
into
for
with him.
The
Gen-
Geronimo
said,
eral Miles
" I
is
your friend."
of friends.
When
this
body laughed.
After
this
was no
there
remember
s
These
distinctly
field glasses
was begun.
of the treaty
is
All I
that Ge-
whom
172
dis-
officers
W.
At whose cami)
in
F.
Mei.tov
SURRENDER OF GEROXIMO
ronimo and
his
to be killed,
much
band of Indians
left
INIiles,
Lawton's troops.
left,
young
the hus-
under military
On
prisoner of war
escort.
made.
173
GERONIMO
All they found was a bottle containing a
piece of paper
names of the
After the
the
rat's
money hidden
in a
camped.
About
Apaches and
the
soldiers
manded
to
abouts.
We
they
camp and
de-
told
followed the
trail
on toward Fort
Bowie.
Apaches
past,
my
all
danger from
and I was
left in
camp
alone.
I was
the
4
species of
woods
rat.
174
SURRENDER OF GERONIMO
ing up our horses about half a mile away.
hill
corral.
The
rest
no more Indians.
the
hill
in the
hill
to watch me,
and
to shoot
we knew
because
at the crest
of the
hill in
me
This
rocks
At
their
hoofs of
camp we found
my
GERONIMO
fine little sorrel
We followed their
trail
take them.
"it
say
we were not
so positive.
and
tions
of
who knew
civilians,
surrender,
and,
sol-
the condi-
having
after
would be
made an
unconditional surrender?
it
Geronimo
this subject
it
would
ment has
made
in Skeleton
Canon.
176
CHAPTER XIX
A PRISONER OF WAR
WPIEN
I had given
up
to the
Gov-
their laws.
me from
there to
me
to
sawing up large
logs.
Here
There
and
all
For
in this place
until INIay,
1887.
direct violation
at Skele-
ton Canon.
After
to
this
we were
five
GERONIMO
years and worked for the Government.
me
We
in vain for
to that land of
Gen-
He
fell
is still
his
woman
recovered and
living.
So many of our
Mexico to
live.
for the
let
Agency
This sej)aration
my
New
one of
is
in
accord-
call divorce,
and
so she married
two small
had a right to
do.
Robbie, are
Mexico.
still
Lenna
The
children,
children,
which she
Lenna and
living at INIescalero,
is
married.
178
She
New
I kept one
A PRISONER OF WAR
wife, but she
daughter
our
separation
is
Eva
my
Since
with me.
another
woman (December,
1905) but
that
we
She
an Apache
is
divorce.
He
has always
One day an
Indian, while
little
knife.
prison.
When^ we
first
came
to
Fort
Sill,
Cap-
by the Government.
We
were
They were
in
1894.
179
1888,
to October,
GERONIMO
also
given,
The Indians
did not do
much good
how
many
cattle,
to care for
the turkeys
men
With
well, in-
the cattle
deed, and
we
like to raise
them.
We
do.
have
with them.
much misunderstand-
The Indians understood that the cattle were to be sold and the money given to
them, but instead part of the money is given
ing.
to the Indians
3
and part of
When
by the
officer
Indians
(Apache)
The
placed in
fund.
is
selves.
cattle are
it
supplies,
it
money paid
farming implements,
180
to the
placed in a general
etc.,
A PRISONER OF WAR
what the
"Apache Fund."
much
very
alike
not
ruled
consulting
may
all
the
to them.
It
officers in
charge to put
this cattle
money
into
and
told Lieutenant
Purington
that I in-
it
my
into the
Apache Fund, he
tell.
This, too,
may
do not understand
If there
is
it.
an Apache Fund,
The
ronirao.
criticism
it
to the Indians, or
of Lieutenant Purington
is
181
from Ge-
responsibility
warrior.
should
for
it,
by the old
GERONIMO
at least they should have an account of
for
their earnings.
it is
When
Sill
it,
General Miles
last
Fort
visited
account of
my
age.
I also remembered
it.
He
in the
said I need
and
tailed to
I have worked a
do any work.
am
ple as
6
old, I like to
much
as I
work
am
and help
my
peo-
able.
cattle,
but
182
PART IV
CHAPTER XX
UNWRITTEN LAWS OF THE APACHES
Trials
WHEN
by a member of
if
personally,
If he
in
is
make complaint to
the Chieftain.
complaint, anyone
or
may,
make
it
his tribe he
may
in his stead
this conduct,
and then
any way by
questions,
The
not believed
own
185
people.
GERONIMO
The
it is
a serious offense he
sit
with him.
man
ter
guilty.
is
is
If he
is
must object
would prevent
it.
If the accused
found
is
which
is
his associates.
Adoption of Children
If any children are left orphans by the
usage of war or otherwise, that
if
both
may
is,
desires.
but
if
tribe,
UNWRITTEN LAWS
them, but no disgrace attaches to the
chil-
dren.
We obtained
Lake"
Salt
''
our
from a
salt
This
is
little
lake in
a very small
mound
of the water.
drink,
arises
The water
is
too salty to
When
broken cakes of
water of
salt
is
this
adhere to
it.
covered
crust
is
These
may
this lake,
cakes of salt
water
will dissolve.
When
enemy.
kill
game
or attack an
To
his tribe
four
GERONIMO
On the first trip he will be given only very
With
inferior food.
he must be con-
this
is
On
"^^Sv
is
none of
On
permitted to have.
to
to
He
do them.
He
is
to be told
answer to ques-
in
any
way.
War
is
solemn
religious
matter.
If, after four expeditions, all the warriors are satisfied that the
188
UNWRITTEN LAWS
industrious, has not spoken out of order,
courage in
battle,
all
things, has
has borne
all
shown
hardships
may by
a warrior;
but
if
ageously, his
When
and
if
will be subjected
and that he
a stranger to fear, he
is
ad-
is
After
lowest rank.
this there is
but by
and
if
that
position
honor, he
is
asked, or
may
station,
is
no formal
common
on the
con-
battlefield,
maintained with
allowed to keep
it,
and may be
from the
GERONIMO
duct in the
first
position
mendation.
From
this point
by the council
tion
of the
in
upward
formal assembly
is
the elec-
chief.
age means
loss
is
to lead in battle,
Old
always respected.
is
Dances
All dances are considered religious cere-
They
medicine men.
Dance of Thanksgiving
mold
it
it
fruit
and
would
were said by
all.
Prayers of Thanksgiving
When
190
UNWRITTEN LAWS
the
leaders
bore
and added
cakes
these
to the usual
is
In
this
dance
by the warriors
and
almost
yells
is
more
vio-
Only warriors
Scalp Dance
war dance
is
battles exhibit
them
held.
scalps
to the tribe,
camp
During
this
dance there
is
in progress.
is still
191
GERONIMO
war dance.
yells
and
dis-
nity of the
There are
is
always more
dance.
scalps are
thrown away.
over the
is
No Apache
Social
would
defiling.
Dance
hood, should
At
my
childish things
young lady.
would make her
station as a
it
would be
sued to
Apaches, and
all
is-
many Comanches
mer
chief of the
Chokonen Apaches, on
192
UNWRITTEN LAWS
the
first
The
festivities
in
September.
moon
night of full
in
the enjoyment of the guests or the perfection of the observance of the religious rite.
To make ready
on a large
circular space
assisted
led
was
closely
mowed.
the dance.
First
camp
accompanied by another young
woman,
the
camp
ladies
fire;
camp
hour.
fire; this
Next
the
medicine
men
entered,
GERONIMO
fantastically,
Then
the
fire
members of the
tribe joined
circle
around the
when
this
it
who
greatly.
camp
dancers,
and the
" lovers'
dance
"
began.
The
circle
and the
ladies,
two-aid-two, danced
and forth on a
line
two
ward
ladies,
circle.
to the
for-
This lasted
circle,
and
UNWRITTEN LAWS
time each lady selected a warrior as a
this
partner.
fore,
During
together.
as be-
danced
this
and
if the
make
Upon
dance
is
all
such occasions as
this,
when
the
who
selected
If she
is
satisfied
matter
is
(medicine
man
the question of
For
1
do.
or chief),
what
is
The
portunity
is
a proper gift.
riages
who determines
associations
in
the
afford
ample op-
is
con-
GERONIMO
sent should be
two or three
dollars;
for a
less
than
five dollars.
Often, however,
During the
men mingle
evil spirits.
Perhaps I
shall never
hope not.
196
CHAPTER XXI
AT THE world's FAIR
*
WHEN
I was at
first
asked to attend
Later,
I was told
that
protection,
when
consented.
it
would be
was kept by
all right,
parties
in
my
was allowed
myself.
I sold
cents,
I also wrote
and kept
made
when
as
and
my name
for ten,
all
much
of that money.
as
two
might
I often
dollars a day,
fif-
and
money
before.
GERONIMO
Many
come
my
me
to
keeper always
refused.
me
go
to
tribes there,
whom
When
people
first
came
to the World's
down
this
the streets.
they would
many
When
visit
There were
the shows.
The
guards with me when I
Government
sent
without them.
*
In one of the shows some strange men
with red caps had some peculiar swords, and
manager
othero
told
They
Finally their
fight each,
Turks.
198
wounded
a hand-to-hand fight.
kill in
The manager
ing negro.
him
tied his
to a chair.
He
hands
was
se-
not think
away.
it
Then
was
possible for
the
manager
told
him
him
to get
to get
loose.
He
was done.
still tied,
I do not understand
It
how
power, because no
man
own efforts.
place a man was on a
himself by his
In another
platfoiTn
by the
side
it
then a
199
GERONIMO
who was speaking
it
down through
the cloth
cover.
smiled,
she
cloth
was
stepped out,
stage.
I would
intelli-
In one of
was as
man had
intelligent as a
He
man.
carry
man
many
a log on his
He
know
would do
it
down
am
do these things.
One
me
into a little
Eva Geronimo
Geronimo's youngest daughter,
16 years old
Then
my
attention to
had
in their pockets.
to look out,
for our
the
air,
When we
little
move
so I
was
me
scared,
in the Fair
ants.
The
dead
officers after
Mexico and
battles in
But
and I
and mountains.
high in the
sky.
air,
There were no
stars,
my
and
eyes.
as they
Finally I put
were
Ferris wheel.
201
laugh-
Then they
looked we were
all
GERONIMO
on the
street again.
httle
little
They
houses.
soon
it
nings flashed;
it
it
was
and wanted
tell
dodged
to
light-
stayed.
strange
little
stars shining.
keep
still,
and
people
platform; then I
clouds were
to
all
the
the
The
little
in earnest
about anything
All the
laughing at me.
202
little
like
we saw
outside then
;
looked
air
few
was
it
clear
it
rained
moon
became dark,
and thousands of
stars
came
out.
of the
but
rose
it
little
was
it
was glad
We
room.
so strange
to be
on the
streets again.
glassware.
things were
a curious
little
instrument, and
he wanted
it to.
are not.
this into a
am
shajie
203
GERONIMO
that if I had this kind of an insti*ument
I could
make whatever
it
very
is
instruments,
it.
But
I sup-
get these
difficult to
or
There
I wished.
little
with me.
At
some
upon a kind of
the water.^
shelf,
and
They seemed
sliding
down
to enjoy
it,
into
but
it
If one of these
its
killed.
little
brown people
at
204
some
islands
far
away from
here.
They
much
and I
clothing,
come to the
some
brass plates,
little
and they
tried to
was music
ever, they
it
was only a
danced to
How-
rattle.
this noise
and seemed
I do not
know how
man-
ners,
their people
how
to dress
have.
am
many
interesting things
was
at the
any way.
I saw
205
GERONIMO
icans I
am
I wish
all
my
the Fair.^
5
Geronimo was
Omaha and
was
sullen
and took no
interest in things.
The
St.
life
the
he
Louis
206
civihzation.
CHAPTER XXII
RELIGION
tribe
As
religious responsibilities.
to the future
state, the
specific, that
is,
we had no
definite idea
We
one, but
is
of
life.
me
as to
what part
which
what
is
it is;
do not know
We held
would make
future
life
life
his
207
more
j^leasant,
GERONIMO
this life or better,
we
tell us.
We
and
hoped that
in
tribal relations
In a way we believed
would be resumed.
this,
but
tion
spirit
land.
First he
came
to a
Before
this
He
let
him
way back
many hun-
light,
but by peering
him he discovered a
pile
of
where he stood.
Holding
208
to a bush, he
RELIGION
swung
off
from
and
in a
He
landed
and
as if
it
sun.
and
coiled,
quietly
came
and
close to
let
him
pass.
At
sec-
harmed.
He
at-
aside
GERONIMO
but when he had approached them without
fear and had spoken to them they also with-
drew.
He
sage.
emerging
into
fourth
section
this,
beyond
of
this section
seemed to be
in a forest,
After
this
he
came
many
He
said that he
whom
he had
he was sorry
consciousness.
I told him if I
some means,
if
die in order to
self
knew
this to
be true I
by
my own
hands, I would
by
my-
battlefield,
Rkadv
I'ou
C'miuii
RELIGION
and while
had some
are very
enough
did not
what he
perhaj^s
said
knew
I wish I
it is
as well that
my
life as
Since
Indians be-
beyond question
is
them well
the truth.
tell
recall
Many
to relate them.
we
that
But
true.
and
in
many
respects believe
However, I have
alwaj^s prayed,
to
fathers.
and I be-
the
lieve that
my
it
tected me.
go
to
church,
way
it is
good
my
religion.^
character, I
I be-
baptized in
ices
to
the
regularly
at
summer of
the
1903.
He
Apache Mission,
Reservation.
211
attends
Ft.
Sill
the
serv-
Military
GERONIMO
lieve that the
me much
United States
is
judge
have advised
many people. I
of my people who are not
in ruling so
all
seems to
me the
it
to live right.
212
CHAPTER XXIII
HOPES FOR THE FUTURE
1AM thankful
my
story.
in authority
me
permission
under him
will read
my
i^eople
my
story
have been
rightly treated.
There
is
For twenty
prisoners of war
we have been
held
Gov-
at all
Gov-
of the Apaches.
it is
than heretofore.
INIiles
we agreed
go
213
to a place outside
of
GERONIMO
Arizona and learn to
live as the
white people
my
people are
now
do.
I think that
capable
like
which
is
We are reduced
in numbers,
vate the
soil
ground
as
not ask
all
culti-
We
may
sufficient
What we do
white men to
We
needs
there
to
cultivate.
we
held on
Comanche and
cultivate.
these
suited
lands
not need
now
are
Kiowa
do
to
and
lands
the Indians
habited this
country,
climate
are
originally
in-
this
who
a result
is
inevitable.
214
Such
is
no climate or
which, to
soil
We
is
my
my
land,
my
now
ask
home,
my
It
I want to spend
to be allowed to return.
my
last
is
among
those mountains.
If
this
could be I might
my
people, placed
would increase
in
num-
that our
in
of the President.
They
w^ould be prosper-
soil
and learn-
now
respect.
Could I but
whom
all
the
GERONIMO
wrongs that I have ever
a contented and
happy
can do nothing in
must wait
If
act.
time
am
die
But we
matter ourselves we
old
man.
must
die in
and
this
if I
this
received,
bondage
Apache
my
life-
I hope that
tribe
may, when
to return to Arizona.
216