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GERONIMO'S STORY OF HIS LIFE
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Ge RON I MO
Geronimo's
■
Story of His Life
Taken Down and Edited by
S. M. BARRETT
Superintendent of Education^ Lawton, Oklahoma
NEW YORK DUFFIELD & COMPANY
1907
Copyright, 1905, by S. M. Barrett
Copyright, 1906, by
DUFFIEI.D & COMPANY
Published September, 1906
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DEDICATORY
Because he has given me permission to tell my story ; because he has read that story and knows I try to speak the truth; because I believe that he is fair-minded and will cause my people to receive justice in the future; and because he is chief of a great people, I dedicate this story of my life to Theodore Roosevelt, President of the United States.
Geronimo.
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PREFACE
The initial idea of the compilation of this work was to give the reading public an authentic record of the private life of the Apache Indians, and to extend to Geronimo as a prisoner of war the courtesy due any- captive, L e., the right to state the causes which impelled him in his opposition to our civilization and laws.
If the Indians' cause has been properly presented, the captives' defense clearly stated, and the general store of informa- tion regarding vanishing types increased, I shall be satisfied.
I desire to acknowledge valuable sug- gestions from Maj. Charles Taylor, Fort Sill, Oklahoma; Dr. J. M. Greenwood, Kansas City, Missouri, and President David R. Boyd, of the University of Oklahoma.
PREFACE
I especially desire in this connection to say that without the kindly advice and as- sistance of President Theodore Roosevelt this book could not have been written.
Respectfully,
S. M. Barrett.
Lawton, Oklahoma. August 14, 1906.
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CONTENTS
CHAPTER PAGE
Introductory xi
PART I The Apaches
I. Origin of the Apache Indians ... 3
II. Subdivisions of the Apache Tribe . . 12
III. Early Life 17
IV. Tribal Amusements, Manners, and
Customs 26
V. The Family 35
PART II
The Mexicans
VI. Kas-Ki-Yeh 43
VII. Fighting under Difficulties ... 55
VIII. Raids that were Successful ... 69
IX. Varying Fortunes 79
X. Other Raids 86
XI. Heavy Fighting 98
XII. Geronimo's Mightiest Battle . . . 105
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CONTENTS
PART III
The White Men N
CHAPTER PAGE
XIII. Coming of the White Men . . . 113
XIV. Greatest of Wrongs 116
XV. Removals 126
XVI. In Prison and on the Warpath . . 131
XVII. The Final Struggle 139
XVIII. Surrender of Geronimo . . . . 148
XIX. A Prisoner of War 177
PART IV
The Old and the New
XX. Unwritten Laws of the Apaches . 185
XXI. At the World's Fair 197
XXII. Religion 207
XXIII. Hopes for the Future 213
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I
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
Geronimo ...... Frontispiece
How the book was made . . Facing page vi
Dressed as in days of old ... 8
Naiche (Natches), son of Cochise, heredi- tary chief of the Chiricahua Apaches. Naiche was Geronimo's lieutenant during the protracted wars in Arizona . . 14
Last of the Bedonkohe Apache Tribe, Tuk- lonnen, Nadeste, Mah-ta-neal, Porico
I (White Horse) 18
Work stock in Apache corral . • . 22
The conquered weapon .... SO
Apache princess, daughter of Naiche, chief
of the Chiricahua Apaches . . . 38
Geronimo, Chihuahua, Nanne, Loco, Ozonne . 46
Naiche, his mother, his two wives and his
children ...... 50
Asa Deklugie, wife and children . . 66
Apache scouts — Naiche, Goody, John Loco, Porico, Chatto, Asa Deklugie, Jason, James, Allen, Captain Seyers .... 70
Three Apache chieftains — Naiche, son of Cochise ; Asa, son of Whoa ; Charlie, son of Victoria . . . . . . . 80
be
x LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
Apache camp .... Facing page 86
Apache mission — Valley of Medicine Creek,
Fort Sill Military Reservation . . 96*
Asa Deklugie (official interpreter for Geron- imo, son of Whoa, chief of the Nedni Apaches, chief elect to succeed Geronimo at the latter's death) Geronimo, Apache war chief . . . 100
Lone Wolfe, chief of Kiowas
Geronimo, Apache war chief . . . 108
Quanah Parker, chief of Comanche Indians 1 1 8
Gotebo, war chief, Kiowa Indians . . 144
Kaytah and Mahteen, Apache scouts who
were with General Lawton . . 152
Emma Tuklonnen . . . . . 162
W. F. Melton, at whose camp in Skeleton
Canon Geronimo surrendered . . 172
Chihuahua and family . . . . 190
Mrs. Asa Deklugie, niece of Geronimo and daughter of Chihuahua, a famous Apache chieftain ...... 200
Eva Geronimo, Geronimo's youngest daugh- ter, 16 years old ..... 200
Ready for church . • • • .. 210
INTRODUCTORY
I first met Geronimo in the summer of 1904, when I acted for him as interpreter of English into Spanish, and vice versa, in sell- ing a war bonnet. After that he always had a pleasant word for me when we met, but never entered into a general conversation with me until he learned that I had once been wounded by c Mexican. As soon as he was told of this, he came to see me and expressed freely his opinion of the average Mexican, and his aversion to all Mexicans in general.
I invited him to visit me again, which he did, and upon his invitation, I visited him at his tepee in the Fort Sill Military res- ervation.
In the summer of 1905 Dr. J. M. Green- wood, superintendent of schools at Kansas
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City, Missouri, visited me, and I took him to see the chief. Geronimo was quite formal and reserved until Dr. Greenwood said, " I am a friend of General Howard, whom I have heard speak of you." " Come," said Geronimo, and led the way to a shade, had seats brought for us, put on his war bonnet, and served watermelon a V Apache (cut in big chunks), while he talked freely and cheerfully. When we left he gave us a pressing invitation to visit him again.
In a few days the old chief came to see me and asked about " my father." I said " you mean the old gentleman from Kansas City — he has returned to his home." " He is you father?" said Geronimo. "No," I said, "my father died twenty-five years ago, Dr. Greenwood is only my friend." After a moment's silence the old Indian spoke again, this time in a tone of voice in- tended to carry conviction, or at least to allow no further discussion. " Your natural
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father is dead, this man has been your friend and adviser from youth. By adoption he is your father. Tell him he is welcome to come to my home at any time." It was of no use to explain any more, for the old man had determined not to understand my rela- tion to Dr. Greenwood except in accordance with Indian customs, and I let the matter drop.
In the latter part of that summer I asked the old chief to allow me to publish some of the things he had told me, but he objected, saying, however, that if I would pay him, and if the officers in charge did not object, he would tell me the whole story of his life. I immediately called at the fort (Fort Sill) and asked the officer in charge, Lieutenant Purington, for permission to write the life of Geronimo. I was promptly informed that the privilege would not be granted. Lieutenant Purington explained to me the many depredations committed by Geronimo and his warriors, and the enormous cost of
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INTRODUCTORY
subduing the Apaches, adding that the old Apache deserved to be hanged rather than spoiled by so much attention from civilians. A suggestion from me that our government had paid many soldiers and officers to go to Arizona and kill Geronimo and the Apaches, and that they did not seem to know how to do it, did not prove very gratifying to the pride of the regular army officer, and I decided to seek elsewhereTor permission. Accordingly I wrote to President Roosevelt that here was an old Indian who had been held a prisoner of war for twenty years and had never been given a chance to tell his side of the story, and asked that Geronimo be granted permission to tell for publication, in his own way, the story of his life, and that he be guaranteed that the publication of his story would not affect unfavorably the Apache prisoners of war. By return mail I received word that the authority had been granted. In a few days I received word from Fort Sill that the President had
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ordered the officer in charge to grant per- mission as requested. An interview was re- quested that I might receive the instructions of the War Department. When I went to Fort Sill the officer in command handed me the following brief, which constituted my instructions :
Lawton, Oklahoma, Aug. 12th, 1905.
Geronimo, — Apache Chief —
S. M. Barrett, Supt. Schools.
Letter to the President stating that above-men- tioned desires to tell his life story that it may be pub- lished, and requests permission to tell it in his own way, and also desires assurance that what he has to say will in no way work a hardship for the Apache tribe.
1st Endorsement.
War Dapartment, The Military Secretary's Office, Washington, August 25th, 1905. Respectfully referred, by direction of the Acting Chief of Staff, through headquarters, Department of
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Texas, to the Officer In Charge of the Apache pris- oners of war at Fort Sill, Oklahoma Territory, for remark and recommendation.
(Signed) E. F. Ladd, Military Secretary.
2d Endorsement.
Headquarters Department of Texas,
Military Secretary's Office, San Antonio, August 29th, 1905. Respectfully transmitted to 1st Lieut. George A. Purington, 8th Cavalry, In Charge of Apache pris- oners. (Thro' Commanding Officer, Fort Sill, O. T.) By Command of Brigadier General Lee.
(Signed) C. D. Roberts, Captain, 7th Infantry, Acting Military Secretary.
3d Endorsement.
Fort Sill, O. T., Aug. 31st, 1905. Respectfully referred to 1st Lieut. G. A. Puring- tion, 8th Cavalry, Officer in Charge of Apache pris- oners of war, for remark and recommendation. By Order of Captain Dade.
(Signed) James Lonostreet, 1st. Lieut. & Sqdn. Adjt., 13th Cavalry. Adjutant.
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Jf.th Endorsement,
Fort Sill, O. T., Sept. 2d, 1905. Respectfully returned to the Adjutant, Fort Sill, O. T. I can see no objection to Geronimo telling the story of his past life, providing he tells the truth. I would recommend that Mr. S. M. Barrett be held responsible for what is written and published.
(Signed) Geo. A. Purington,
1st. Lieut. 8th Cavalry, In Charge of Apache prisoners of war.
5th Endorsement.
Fort Sill, O. T., Sept. 4th, 1905. Respectfully returned to the Military Secretary, Dept. of Texas, San Antonio, Texas, inviting atten- tion to 4th endorsement hereon. It is recommended that the manuscript be submitted before publication to Lieut. Purington, who can pass upon the truth of the story.
(Signed) A. L. Dade, Captain, 13th Cavalry, Commanding.
6th Endorsement. Headquarters Dept. of Texas, San Antonio, September 8th, 1905. Respectfully returned to the Military Secretary,
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War Department, Washington, D. C, inviting at- tention to the preceding endorsement hereon, which is concurred in.
(Signed) J. M. Lee, Brigadier General, Commanding.
7th Endorsement.
War Department, Office of the Chief of Staff, Washington, September 13th, 1905. Respectfully submitted to the Honorable the Sec- retary of War, inviting attention to the foregoing endorsements.
(Signed) J. C. Bates, Major General, Acting Chief of Staff.
8th Endorsement.
War Department, September 15th, 1905. Respectfully returned to the Acting Chief of Staff to grant the necessary authority in this matter, through official channels, with the express understand- ing that the manuscript of the book shall be submitted to him before publication. Upon receipt of such manuscript the Chief of Staff will submit it to such person as he may select as competent to make a
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proper and critical inspection of the proposed pub- lication.
(Signed) Robert Shaw Oliver,
Acting Secretary of War.
9th Endorsement.
War Department, The Military Secretary's Office, Washington, September 18th, 1905. Respectfully returned, by direction of the Acting Chief of Staff, to the Commanding General, Dept. of Texas, who will give the necessary instructions for carrying out the directions of the Acting Secretary of War, contained in the 8th endorsement. It is desired that Mr. Barrett be advised accordingly.
(Signed) Henry P. McCain,
Military Secretary.
10th Endorsement.
Headquarters Dept. of Texas, Military Secretary's Office, San Antonio, September 23, 1905. Respectfully referred to the Commanding Officer, Fort Sill, Oklahoma Territory, who will give the necessary instructions for carrying out the direction of the Acting Secretary of War contained in the 8th endorsement hereon.
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This paper will be shown and fully explained to Mr. Barrett, and then returned to these headquarters. By order of Colonel Hughes.
(Signed) Geo. Van Horn Moseley, 1st. Lieut. 1st Cavalry, Aide-de-Camp,
Acting Military Secretary.
Early in October I secured the services of an educated Indian, Asa Deklugie, son of Whoa, chief of the Nedni Apaches, as in- terpreter, and the work of compiling the book began.
Geronimo refused to talk when a stenog- rapher was present, or to wait for correc- tions or questions when telling the story. Each day he had in mind what he would tell and told it in a very clear, brief manner. He might prefer to talk at his own tepee, at Asa Deklugie's house, in some mountain dell, or as he rode in a swinging gallop across the prairie; wherever his fancy led him, there he told whatever he wished to tell and no more. On the day that he first gave any portion of his autobiography he would not
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be questioned about any details, nor would he add another word, but simply said, " Write what I have spoken," and left us to remember and write the story without one bit of assistance. He would agree, however, to come on another day to my study, or any place designated by me, and listen to the reproduction (in Apache) of what had been told, and at such times would answer all questions or add information wherever he could be convinced that it was necessary.
He soon became so tired of book making that he would have abandoned the task but for the fact that he had agreed to tell the complete story. When he once gives his word, nothing will turn him from fulfilling his promise. A very striking illustration of this was furnished by him early in January, 1906. He had agreed to come to my study on a certain date, but at the appointed hour the interpreter came alone, and said that Geronimo was very sick with cold and fever. He had come to tell me that we must ap-
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point another date, as he feared the old war- rior had an attack of pneumonia. It was a cold day and the interpreter drew a chair up to the grate to warm himself after the ex- posure of the long ride. Just as he was seating himself he looked out of the window, then rose quickly, and without speaking pointed to a rapidly moving object coming our way. In a moment I recognized the old chief riding furiously (evidently trying to arrive as soon as the interpreter did), his horse flecked with foam and reeling from exhaustion. Dismounting he came in and said in a hoarse whisper, " I promised to come. I am here."
I explained to him that I had not ex- pected him to come on such a stormy day, and that in his physical condition he must not try to work. He stood for some time, and then without speaking left the room, re- mounted his tired pony, and with bowed head faced ten long miles of cold north wind — he had kept his promise.
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When he had finished his story I sub- mitted the manuscript to Major Charles W. Taylor, Eighteenth Cavalry, commandant, Fort Sill, Oklahoma, who gave me some val- uable suggestions as to additional related information which I asked Geronimo to give. In most cases the old chief gave the desired information, but in some instances he refused, stating his reasons for so doing.
When the added information had been in- corporated I submitted the manuscript to President Roosevelt, from whose letter I quote: " This is a very interesting volume which you have in manuscript, but I would advise that you disclaim responsibility in all cases where the reputation of an individual is assailed."
In accordance with that suggestion, I have appended notes throughout the book disclaiming responsibility for adverse criti- cisms of any persons mentioned by Ge- ronimo.
On JTune 2d, 1906, I transmitted the
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complete manuscript to the War Depart- ment. The following quotation is from the letter of transmission :
" In accordance with endorsement number eight of the ' Brief ' submitted to me by the commanding officer of Fort Sill, which endorsement constituted the instructions of the Department, I submit herewith manuscript of the Autobiography of Geronimo.
" The manuscript has been submitted to the Presi- dent, and at his suggestion I have disclaimed any responsibility for the criticisms (made by Geronimo) of individuals mentioned."
Six weeks after the manuscript was for- warded, Thomas C. Barry, Brigadier Gen- eral, Assistant to the Chief of Staff , sent to the President the following:
" Memorandum for the Secretary of War. " Subject: Manuscript of the Autobiography of Geronimo. The paper herewith, which was referred to this office on July 6th, with instructions to report as to whether there is anything objectionable in it, is returned.
" The manuscript is an interesting autobiography of a notable Indian, made by himself. There are a
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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 indi- cated by marginal lines in red. The entire manu- script appears in a way important as showing the Indian side of a prolonged controversy, but it is believed that the document, either in whole or in part, should not receive the approval of the War De- partment."
The memorandum is published that the objections of the War Department may be made known to the public.
The objection is raised to the mention on pages seventy-three and seventy- four of the manuscript of an attack upon Indians in a tent at Apache Pass or Bowie, by U. S. soldiers. The statement of Geronimo is, however, substantially confirmed by L. C. Hughes, editor of The, Star, Tucson, Arizona.
On pages ninety and ninety-one of the manuscript, Geronimo criticised General Crook. This criticism is simply Geronimo's private opinion of General Crook. We
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deem it a personal matter and leave it with- out comment, as it in no way concerns the history of the Apaches.
On page ninety-seven of the manuscript Geronimo accuses General Miles of bad faith. Of course, General Miles made the treaty with the Apaches, but we know very well that he is not responsible for the way the Government subsequently treated the prisoners of war. However, Geronimo can- not understand this and fixes upon General Miles the blame for what he calls unjust treatment.
One could not expect the Department of War to approve adverse criticisms of its own acts, but it is especially gratifying that such a liberal view has been taken of these criticisms, and also that such a frank state- ment of the merits of the Autobiography is submitted in the memorandum. Of course neither the President nor the War Depart- ment is in any way responsible for what Geronimo says ; he has simply been granted
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the opportunity to state his own case as he sees it.
The fact that Geronimo has told the story in his own way is doubtless the only excuse necessary to offer for the many unconven- tional features of this work.
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PART I THE APACHES
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GERONIMO
CHAPTER I
ORIGIN OF THE APACHE INDIANS
IN the beginning the world was covered with darkness. There was no sun, no day. The perpetual night had no moon or stars.
There were, however, all manner of beasts and birds. Among the beasts were many hideous, nameless monsters, as well as dragons, lions, tigers, wolves, foxes, beavers, rabbits, squirrels, rats, mice, and all manner of creeping things such as lizards and ser- pents. Mankind could not prosper under such conditions, for the beasts and serpents destroyed all human offspring.
All creatures had the power of speech and were gifted with reason.
There were two tribes of creatures: the birds or the feathered tribe and the beasts.
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GERONIMO
The former were organized under their chief, the eagle.
These tribes often held councils, and the birds wanted light admitted. This the beasts repeatedly refused to do. Finally the birds made war against the beasts.
The beasts were armed with clubs, but the eagle had taught his tribe to use bows and arrows. The serpents were so wise that they could not all be killed. One took refuge in a perpendicular cliff of a mountain in Ari- zona, and his eye (changed into a brilliant stone) may be seen in that rock to this day. The bears, when killed, would each be changed into several other bears, so that the more bears the feathered tribe killed, the more there were. The dragon could not be killed, either, for he was covered with four coats of horny scales, and the arrows would not penetrate these. One of the most hideous, vile monsters (nameless) was proof against arrows, so the eagle flew high up in the air with a round, white
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ORIGIN OF THE APACHE
stone, and let it fall on this monster's head, killing him instantly. This was such a good service that the stone was called sacred. (A symbol of this stone is used in the tribal game of Kah.1) They fought for many days, but at last the birds won the victory.
After this war was over, although some evil beasts remained, the birds were able to control the councils, and light was admitted. Then mankind could live and prosper. The eagle was chief in this good fight: therefore, his feathers were worn by man as emblems of wisdom, justice, and power.
Among the few human beings that were yet alive was a woman who had been blessed with many children, but these had always been destroyed by the beasts. If by any means she succeeded in eluding the others, the dragon, who was very wise and very evil, would come himself and eat her babes.
After many years a son of the rainstorm
i See Chapter IV. 5
GERONIMO
was born to her and she dug for him a deep cave. The entrance to this cave she closed and over the spot built a camp fire.. This concealed the babe's hiding place and kept him warm. Every day she would remove the fire and descend into the cave, where the child's bed was, to nurse him; then she would return and rebuild the camp fire.
Frequently the dragon would come and question her, but she would say, " I have no more children; you have eaten all of them."
When the child was larger he would not always stay in the cave, for he sometimes wanted to run and play. Once the dragon saw his tracks. Now this perplexed and en- raged the old dragon, for he could not find the hiding place of the boy; but he said that he would destroy the mother if she did not reveal the child's hiding place. The poor mother was very much troubled; she could not give up her child, but she knew the power and cunning of the dragon, therefore
she lived in constant fear.
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ORIGIN OF THE APACHE
Soon after this the boy said that he wished to go hunting. The mother would not give her consent. She told him of the dragon, the wolves, and the serpents; but he said, " To-morrow I go."
At the boy's request his uncle (who was the only man then living) made a little bow and some arrows for him, and the two went hunting the next day. They trailed the deer far up the mountain and finally the boy killed a buck. His uncle showed him how to dress the deer and broil the meat. They broiled two hind quarters, one for the child and one for his uncle. When the meat was done they placed it on some bushes to cool. Just then the huge form of the dragon ap- peared. The child was not afraid, but his uncle was so dumb with fright that he did not speak or move.
The dragon took the boy's parcel of meat and went aside with it. He placed the meat on another bush and seated himself beside it. Then he said, " This is the child I have
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GERONIMO
been seeking. Boy, you are nice and fat, so when I have eaten this venison I shall eat you." The boy said, " No, you shall not eat me, and you shall not eat that meat." So he walked over to where the dragon sat and took the meat back to his own seat. The dragon said, " I like your courage, but you are foolish; what do you think you could do?" "Well," said the boy, "I can do enough to protect myself, as you may find out." Then the dragon took the meat again, and then the boy retook it. Four times in all the dragon took the meat, and after the fourth time the boy replaced the meat he said, "Dragon, will you fight me?" The dragon said, " Yes, in whatever way you like." The boy said, " I will stand one hun- dred paces distant from you and you may have four shots at me with your bow and arrows, provided that you will then ex- change places with me and give me four shots." " Good," said the dragon. " Stand up.
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Dressed as ix Days of Old
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\ ORIGIN OF THE APACHE
Then the dragon took his bow, which was made of a large pine tree. He took four ar- rows from his quiver; they were made of young pine tree saplings, and each arrow was twenty feet in length. He took delib- erate aim, but just as the arrow left the bow the boy made a peculiar sound and leaped into the air. Immediately the arrow was shivered into a thousand splinters, and the boy was seen standing on the top of a bright rainbow over the spot where the dragon's aim had been directed. Soon the rainbow was gone and the boy was standing on the ground again. Four times this was repeated, then the boy said, "Dragon, stand here; it is my time to shoot." The dragon said, "All right; your little arrows cannot pierce my first coat of horn, and I have three other coats — -shoot away." The boy shot an ar- row, striking the dragon just over the heart, and one coat of the great horny scales fell to f e ground. The next shot another coat, ana then another, and the dragon's heart was
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GERONIMO
exposed. Then the dragon trembled, but could not move. Before the fourth arrow was shot the boy said, "Uncle, you are dumb with fear; you have not moved; come here or the dragon will fall on you." His uncle ran toward him. Then he sped the fourth arrow with true aim, and it pierced the dragon's heart. With a tremendous roar the dragon rolled down the mountain side — down four precipices into a canon below.
Immediately storm clouds swept the moun- tains, lightning flashed, thunder rolled, and the rain poured. When the rainstorm had passed, far down in the canon below, they could see fragments of the huge body of the dragon lying among the rocks, and the bones of this dragon may still be found there.
This boy's name was Apache. Usen2 taught him how to prepare herbs for medi-
2 Usen is the Apache word for God. It is used here be- cause it implies the attributes of deity that are held in their primitive religion. " Apache " means " Enemy."
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ORIGIN OF THE APACHE
cine, how to hunt, and how to fight. He was the first chief of the Indians and wore the eagle's feathers as the sign of justice, wis- dom, and power. To him, and to his people, as they were created, Usen gave homes in the land of the west.
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CHAPTER II
SUBDIVISIONS OF THE APACHE TRIBE
THE Apache Indians are divided into six sub-tribes. To one of these, the Be-don-ko-he, I belong.
Our tribe inhabited that region of moun- tainous country which lies west from the east line of Arizona, and south from the head- waters of the Gila River.
East of us lived the Chi-hen-ne (Ojo Caliente), (Hot Springs) Apaches. Our tribe never had any difficulty with them. Victoria, their chief, was always a friend to me. He always helped our tribe when we asked him for help. He lost his life in the defense of the rights of his people. He was a good man and a brave warrior. His son Charlie now lives here in this reservation with us.
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THE APACHE TRIBE
North of us lived the White Mountain Apaches. They were not always on the best of terms with our tribe, yet we seldom had any war -with them. I knew their chief, Hash-ka-ai-la, personally, and I considered him a good warrior. Their range was next to that of the Navajo Indians, who were not of the same blood as the Apaches. We held councils with all Apache tribes, but never with the Navajo Indians. However, we traded with them and sometimes visited them.
To the west of our country ranged the Chi-e-ajien Apaches. They had two chiefs within my time, Co-si-to and Co-da-hoo-yah. They were friendly, but not intimate with our tribe.
South of us lived the Cho-kon-en ( Chiri- cahua) Apaches, whose chief in the old days was Co-chise, and later his son, Naiche. This tribe was always on the most friendly terms with us. We were often in camp and on the trail together. Naiche, who was my
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GERONIMO
companion in arms, is now my companion in bondage.
To the south and west of us lived the Ned-ni Apaches. Their chief was Whoa, called by the Mexicans Capitan Whoa. They were our firm friends. The land of this tribe lies partly in Old Mexico and partly in Arizona.1 Whoa and I often camped and fought side by side as brothers. My enemies were his enemies, my friends his friends. He is dead now, but his son Asa is interpreting this story for me.
Still the four tribes (Bedonkohe, Cho- konen, Chihenne, and Nedni) , who were fast friends in the days of freedom, cling to- gether as they decrease in number. Only the destruction of all our people would dissolve our bonds of friendship.
i The boundary lines established at different times be- tween Mexico and the United States did not conform to the boundary lines of these Apache tribes, of course, and the Indians soon saw and took advantage of the inter- national questions arising from the conflicting interests of the two governments.
14
Naiche (Natches), son of Cohise. Hereditary chief of the
Chiricahua Apaches. Naiche was Geronimo's lieutenant
during the protracted wars in Arizona
THE APACHE TRIBE
We are vanishing from the earth, yet I cannot think we are useless or Usen would not have created us. He created all tribes of men and certainly had a righteous pur- pose in creating each.
For each tribe of men Usen created He also made a home. In the land created for any particular tribe He placed whatever would be best for the welfare of that tribe.
When Usen created the Apaches He also created their homes in the West. He gave to them such grain, fruits, and game as they needed to eat. To restore their health when disease attacked them He made many differ- ent herbs to grow. He taught them where to find these herbs, and how to prepare them for medicine. He gave them a pleasant cli- mate and all they needed for clothing and shelter was at hand.
Thus it was in the beginning: the Apaches and their homes each created for the other by Usen himself. When they are taken
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GERONIMO
from these homes they sicken and die. How long 2 will it be until it is said, there are no Apaches?
2 The Apache Indians held prisoners of war are greatly decreasing in numbers. There seems to be no particular cause, but nevertheless their numbers grow smaller.
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CHAPTER III
EARLY LIFE
1WAS born in No-doyohn Canon, Ari- zona, June, 1829. In that country which lies around the headwaters of the Gila River I was reared. This range was our fatherland; among these mountains our wigwams were hidden; the scattered valleys contained our fields; the boundless prairies, stretching away on every side, were our pastures; the rocky caverns were our burying places.
I was fourth * in a family of eight chil-
i Four is a magic number with the Bedonkohe Apaches. The dragon had four coats of scales; he took little Apache's meat four times; they (the dragon and Apache) exchanged four shots — the dragon rolled down four precipices. There are four moccasins used in the tribal game of Kah, and only four plays that can be made. A boy must accom- pany the warriors four times on the warpath before he can be admitted to the council.
Geronimo is the fourth of a family of four boys and
17
GERONIMO
dren — four boys and four girls. Of that family, only myself, my brother, Porico (White Horse), and my sister, Nah-da-ste, are yet alive. We are held as prisoners of war in this Military Reservation (Fort Sill).
As a babe I rolled on the dirt floor of my father's tepee, hung in my tsoch (Apache name for cradle) at my mother's back, or suspended from the bough of a tree. I was warmed by the sun, rocked by the winds, and sheltered by the trees as other Indian babes.
When a child my mother taught me the legends of our people ; taught me of the sun and sky* the moon and stars, the clouds and
four girls. He has hart four wives that were full-blood Bedonkohe Apaches, and four that were part Bedonkohe Apache and part other Apache blood. Four of his children have been killed by Mexicans and four have been held in bondage by the U. S. Government. He firmly believes in destiny and in the magic of the number four. Besides Geronimo, only four full-blood Bedonkohe Apaches are now living. They are Porico (White Horse), Nah-de-ste, Mah- ta-neal, and To-klon-nen.
18
,; *
HBHHB
EARLY LIFE
storms. She also taught me to kneel and pray to Usen for strength, health, wisdom, and protection. We never prayed against any person, but if we had aught against any individual we ourselves took vengeance. We were taught that Usen does not care for the petty quarrels of men.
My father had often told me of the brave deeds of our warriors, of the pleasures of the chase, and the glories of the warpath.
With my brothers and sisters I played about my father's home. Sometimes we played at hide-and-seek among the rocks and pines ; sometimes we loitered in the shade of the cottonwood trees or sought the shudock (a kind of wild cherry) while our parents worked in the field. Sometimes we played that we were warriors. We would practice stealing upon some object that represented an enemy, and in our childish imitation often perform the feats of war. Sometimes we would hide away from our mother to see if she could find us, and often when thus con-
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cealed go to sleep and perhaps remain hid- den for many hours.
When we were old enough to be of real service we went to the field with our parents : not to play, but to toil. When the crops were to be planted we broke the ground with wooden hoes. We planted the corn in straight rows, the beans among the corn, and the melons and pumpkins in irregular order over the field. We cultivated these crops as there was need.
Our field usually contained about two acres of ground. The fields were never fenced. It was common for many families to cultivate land in the same valley and share the burden of protecting the growing crops from destruction by the ponies of the tribe, or by deer and other wild animals.
Melons were gathered as they were con- sumed. In the autumn pumpkins and beans were gathered and placed in bags or baskets ; ears of corn were tied together by the husks, and then the harvest was carried on the backs
20
EARLY LIFE
of ponies up to our homes. Here the corn was shelled, and all the harvest stored away in caves or other secluded places to be used in winter.
We never fed corn to our ponies, but if we kept them up in the winter time we gave them fodder to eat. We had no cattle or other domestic animals except our dogs and ponies.
We did not cultivate tobacco, but found it growing wild. This we cut and cured in autumn, but if the supply ran out the leaves from the stalks left standing served our pur- pose. All Indians smoked2 — men and women. No boy was allowed to smoke until he had hunted alone and killed large game — wolves and bears. Unmarried women were not prohibited from smoking, but were con- sidered immodest if they did so. Nearly all matrons smoked.
2 The Apaches did not smoke the peace pipe, unless it was proposed by some other Indians. They had no large pipes; in fact, they usually smoked cigarettes made by rolling the tobacco in wrappers of oak leaves.
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GERONIMO
Besides grinding the corn (by hand with stone mortars and pestles) for bread, we sometimes crushed it and soaked it, and after it had fermented made from this juice a " tis-win," which had the power of intoxica- tion, and was very highly prized by the In- dians. This work was done by the squaws and children. When berries or nuts were to be gathered the small children and the squaws would go in parties to hunt them, and sometimes stay all day. When they went any great distance from camp they took ponies to carry the baskets.
I frequently went with these parties, and
upon one of these excursions a woman
named Cho-ko-le got lost from the party
and was riding her pony through a thicket
in search of her friends. Her little dog was
following as she slowly made her way
through the thick underbrush and pine trees.
All at once a grizzly bear rose in her path
and attacked the pony. She jumped off
and her pony escaped, but the bear at-
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EARLY LIFE
•
tacked her, so she fought him the best she could with her knife. Her little dog, by- snapping at the bear's heels and detracting his attention from the woman, enabled her for some time to keep pretty well out of his reach. Finally the grizzly struck her over the head, tearing off almost her whole scalp. She fell, but did not lose consciousness, and while prostrate struck him four good licks with her knife, and he retreated. After he had gone she replaced her torn scalp and bound it up as best she could, then she turned deathly sick and had to lie down. That night her pony came into camp with his load of nuts and berries, but no rider. The Indians hunted for her, but did not find her until the second day. They carried her home, and un- der the treatment of their medicine men all her wounds were healed.
The Indians knew what herbs to use for medicine, how to prepare them, and how to give the medicine. This they had been taught by Usen in the beginning, and each
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GERONIMO
succeeding generation had men who were skilled in the art of healing.
In gathering the herbs, in preparing them, and in administering the medicine, as much faith was held in prayer as in the actual ef- fect of the medicine. Usually about eight persons worked together in making medicine, and there were forms of prayer and incanta- tions to attend each stage of the process. Four attended to the incantations and four to the preparation of the herbs.
Some of the Indians were skilled in cut- ting out bullets, arrow heads, and other mis- siles with which warriors were wounded. I myself have done much of this, using a com- mon dirk or butcher knife.3
Small children wore very little clothing in winter and none in the summer. Women usually wore a primitive skirt, which con- sisted of a piece of cotton cloth fastened about the waist, and extending to the knees.
s The only foundation for the statement, frequently made$ that Geronimo was a medicine man.
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EARLY LIFE
Men wore breech cloths and moccasins. In winter they had shirts and leggings in addi- tion.
Frequently when the tribe was in camp a number of boys and girls, by agreement, would steal away and meet at a place several miles distant, where they could play all day free from tasks. They were never punished for these frolics; but if their hiding places were discovered they were ridiculed.
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CHAPTER IV
TRIBAL AMUSEMENTS, MANNERS, AND
CUSTOMS
TO celebrate each noted event a feast and dance would be given. Perhaps only our own people, perhaps neighboring tribes would be invited. These festivities usually lasted for about four days. By day we feasted, by night under the direction of some chief we danced. The music for our dance was singing led by the warriors, and accompanied by beating the esadadedne (buckskin-on-a-hoop) . No words were sung — only the tones. When the feasting and dancing were over we would have horse races, foot races, wrestling, jumping, and all sorts of games (gambling).
Among these games the most noted was the tribal game of Kah (foot) . It is played as follows : Four moccasins are placed about
26
TRIBAL CUSTOMS
four feet apart in holes in the ground, dug in a row on one side of the camp, and on the opposite side a similar parallel row. At night a camp fire is started between these two rows of moccasins, and the players are arranged on sides, one or any number on each side. The score is kept by a bundle of sticks, from which each side takes a stick for every point won. First one side takes the bone (a symbol of the white rock used by the eagle in slaying the nameless monster — see Chapter I), puts up blankets between the four moccasins and the fire so that the op- posing team cannot observe their move- ments, and then begin to sing the legends of creation. The side having the bone repre- sents the feathered tribe, the opposite side represents the beasts. The players repre- senting the birds do all the singing, and while singing hide the bone in one of the moccasins, then the blankets are thrown down. They continue to sing, but as soon as the blankets are thrown down the chosen
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GERONIMO
player from the opposing team, armed with a war club, comes to their side of the camp fire and with his club strikes the moccasin in which he thinks the bone is hidden. If he strikes the right moccasin, his side gets the bone, and in turn represents the birds, while the opposing team must keep quiet and guess in turn. There are only four plays; three that lose and one that wins. When all the sticks are gone from the bundle the side having the largest number of sticks is counted winner.
This game is seldom played except as a gambling game, but for that purpose it is the most popular game known to the tribe. Usually the game lasts four or five hours. It is never played in daytime.
After the games are all finished the vis- itors say, " We are satisfied," and the camp is broken up. I was always glad when the dances and feasts were announced. So were all the other young people.
Our life also had a religious side. We
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TRIBAL CUSTOMS
had no churches, no religious organizations^ no sabbath day, no holidays, and yet we wor- shiped. Sometimes the whole tribe would assemble to sing and pray; sometimes a smaller number, perhaps only two or three. The songs had a few words, but were not formal. The singer would occasionally put in such words as he wished instead of the usual tone sound. Sometimes we prayed in silence; sometimes each one prayed aloud; sometimes an aged person prayed for all of us. At other times one would rise and speak to us of our duties 1 to each other and to Usen. Our services were short.
When disease or pestilence abounded we were assembled and questioned by our lead- ers to ascertain what evil we had done, and how Usen could be satisfied. Sometimes
1 The Apaches recognized no duties to any man outside their tribe. It was no sin to kill enemies or to rob them. However, if they accepted any favor from a stranger, op allowed him to share their comforts in any way, he became (by adoption) related to the tribe and they must recognize their duty to him.
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GERONIMO
sacrifice was deemed necessary. Sometimes the offending one was punished.
If an Apache had allowed his aged par- ents to suffer for food or shelter, if he had neglected or abused the sick, if he had pro- faned our religion, or had been unfaithful, he might be banished from the tribe.
The Apaches had no prisons as white men have. Instead of sending their criminals into prison they sent them out of their tribe. These faithless, cruel, lazy, or cowardly members of the tribe were excluded in such a manner that they could not join any other tribe. Neither could they have any protec- tion from our unwritten tribal laws. Fre- quently these outlaw Indians banded to- gether and committed depredations which were charged against the regular tribe. However, the life of an outlaw Indian was a hard lot, and their bands never became very large; besides, these bands frequently provoked the wrath of the tribe and secured
their own destruction.
so
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The Conquered Weapon
TRIBAL CUSTOMS
When I was about eight or ten years old I began to follow the chase, and to me this was never work.
Out on the prairies, which ran up to our mountain homes, wandered herds of deer, antelope, elk, and buffalo, to be slaughtered when we needed them.
Usually we hunted buffalo on horseback, killing them with arrows and spears. Their skins were used to make tepees and bedding ; their flesh, to eat.
It required more skill to hunt the deer than any other animal. We never tried to approach a deer except against the wind. Frequently we would spend hours in steal- ing upon grazing deer. If they were in the open we would crawl long distances on the ground, keeping a weed or brush before us, so that our approach would not be noticed. Often we could kill several out of one herd before the others would run away. Their flesh was dried and packed in vessels, and
would keep in this condition for many
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months. The hide of the deer was soaked in water and ashes and the hair removed, and then the process of tanning continued until the buckskin was soft and pliable. Perhaps no other animal was more valuable to us than the deer.
In the forests and along the streams were many wild turkeys. These we would drive to the plains, then slowly ride up toward them until they were almost tired out. When they began to drop and hide we would ride in upon them and by swinging from the side of our horses, catch them. If one started to fly we would ride swiftly under him and kill him with a short stick, or hunt- ing club. In this way we could usually get as many wild turkeys as we could carry home on a horse.
There were many rabbits in our range, and we also hunted them on horseback. Our horses were trained to follow the rabbit at full speed, and as they approached them we would swing from one side of the horse and
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TRIBAL CUSTOMS
strike the rabbit with our hunting club. If he was too far away we would throw the stick and kill him. This was great sport when we were boys, but as warriors we seldom hunted small game.
There were many fish in the streams, but as we did not eat them, we did not try to catch or kill them. Small boys sometimes threw stones at them or shot at them for practice with their bows and arrows. Usen did not intend snakes, frogs, or fishes to be eaten. I have never eaten of them.
There were many eagles in the mountains. These we hunted for their feathers. It re- quired great skill to steal upon an eagle, for besides having sharp eyes, he is wise and never stops at any place where he does not have a good view of the surrounding country.
I have killed many bears with a spear, but was never injured in a fight with one. I have killed several mountain lions with ar- rows, and one with a spear. Both bears and
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mountain lions are good for food and valu- able for their skin. When we killed them we carried them home on our horses. We often made quivers for our arrows from the skin of the mountain lion. These were very pretty and very durable.
During my minority we had never seen a missionary or a priest. We had never seen a white man. Thus quietly lived the Be-don-ko-he Apaches.
S4
CHAPTER V
THE FAMILY
MY grandfather, Maco, had heen our chief. I never saw him, but my father often told me of the great size, strength, and sagacity of this old warrior. Their principal wars had been with the Mex- icans. They had some wars with other tribes of Indians also, but were seldom at peace for any great length of time with the Mex- ican towns.
Maco died when my father was but a young warrior, and Mangus-Colorado * be- came chief of the Bedonkohe Apaches.
l Maco was chief of the Nedni Apaches. His son (Geron- imo's father) had married a Bedonkohe Apache (Geron- imo's mother) and joined her tribe, thereby losing his right to rule by heredity. By this it will be seen Geronimo could not become chief by hereditary right, although his grandfather was a chieftain. It is also shown that Geron- lmo's father could not be chief, hence the accession of Mangus-Colorado.
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GERONIMO
When I was but a small boy my father died, after having been sick for some time. When he passed away, carefully the watchers closed his eyes, then they arrayed him in his best clothes, painted his face afresh, wrapped a rich blanket around him, saddled his favor- ite horse, bore his arms in front of him, and led his horse behind, repeating in wailing tones his deeds of valor as they carried his body to a cave in the mountain. Then they slew his horses, and we gave away all of his other property,2 as was customary in our tribe, after which his body was deposited in the cave, his arms beside him. His grave is hidden by piles of stone. Wrapped in splen- dor he lies in seclusion, and the winds in the pines sing a low requiem over the dead warrior.
After my father's death I assumed the
2 The Apaches will not keep any of the property of a deceased relative. Their unwritten tribal laws forbid it, because they think that otherwise the children or other relatives of one who had much property might be glad when their father or relatives died.
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THE FAMILY
care of my mother. She never married again, although according to the customs of our tribe she might have done so immedi- ately after his death. Usually, however, the widow who has children remains single after her husband's death for two or three years ; but the widow without children marries again immediately. After a warrior's death his widow returns to her people and may be given away or sold by her father or brothers. My mother chose to live with me, and she never desired to marry again. We lived near our old home and I supported her.
In 1846, being seventeen years of age, I was admitted to the council of the warriors. Then I was very happy, for I could go wherever I wanted and do whatever I liked. I had not been under the control of any individual, but the customs of our tribe pro- hibited me from sharing the glories of the warpath until the council admitted me. When opportunity offered, after this, I could go on the warpath with my tribe. This
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would be glorious. I hoped soon to serve my people in battle. I had long desired to fight with our warriors.
Perhaps the greatest joy to me was that now I could marry the fair Alope, daughter of No-po-so. She was a slender, delicate girl, but we had been lovers for a long time. So, as soon as the council granted me these privileges I went to see her father concern- ing our marriage. Perhaps our love was of no interest to him; perhaps he wanted to keep Alope with him, for she was a dutiful daughter; at any rate he asked many ponies for her. I made no reply, but in a few days appeared before his wigwam with the herd of ponies and took with me Alope. This was all the marriage ceremony necessary in our tribe.
Not far from my mother's tepee I had made for us a new home. The tepee was made of buffalo hides and in it were many bear robes, lion hides, and other trophies of the chase, as well as my spears, bows, and
38
I
Al'U III l'lllM I ■
Daughter of Naiche, chief of the Chiricahua Apaches
THE FAMILY
arrows. Alope had made many little deco- rations of beads 3 and drawn work on buck- skin, which she placed in our tepee. She also drew many pictures on the walls of our home. She was a good wife, but she was never strong. We followed the traditions of our fathers and were happy. Three chil- dren came to us — children that played, loi- tered, and worked as I had done.
3 Beads were obtained from the Mexicans. The Apaches also got money from the Mexicans, but deemed it of no value, and either gave it to their children to play with or threw it away.
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PART II
THE MEXICANS
CHAPTER VI
KAS-KI-YEH
Part I — The Massacre
IN the summer of 1858, being at peace with the Mexican towns as well as with all the neighboring Indian tribes, we went south into Old Mexico to trade. Our whole tribe (Bedonkohe Apaches) went through Sonora toward Casa Grande, our destina- tion, but just before reaching that place we stopped at another Mexican town called by the Indians " Kas-ki-yeh." Here we stayed for several days, camping just outside the city. Every day we would go into town to trade, leaving our camp under the protec- tion of a small guard so that our arms, sup- plies, and women and children would not be disturbed during our absence.
Late one afternoon when returning from town we were met by a few women and chil- dren who told us that Mexican troops from
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GERONIMO
some other town had attacked our camp, killed all the warriors of the guard, captured all our ponies, secured our arms, destroyed our supplies, and killed many of our women and children. Quickly we separated, con- cealing ourselves as best we could until nightfall, when we assembled at our ap- pointed place of rendezvous — a thicket by the river. Silently we stole in one by one: sentinels were placed, and, when all were counted, I found that my aged mother, my young wife, and my three small children were among the slain. There were no lights in camp, so without being noticed I silently turned away and stood by the river. How long I stood there I do not know, but when I saw the warriors arranging for a council I took my place.
That night I did not give my vote for or against any measure ; but it was decided that as there were only eighty warriors left, and as we were without arms or supplies, and were furthermore surrounded by the Mex-
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KAS-KI-YEH
icans far inside their own territory, we could not hope to fight successfully. So our chief, Mangus- Colorado, gave the order to start at once in perfect silence for our homes in Ari- zona, leaving the dead upon the field.
I stood until all had passed, hardly know- ing what I would do — I had no weapon, nor did I hardly wish to fight, neither did I con- template recovering the bodies of my loved ones, for that was forbidden. I did not pray, nor did I resolve to do anything in par- ticular, for I had no purpose left. I finally followed the tribe silently, keeping just within hearing distance of the soft noise of the feet of the retreating Apaches.
The next morning some of the Indians killed a small amount of game and we halted long enough for the tribe to cook and eat, when the march was resumed. I had killed no game, and did not eat. During the first march as well as while we were camped at this place I spoke to no one and no one spoke to me — there was nothing to say.
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GERONIMO
For two days and three nights we were on forced marches, stopping only for meals, then we made a camp near the Mexican bor- der, where we rested two days. Here I took some food and talked with the other Indians who had lost in the massacre, but none had lost as I had, for I had lost all.
Within a few days we arrived at our own settlement. There were the decorations that Alope had made — and there were the play- things of our little ones. I burned 1 them all, even our tepee. I also burned my moth- er's tepee and destroyed all her property.
I was never again contented in our quiet home. True, I could visit my father's grave, but I had vowed vengeance upon the Mex- ican troopers who had wronged me, and whenever I came near his grave or saw any- thing to remind me of former happy days my heart would ache for revenge upon Mexico.
i According to custom he should not have kept the prop- erty of his deceased relatives, but he was not compelled to destroy his own tepee or the playthings of his children.
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lPart II — Revenge
As soon as we had again collected some arms and supplies Mangus- Colorado, our chief, called a council and found that all our warriors were willing to take the warpath against Mexico. I was appointed to solicit the aid of other tribes in this war.
When I went to the Chokonen (Chiri- cahua) Apaches, Cochise, their chief, called a council at early dawn. Silently the war- riors assembled at an open place in a moun- tain dell and took their seats on the ground, arranged in rows according to their ranks. Silently they sat smoking. At a signal from the chief I arose and presented my cause as follows:
" Kinsman, you have heard what the Mex- icans have recently done without cause. You are my relatives — uncles, cousins, brothers. We are men the same as the Mex-
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GERONIMO
icans are — we can do to them what they have done to us. Let us go forward and trail them — I will lead you to their city — we will attack them in their homes. I will fight in the front of the battle — I only ask you to follow me to avenge this wrong done by these Mexicans — will you come? It is well — you will all come.
" Remember the rule in war — men may return or they may be killed. If any of these young men are killed I want no blame from their kinsmen, for they themselves have chosen to go. If I am killed no one need mourn for me. My people have all been killed in that country, and I, too, will die if need be."
I returned to my own settlement, reported this success to my chieftain, and immediately departed to the southward into the land of the Nedni Apaches. Their chief, Whoa, heard me without comment, but he im- mediately issued orders for a council, and when all were ready gave a sign that I
48
■-."
KAS-KI-YEH
might speak. I addressed them as I had addressed the Chokonen tribe, and they also promised to help us.
It was in the summer of 1859, almost a year i'rom the date of the massacre of Kas- kiyeh, that these three tribes were assembled on the Mexican border to go upon the war- path. Their faces were painted, the war bands2 fastened upon their brows, their long scalp-locks3 ready for the hand and knife of the warrior who could overcome them. Their families had been hidden away in a mountain rendezvous near the Mexican border. With these families a guard was posted, and a number of places of rendez- vous designated in case the camp should be disturbed.
When all were ready the chieftains gave
2 Strips of buckskin about two inches wide fastened around the head.
3 At this time the Mexican Government offered a reward in gold for Apache scalps — one hundred dollars for war- rior's scalp, fifty dollars for squaw's scalp, and twenty-five dollars for child's scalp.
49
GERONIMO
command to go forward. None of us were mounted and each warrior wore moccasins and also a cloth wrapped about his loins. This cloth could be spread over him when he slept, and when on the march would be ample protection as clothing. In battle, if the fight was hard, we did not wish much cloth- ing. Each warrior carried three days' ra- tions, but as we often killed game while on the march, we seldom were without food.
We traveled in three divisions : the Bedon- kohe Apaches led by Mangus-Colorado, the Chokonen Apaches by Cochise, and the Nedni Apaches by Whoa; however, there was no regular order inside the separate tribes. We usually marched about fourteen hours per day, making three stops for meals, and traveling forty to forty-five miles a day.
I acted as guide into Mexico, and we fol- lowed the river courses and mountain ranges because we could better thereby keep our movements concealed. We entered Sonora
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KAS-KI-YEH
and went southward past Quitaco, Nacozari, and many smaller settlements.
When we were almost at Arispe we camped, and eight men rode out from the city to parley with us. These we captured, killed, and scalped. This was to draw the troops from the city, and the next day they came. The skirmishing lasted all day with- out a general engagement, but just at night we captured their supply train, so we had plenty of provisions and some more guns.
That night we posted sentinels and did not move our camp, but rested quietly all night, for we expected heavy work the next day. Early the next morning the warriors were assembled to pray — not for help, but that they might have health and avoid am- bush or deceptions by the enemy.
As we had anticipated, about ten o'clock in the morning the whole Mexican force came out. There were two companies of cavalry and two of infantry. I recognized the cavalry as the soldiers who had killed my
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people at Kaskiyeh. This I told to the chieftains, and they said that I might direct the battle.
I was no chief and never had been, but because I had been more deeply wronged than others, this honor was conferred upon me, and I resolved to prove worthy of the trust. I arranged the Indians in a hollow circle near the river, and the Mexicans drew their infantry up in two lines, with the cav- alry in reserve. We were in the timber, and they advanced until within about four hun- dred yards, when they halted and opened fire. Soon I led a charge against them, at the same time sending some braves to attack their rear. In all the battle I thought of my murdered mother, wife, and babies — of my father's grave and my vow of vengeance, and I fought with fury. Many fell by my hand, and constantly I led the advance. Many braves were killed. The battle lasted about two hours.
At the last four Indians were alone in the
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KAS-KI-YEH
center of the field — myself and three other warriors. Our arrows were all gone, our spears broken off in the bodies of dead ene- mies. We had only our hands and knives with which to fight, but all who had stood against us were dead. Then two armed sol- diers came upon us from another part of the field. They shot down two of our men and we, the remaining two, fled toward our own warriors. My companion was struck down by a saber, but I reached our warriors, seized a spear, and turned. The one who pursued me missed his aim and fell by my spear. With his saber I met the trooper who had killed my companion and we grappled and fell. I killed him with my knife and quickly rose over his body, brandishing his saber, seeking for other troopers to kill. There were none. But the Apaches had seen. Over the bloody field, covered with the bodies of Mexicans, rang the fierce Apache war-whoop.
Still covered with the blood of my en-
53
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GERONIMO
emies, still holding my conquering weapon, still hot with the joy of battle, victory, and vengeance, I was surrounded by the Apache braves and made war chief of all the Apaches. Then I gave orders for scalping the slain.4
I could not call back my loved ones, I could not bring back the dead Apaches, but I could rejoice in this revenge. The Apaches had avenged the massacre of " Kas-ki-yeh."
* From the moment the command for war is given with the Apaches everything assumes a religious guise. The manner of camping, cooking, etc., are exactly prescribed. Every object appertaining to war is called by its sacred name; as if, for instance, in English, one should say not horse, but war-horse or charger; not arrow, but missile of death. The Indian is not called by his ordinary name, but by a sacred name to which is subjoined "brave" or "chief* as the case may be. Geronimo's Indian name was Go khla yeh, but the Mexicans at this battle called him Geronimo, a name he has borne ever since both among the Indians and white men.
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CHAPTER VII
FIGHTING UNDER DIFFICULTIES
ALL the other Apaches were satisfied L after the battle of " Kaskiyeh," but I still desired more revenge. For several months we were busy with the chase and other peaceful pursuits. Finally I suc- ceeded in persuading two others warriors, Ah-koch-ne and Ko-deh-ne, to go with me to invade the Mexican country.
We left our 1 families with the tribe and went on the warpath. We were on foot and carried three days' rations. We entered Mexico on the north line of Sonora and fol- lowed the Sierra de Antunez Mountains to the south end of the range. Here we de- cided to attack a small village. (I do not know the name of this village.) At day- light we approached from the mountains.
i Geronimo had married again. 55
GERONIMO
Five horses were hitched outside. We ad- vanced cautiously, but just before we reached the horses the Mexicans opened fire from the houses. My two companions were killed. Mexicans swarmed on every side; some were mounted ; some were on foot, and all seemed to be armed. Three times that day I was surrounded, but I kept fighting, dodging, and hiding. Several times during the day while in concealment I had a chance to take deliberate aim at some Mexican, who, gun in hand, was looking for me. I do not think I missed my aim either time. With the gathering darkness I found more time to retreat toward Arizona. But the Mex- icans did not quit the chase. Several times the next day mounted Mexicans tried to head me off; many times they fired on me, but I had no more arrows; so I depended upon running and hiding, although I was very tired. I had not eaten since the chase began, nor had I dared to stop for rest. The second night I got clear of my pursuers, but
56
UNDER DIFFICULTIES
I never slackened my pace until I reached our home in Arizona. I came into our camp without booty, without my companions, ex- hausted, but not discouraged.
The wives and children of my two dead companions were cared for by their people. Some of the Apaches blamed me for the evil result of the expedition, but I said nothing. Having failed, it was only proper that I should remain silent. But my feelings to- ward the Mexicans did not change — I still hated them and longed for revenge. I never ceased to plan for their punishment, but it was hard to get the other warriors to listen to my proposed raids.
In a few months after this last adventure I persuaded two other warriors to join me in raiding the Mexican frontier. On our for- mer raid we had gone through the Nedni Apaches' range into Sonora. This time we went through the country of the Cho- kon-en and entered the Sierra Madre Mountains. We traveled south, secured
57
GERONIMO
more rations, and prepared to begin our raids. We had selected a village near the mountains which we intended to attack at daylight. While asleep that night Mexican scouts discovered our camp and fired on us, killing one warrior. In the morning we ob- served a company of Mexican troops com- ing from the south. They were mounted and carried supplies for a long journey. We followed their trail until we were sure that they were headed for our range in Ari- zona; then we hurried past them and in three days reached our own settlement. We arrived at noon, and that afternoon, about three o'clock, these Mexican troops attacked our settlement. Their first volley killed three small boys. Many of the war- riors of our tribe were away from home, but the few of us who were in camp were able to drive the troops out of the mountains be- fore night. We killed eight Mexicans and lost five — two warriors and three boys. The Mexicans rode due south in full retreat.
58
UNDER DIFFICULTIES
Four warriors were detailed to follow them, and in three days these trailers returned, say- ing that the Mexican cavalry had left Ari- zona, going southward. We were quite sure they would not return soon.
Soon after this (in the summer of 1860) I was again able to take the warpath against the Mexicans, this time with twenty-five warriors. We followed the trail of the Mexican troops last mentioned and entered the Sierra de Sahuaripa Mountains. The second day in these mountains our scouts discovered mounted Mexican troops. There was only one company of cavalry in this command, and I thought that by properly surprising them we could defeat them. We ambushed the trail over which they were to come. This was at a place where the whole company must pass through a mountain de- file. We reserved fire until all of the troops had passed through; then the signal was given. The Mexican troopers, seemingly without a word of command, dismounted,
59
GERONIMO
and placing their horses on the outside of the company, for breastworks, made a good fight against us. I saw that we could not dislodge them without using all our ammuni- tion, so I led a charge. The warriors sud- denly pressed in from all sides and we fought hand to hand. During this encoun- ter I raised my spear to kill a Mexican sol- dier just as he leveled his gun at me; I was advancing rapidly, and my foot slipping in a pool of blood, I fell under the Mexican trooper. He struck me over the head with the butt of his gun, knocking me senseless. Just at that instant a warrior who followed in my footsteps killed the Mexican with a spear. In a few minutes not a Mexican soldier was left alive. When the Apache war-cry had died away, and their enemies had been scalped, they began to care for their dead and wounded. I was found lying unconscious where I had fallen. They bathed my head in cold water and restored
me to consciousness. Then they bound up
60
UNDER DIFFICULTIES
my wound and the next morning, although weak from loss of blood and suffering from a severe headache, I was able to march on the return to Arizona. I did not fully re- cover for months, and I still wear the scar given me by that musketeer. In this fight we had lost so heavily that there really was no glory in our victory, and we returned to Arizona. No one seemed to want to go on the warpath again that year.
In the summer (1861) with twelve war- riors I again went into Mexico. We entered Chihuahua and followed south on the east side of the Sierra Madre Mountains four days' journey ; then crossed over to the Sierra de Sahuaripa range, not far east of Casa Grande. Here we rested one day, and sent out scouts to reconnoiter. They reported pack trains camped five miles west of us. The next morning just at daybreak, as these drivers were starting with their mule pack train, we attacked them. They rode away for their lives, leaving us the booty. The
61
GERONIMO
mules were loaded with provisions, most of which we took home. Two mules were loaded with side-meat or bacon;2 this we threw away. We started to take these pack trains home, going northward through So- nora, but when near Casita, Mexican troops overtook us. It was at daybreak and we were just finishing our breakfast. We had no idea that we had been pursued or that our enemies were near until they opened fire. At the first volley a bullet struck me a glanc- ing lick just at the lower corner of the left eye and I fell unconscious. All the other Indians fled to cover. The Mexicans, think- ing me dead, started in pursuit of the fleeing Indians. In a few moments I regained con- sciousness and had started at full speed for the woods when another company coming up opened fire on me. Then the soldiers who had been chasing the other Indians
2 They had never eaten bacon and did not learn to do so for a long time. Even now they will not eat bacon or pork if they can get other meat. Geronimo positively re- fuses to eat bacon or pork.
62
I UNDER DIFFICULTIES
turned, and I stood between two hostile com- panies, but I did not stand long. Bullets whistled in every direction and at close range to me. One inflicted a slight flesh wound on my side, but I kept running, dodging, and fighting, until I got clear of my pur- suers. I climbed up a steep canon, where the cavalry could not follow. The troopers saw me, but did not dismount and try to follow. I think they were wise not to come on.
It had been understood that in case of sur- prise with this booty, our place of rendez- vous should be the Santa Bita Mountains in Arizona. We did not reassemble in Mexico, but traveled separately and in three days we were encamped in our place of rendezvous. From this place we returned home empty- handed. We had not even a partial victory to report. I again returned wounded, but I was not yet discouraged. Again I was blamed by our people, and again I had no reply.
After our return many of the warriors
63
GERONIMO
had gone on a hunt and some of them had gone north to trade for blankets from the Navajo Indians. I remained at home try- ing to get my wounds healed. One morning just at daybreak, when the squaws were lighting the camp fires to prepare breakfast, three companies of Mexican troops who had surrounded our settlement in the night opened fire. There was no time for fighting. Men, women, and children fled for their lives. Many women and children and a few warriors were killed, and four women were captured. My left eye was still swollen shut, but with the other I saw well enough to hit one of the officers with an arrow, and then make good my escape among the rocks. The troopers burned our tepees and took our arms, provisions, ponies, and blankets. Winter was at hand.
There were not more than twenty warriors in camp at this time, and only a few of us had secured weapons during the excitement of the attack. A few warriors followed the
64
UNDER DIFFICULTIES
trail of the troops as they went back to Mex- ico with their booty, but were unable to offer battle. It was a long, long time before we were again able to go on the warpath against the Mexicans.
The four women who were captured at this time by the Mexicans were taken into Sonora, Mexico, where they were compelled to work for the Mexicans. After some years they escaped to the mountains and started to find our tribe. They had knives which they had stolen from the Mexicans, but they had no other weapons. They had no blankets ; so at night they would make a little tepee by cutting brush with their knives, and setting them up for the walls. The top was covered over with brush. In this temporary tepee they would all sleep. One night when their camp fire was low they heard growling just outside the tepee. Francisco, the youngest woman of the party (about seventeen years of age), started to build up the fire, when a moun-
65
GERONIMO
tain lion crashed through the tepee and at- tacked her. The suddenness of the attack made her drop her knife, but she fought as best she could with her hand. She was no match for the lion, however; her left shoul- der was crushed and partly torn away. The lion kept trying to catch her by the throat; this she prevented with her hands for a long time. He dragged her for about 300 yards, then she found her strength was failing her from loss of blood, and she called to the other women for help. The lion had been dragging her by one foot, and she had been catching hold of his legs, and of the rocks and underbrush, to delay him. Finally he stopped and stood over her. She again called her companions and they attacked him with their knives and killed him. Then they dressed her wounds and nursed her in the mountains for about a month. When she was again able to walk they resumed their journey and reached our tribe in safety.
6G
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Asa Deklugie, Wife and Children
UNDER DIFFICULTIES
This woman (Francisco) was held as a prisoner of war with the other Apaches and died on the Fort Sill Reservation in 1892. Her face was always disfigured with those scars and she never regained perfect use of her hands. The three older women died be- fore we became prisoners of war.
Many women and children were carried away at different times by Mexicans. Not many of them ever returned, and those who did underwent many hardships in order to be again united with their people. Those who did not escape were slaves to the Mex- icans, or perhaps even more degraded.
When warriors were captured by the Mexicans they were kept in chains. Four warriors who were captured once at a place north of Casa Grande, called by the Indians "Honas," were kept in chains for a year and a half, when they were exchanged for Mexicans whom we had captured.
We never chained prisoners or kept them in confinement, but they seldom got away.
67
GERONIMO
Mexican men when captured were compelled to cut wood and herd horses. Mexican women and children3 were treated as our own people.
s The interpreter, Asa, son of Whoa, remembers a little captive Mexican girl who used to play with the Apache children, but was finally exchanged.
One of Geronimo's wives and her child were killed at this time, and thenceforth until he became a prisoner of war he had two wives. He might have had as many wives as he wished, but he says that he was so busy fighting Mexicans that he could not support more than two.
68
VIII
KAIDS THAT WERE SUCCESSFUL
IN the summer of 1862 I took eight men and invaded Mexican territory. We went south on the west side of the Sierra Madre Mountains for five days ; then in the night crossed over to the southern part of the Sierra de Sahuaripa range. Here we again camped to watch for pack trains. About ten o'clock next morning four driv- ers, mounted, came past our camp with a pack-mule train. As soon as they saw us they rode for their lives, leaving us the booty. This was a long train, and packed with blankets, calico, saddles, tinware, and loaf sugar. We hurried home as fast as we could with these provisions, and on our re- turn while passing through a canon in the Santa Catilina range of mountains in Ari- zona, met a white man driving a mule pack
69
f
GERONIMO
train. When we first saw him he had al- ready seen us, and was riding at full tilt up the canon. We examined his train and found that his mules were all loaded with cheese. We put them in with the other train and resumed our journey. We did not at- tempt to trail the driver and I am sure he did not try to follow us.
In two days we arrived at home. Then Mangus-Colorado, our chief, assembled the tribe. We gave a feast, divided the spoils, and danced all night. Some of the pack mules were killed and eaten.
This time after our return we kept out scouts so that we would know if Mexican troops should attempt to follow us.
On the third day our scouts came into camp and reported Mexican cavalry dismounted and approaching our settlement. All our warriors were in camp. Mangus-Colorado took command of one division and I of the other. We hoped to get possession of their horses, then surround the troops in the
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SUCCESSFUL RAIDS
mountains, and destroy the whole company. This we were unable to do, for they, too, had scouts. However, within four hours after we started we had killed ten troopers with the loss of only one man, and the Mexican cavalry was in full retreat, followed by thirty armed Apaches, who gave them no rest until they were far inside the Mexi- can country. No more troops came that winter.
For a long time we had plenty of provi- sions, plenty of blankets, and plenty of clothing. We also had plenty of cheese and sugar.
Another summer (1863) I selected three warriors and went on a raid into Mexico. We went south into Sonora, camping in the Sierra de Sahuaripa Mountains. About forty miles west of Casa Grande is a small village in the mountains, called by the In- dians " Crassanas." We camped near this place and concluded to make an attack. We had noticed that just at midday no one
71
GERONIMO
seemed to be stirring; so we planned to make our attack at the noon hour. The next day we stole into the town at noon. We had no guns, but were armed with spears and bows and arrows. When the war-whoop was given to open the attack the Mexicans fled in every direction; not one of them made any attempt to fight us.
We shot some arrows at the retreating Mexicans, but killed only one. Soon all was silent in the town and no Mexicans could be seen.
When we discovered that all the Mexicans were gone we looked through their houses and saw many curious things. These Mex- icans kept many more kinds of property than the Apaches did. Many of the things we saw in the houses we could not under- stand, but in the stores we saw much that we wanted ; so we drove in a herd of horses and mules, and packed as much provisions and supplies as we could on them. Then we formed these animals into a pack train and
72
f SUCCESSFUL RAIDS
returned safely to Arizona. The Mexicans did not even trail us.
When we arrived in camp we called the tribe together and feasted all day. We gave presents to everyone. That night the dance began, and it did not cease until noon the next day.
This was perhaps the most successful raid ever made by us into Mexican territory. I do not know the value of the booty, but it was very great, for we had supplies enough to last our whole tribe for a year or more.
In the fall of 1864 twenty warriors were V
willing to go with me on another raid into
Mexico. These were all chosen men, well
-armed and equipped for battle. As usual
we provided for the safety of our families
before starting on this raid. Our whole tribe
scattered and then reassembled at a camp
about forty miles from the former place. In
this way it would be hard for the Mexicans to
trail them and we would know where to find
our families when we returned. Moreover,
73
GERONIMO
if any hostile Indians should see this large number of warriors leaving our range they might attack our camp, but if they found no one at the usual place their raid would fail.
We went south through the Chokonen Apaches' range, entered Sonora, Mexico, at a point directly south of Tombstone, Ari- zona, and went into hiding in the Sierra de Antunez Mountains.
We attacked several settlements in the neighborhood and secured plenty of provi- sions and supplies. After about three days we attacked and captured a mule pack train at a place called by the Indians " Pontoco." It is situated in the mountains due west, about one day's journey ' from Arispe.
There were three drivers with this train. One was killed and two escaped. The train was loaded with mescal,2 which was con-
i Forty-five miles.
2 Mescal is a fiery liquor produced in Mexico from several spices of Agave.
74
SUCCESSFUL RAIDS
tained in bottles held in wicker baskets. As soon as we made camp the Indians began to get drunk and fight each other. I, too, drank enough mescal to feel the effect of it, but I was not drunk. I ordered the fight- ing stopped, but the order was disobeyed. Soon almost a general fight was in progress. I tried to place a guard out around our camp, but all were drunk and refused to serve. I expected an attack from Mexican troops at any moment, and really it was a serious matter for me, for being in command I would be held responsible for any ill luck attending the expedition. Finally the camp became comparatively still, for the In- dians were too drunk to walk or even to fight. While they were in this stupor I poured out all the mescal, then I put out all the fires and moved the pack mules to a con- siderable distance from camp. After this I returned to camp to try to do something for the wounded. I found that only two Mrere dangerously wounded. From the leg
75
GERONIMO
of one of these I cut an arrow head, and from the shoulder of another I withdrew a spear point. When all the wounds had been cared for, I myself kept guard till morning. The next day we loaded our wounded on the pack mules and started for Arizona.
The next day we captured come cattle from a herd and drove them home with us. But it was a very difficult matter to drive cattle when we were on foot. Caring for the wounded and keeping the cattle from escaping made our journey tedious. But we were not trailed, and arrived safely at home with all the booty.
We then gave a feast and dance, and di- vided the spoils. After the dance we killed all the cattle and dried the meat. We dressed the hides and then the dried meat was packed in between these hides and stored away. All that winter we had plenty of meat. These were the first cattle we ever had. As usual we killed and ate some of
the mules. We had little use for mules, and
76
SUCCESSFUL RAIDS
if we could not trade them for something of value, we killed them.
In the summer of 1865, with four war- riors, I went again into Mexico. Hereto- fore we had gone on foot; we were accus- tomed to fight on foot; besides, we could more easily conceal ourselves when dis- mounted. 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 Moun- tains to the southern limit, then crossed the country as far south as the mouth of Yaqui River. Here we saw a great lake3 extend- ing beyond the limit of sight. Then we turned north, attacked several settlements, and secured plenty of supplies. When we had come back northwest of Arispe we se- cured about sixty head of cattle, and drove them to our homes in Arizona. We did not go directly home, but camped in different
s Gulf of California.
77
GERONIMO
valleys with our cattle. We were not trailed. When we arrived at our camp the tribe was again assembled for feasting and dancing. Presents were given to everybody; then the cattle were killed and the meat dried and packed.
78
CHAPTER IX
VARYING FORTUNES
IN the fall of 1865 with nine other war- riors I went into Mexico on foot. We attacked several settlements south of Casa Grande, and collected many horses and mules. We made our way northward with these animals through the mountains. When near Arispe we made camp one evening, and thinking that we were not heing trailed, turned loose the whole herd, even those we had been riding. They were in a valley sur- rounded by steep mountains, and we were camped at the mouth of this valley so that the animals could not leave without coming through our camp. Just as we had begun to eat our supper our scouts came in and an- nounced Mexican troops coming toward our camp. We started for the horses, but troops that our scouts had not seen were on the
79
GERONIMO
cliffs above us, and opened fire. We scat- tered in all directions, and the troops re- covered all our booty. In three days we reassembled at our appointed place of ren- dezvous in the Sierra Madre Mountains in northern Sonora. Mexican troops did not follow us, and we returned to Arizona with- out any more fighting and with no booty. Again I had nothing to say, but I was anx- ious for another raid.
Early the next summer (1866) I took thirty mounted warriors and invaded Mex- ican territory. We went south through Chihuahua as far as Santa Cruz, Sonora, then crossed over the Sierra Madre Moun- tains, following the river course at the south end of the range. We kept on westward from the Sierra Madre Mountains to the Sierra de Sahuripa Mountains, and fol- lowed that range northward. We collected all the horses, mules, and cattle we wanted, and drove them northward through Sonora into Arizona. Mexicans saw us at many
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VARYING FORTUNES
times and in many places, but they did not attack us at any time, nor did any troops attempt to follow us. When we arrived at our homes we gave presents to all, and the tribe feasted and danced. During this raid we had killed about fifty Mexicans.
Next year (1867) Mangus-Colorado led eight warriors on a raid into Mexico. I went as a warrior, for I was always glad to fight the Mexicans. We rode south from near Tombstone, Arizona, into Sonora, Mexico. We attacked some cowboys, and after a fight with them, in which two of their number were killed, we drove all their cattle northward. The second day we were driving the cattle, but had no scouts out. When we were not far from Arispe, Mexican troops rode upon us. They were well armed and well mounted, and when we first saw them they were not half a mile away from us. We left the cattle and rode as hard as we could toward the mountains, but they gained on us rapidly. Soon they opened
81
GERONIMO
fire, but were so far away from us that we were unable to reach them with our arrows ; finally we reached some timber, and, leaving our ponies, fought from cover. Then the Mexicans halted, collected our ponies, and rode away across the plains toward Arispe, driving the cattle with them. We stood and watched them until they disappeared in the distance, and then took up our march for home.
We arrived home in five days with no vic- tory to report, no spoils to divide, and not even the ponies which we had ridden into Mexico. This expedition was considered disgraceful.
The warriors who had been with Mangus- Colorado on this last expedition wanted to return to Mexico. They were not satisfied, besides they felt keenly the taunts of the other warriors. Mangus-Colorado would not lead them back, so I took command and we went on foot, directly toward Arispe in Sonora, and made our camp in the Sierra de
82
VARYING FORTUNES
Sahuripa Mountains. There were only six of us, but we raided several settlements (at night), captured many horses and mules, and loaded them with provisions, saddles and blankets. Then we returned to Arizona, traveling only at night. When we arrived at our camp we sent out scouts to prevent any surprise by Mexicans, assembled the tribe, feasted, danced, and divided the spoils. Mangus-Colorado would not receive any of this booty, but we did not care. No Mex- ican troops followed us to Arizona.
About a year after this (1868) Mexican troops rounded up all the horses and mules of the tribe not far from our settlement. No raids had been made into Mexico that year, and we were not expecting any at- tacks. We were all in camp, having just returned from hunting.
About two o'clock in the afternoon two Mexican scouts were seen near our settle- ment. We killed these scouts, but the troops got under way with the herd of our horses
83
GERONIMO
and mules before we saw them. It was use- less to try to overtake them on foot, and our tribe had not a horse left. I took twenty warriors and trailed them. We found the stock at a cattle ranch in Sonora, not far from Nacozari, and attacked the cowboys who had them in charge. We killed two men and lost none. After the fight we drove off our own stock and all of theirs.
We were trailed by nine cowboys. I sent the stock on ahead and with three war- riors stayed in the rear to intercept any at- tacking parties. One night when near the Arizona line we discovered these cowboys on our trail and watched them camp for the night and picket their horses. About mid- night we stole into their camp and silently led away all their horses, leaving the cow- boys asleep. Then we rode hard and over- took our companions, who always traveled at night instead of in the daytime. We turned these horses in with the herd and fell back to again intercept anyone who might
84
VARYING FORTUNES
trail us. What these nine cowboys did next morning I do not know, and I have never heard the Mexicans say anything about it; I know they did not follow us, for we were not molested. When we arrived in camp at home there was great rejoicing in the tribe. It was considered a good trick to get the Mexicans' horses and leave them asleep in the mountains.
It was a long time before we again went into Mexico or were disturbed by the Mex- icans.
8/5
CHAPTER X
OTHER RAIDS
WHEN reading the foregoing chap- ters of Apache raids one not ac- quainted with the lawlessness of the frontier might wonder how this tendency of the Apaches was developed to such a marked degree; but one acquainted with the real conditions — the disregard for law by both Mexicans and white men along the border line of Old Mexico and Arizona in early days — can readily understand where the Apache got his education in the art of con- ducting lawless raids. In order, therefore, that those who are unacquainted with the conditions as they were in southern Arizona during the eighties, may understand the en- vironment of the Apaches, this chapter is given. The events herein narrated are taken
86
'''»', ' ' . ' , ' '
* )
> >
, •
OTHER RAIDS
by the author from many accounts given him by reliable men who lived in this section of country during the period mentioned.
Raid by White Men
In 1882 a company of six Mexican tra- ders, who were known as " smugglers " be- cause they evaded duties on goods which they brought into United States and sold in Arizona, were camped in Skeleton Canon, ten miles north of the north line of Old Mexico. They were known to carry large sums of money, but as they were always armed and ready to defend their possessions they were not often molested. However, on this occasion, just as they were rising in the morning to prepare their breakfast, five white men opened fire on them from ambush and all save one of the Mexicans were killed. This one, though wounded, finally made his escape. A few days after the killing some cowboys on a round-up camped at this place and buried the remains (what the
87
GERONIMO
coyotes had left) of these five Mexicans. Two years later, at the same place, a cow- boy found a leather bag containing seventy- two Mexican dollars, which small amount of money had been overlooked by the robbers.
The men who did this killing lived in Arizona for many years afterwards, and although it was known that they had com- mitted the depredation, no arrests followed, and no attempt was made by any of the Mexicans to recover the property of their fellow citizens.
Meancan Raid
In 1884 a cattleman and four cowboys from his ranch started to drive some fat cattle to market at Tombstone, Arizona. The route they took led partly through Old Mexico and partly through Arizona. One night they camped in a canon just south of the Mexican border. Next morning at day- light, the cowboy who had been on herd
88
OTHER RAIDS
duty the last half of the night had just come in and aroused the camp when the Mexicans opened fire on them from ambush. The cat- tleman and one of the cowboys were severely wounded at the first volley and took shelter behind the camp wagon, from which posi- tion they fired as long as their ammunition lasted. The other three were only slightly wounded and reached cover, but only one escaped with his life. He remained in hid- ing for two days before his comrades found him. He saw the Mexicans rob the bodies of the dead and lead away their saddle horses, after having cooked breakfast for themselves in the deserted camp. He was severely wounded and all his ammunition was gone, hence he could only wait.
On the second day after this raid some of the cattle strayed back to the old ranch, thereby giving notice to the cowboys that there had been foul play. They found their wounded companions lying delirious near the decaying bodies of their comrades. No
89
GERONIMO
arrests were ever made in Mexico for these murders, and no attempt was made to re- cover damage or prosecute the robbers. The two instances above narrated will serve to show the reader what kind of an example was set for the Apaches by at least a portion of the inhabitants of the two Christian na- tions with whom they came in contact.
Apache Raids
It is thought well to give in this chapter some of the depredations of the Apaches, not told by Geronimo. They are given as told by our own citizens and from the white man's point of view.
In 1884 Judge McCormick and wife, ac- companied by their young son, were driving from Silver City to Lordsburg, when they were ambushed by Apaches. The bodies of the adults were found soon afterward, but the child's body was never recovered. Years afterwards, an Apache squaw told some of the settlers in Arizona that the little boy
90
OTHER RAIDS
(about eight years old) cried so much and was so stubborn that they had to kill him, although their original intention was to spare his life.
In 1882 a man named Hunt was wounded in a row in a saloon in Tombstone, Arizona. During this row two other men had been killed, and, to avoid arrest, Hunt and his brother went into the mountains and camped about ten miles north of Willow Springs to await the healing of his wounds. A few days after they came there, Apache Indians attacked them and killed the wounded brother, but the other, by hard riding, made good his escape.
In 1883 two Eastern boys went into Ari- zona to prospect. Their real outing began at Willow Springs, where they had stayed two days with the cowboys. These cowboys had warned them against the Apaches, but the young men seemed entirely fearless, and pushed on into the mountains. On the second morning after they left the settle-
91
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 loose the night before to graze. Just about the time he found his horses, two Apache warriors rode out from cover toward him and he made a hasty retreat to camp, jump- ing off of a bluff and in so doing breaking his leg.
A consultation was then held between the two Easterners and it was decided that perhaps all the stories they had been told of the Apache raids were true, and that it was advisable to surrender. Accordingly a white handkerchief was tied to the end of a pole and raised cautiously above the top of the bluff. In about ten minutes the two Indians — one a very old warrior and the other a mere boy, evidently his son — rode into camp and dismounted. The old war- rior examined the broken limb, then without a word proceeded to take off the shirt of the uninjured youth, with strips of which he
92
OTHER RAIDS
carefully bound up the broken leg. After this the two Indians ate the prepared break- fast and remounted their ponies. Then the old warrior, indicating the direction with his thumb, said " Doctor — Lordsburg — three days," and silently rode away. The young men rode twenty-five miles to Sansimone, where the cowboys fitted them out with a wagon to continue their journey to Lords- burg, seventy-five miles further, where a physician's services could be secured.
In 1883 two prospectors, Alberts and Reese by name, were driving a team, con- sisting of a horse and a mule, through Tur- key Creek bottoms, when they were shot by the Indians. The wagon and harness were left in the road, and the mule was found dead in the road two hundred yards from that place. Evidently the Indians had not much use for him. The guns of the pros- pectors were found later, but the horse they drove was not recovered.
In none of the above-named instances
93
GERONIMO
were the bodies of the victims mutilated. However, there are many recorded instances in which the Apache Indians did mutilate the bodies of their victims, but it is claimed by Geronimo that these were outlawed In- dians, as his regular warriors were in- structed to scalp none except those killed in battle, and to torture none except to make them reveal desired information.
In 1884 two cowboys in the employment of the Sansimone Cattle Company were camped at Willow Springs, eighteen miles southwest of Skeleton Canon, and not far from Old Mexico. Just at sundown their camp was surrounded by Apaches in war paint, who said that they had been at war with the Mexicans and wished to return to the United States. There were about seventy-five Indians in the whole tribe, the squaws and children coming up later. They had with them about one hundred and fifty Mexican horses. The Indians took posses- sion of the camp and remained for about ten
94
OTHER RAIDS
days, getting their supplies of meat by kill- ing cattle of the company.
With this band of Indians was a white boy about fourteen years old, who had evi- dently been with them from infancy, for he could not speak a word of English, and did not understand much Spanish, but spoke the Apache language readily.
They would allow but one of the cow- boys to leave camp at a time, keeping the other under guard. They had sentinels with sypglasses on all the hills and peaks sur- rounding the camp.
One evening when one of the cowboys, William Berne, had been allowed to pass out of the camp, he noticed an Indian dis- mounted and, as he approached, discovered that the Indian had him under range of his rifle. He immediately dismounted, and standing on the opposite side from the red- skin, threw his own Winchester across his horse's neck, when the Indian sprang on his horse and galloped toward him at full
95
GERONIMO
speed, making signs to him not to shoot, and when he approached him, dismounted and pointing to the ground, showed Berne many fresh deer tracks. Then, as an understand- ing had been established, the cowboy re- mounted and went on his way, leaving the Apache to hunt the deer.
One day when this cowboy was about ten miles from camp, he found two splendid horses of the Indians. These horses had strayed from the herd. Thinking that they would in a way compensate for the cattle the Apaches were eating, he drove them on for about five miles into a canon where there was plenty of grass and water and left them there, intending to come back after the de- parture of the Indians and take possession of them.
On the tenth day after the arrival of this band of Indians, United States troops, ac- companied by two Indians who had been sent to make the arrangements, arrived in camp, paid for the cattle the Apaches had
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eaten, took the Indians and their stock, and moved on toward Fort Bowie. The cowboys immediately started for the canon where the two horses had been left, but had not gone far when they met two Indians driving these horses in front of them as they pushed on to overtake the tribe.
Evidently the shrewdness of the paleface had not outwitted the red man that time.
Geronimo says he was in no wise con- nected with the events herein mentioned, but refuses to state whether he knows anything about them. He holds it unmanly to tell of any depredations of red men except those for which he was responsible.
Such were the events transpiring in " Apache land " during the days when Ge- ronimo was leading his warriors to avenge the " wrongs " of his people. This chapter will serve to show that the Apache had plenty of examples of lawlessness furnished him, and also that he was a very apt scholar in this school of savage lawlessness.
97
CHAPTER XI
HEAVY FIGHTING
ABOUT 1873 we were again attacked ^ by Mexican troops in our settlement, but we defeated them. Then we decided to make raids into Mexico. We moved our whole camp, packing all our belongings on mules and horses, went into Mexico and made camp in the mountains near Nacori. In moving our camp in this way we wanted no one to spy on us, and if we passed a Mexican's home we usually killed the in- mates. However, if they offered to sur- render and made no resistance or trouble in any way, we would take them prisoners. Frequently we would change our place of rendezvous ; then we would take with us our prisoners if they were willing to go, but if they were unruly they might be killed. I
remember one Mexican in the Sierra Madre
98
HEAVY FIGHTING
Mountains who saw us moving and delayed us for some time. We took the trouble to get him, thinking the plunder of his house would pay us for the delay, but after we had killed him we found nothing in his house worth having. We ranged in these mountains for over a year, raiding the Mex- ican settlements for our supplies, but not having any general engagement with Mex- ican troops; then we returned to our homes in Arizona. After remaining in Arizona about a year we returned to Mexico, and went into hiding in the Sierra Madre Moun- tains. Our camp was near Nacori, and we had just organized bands of warriors for raiding the country, when our scouts dis- covered Mexican troops coming toward our camp to attack us.
Battle of White Hill The chief of the Nedni Apaches, Whoa, was with me and commanded one division. The warriors were all marched toward the
99
GERONIMO
troops and met them at a place about five miles from our camp. We showed our- selves to the soldiers and they quickly rode to the top of a hill and dismounted, placing their horses on the outside for breastworks. It was a round hill, very steep and rocky, and there was no timber on its sides. There were two companies of Mexican cavalry, and we had about sixty warriors. We crept up the hill behind the rocks, and they kept up a constant fire, but I had cautioned our war- riors not to expose themselves to the Mex- icans.
I knew that the troopers would waste their ammunition. Soon we had killed all their horses, but the soldiers would lie be- hind these and shoot at us. While we had killed several Mexicans, we had not yet lost a man. However, it was impossible to get very close to them in this way, and I deemed it best to lead a charge against them.
We had been fighting ever since about
one o'clock, and about the middle of the
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afternoon, seeing that we were making no further progress, I gave the sign for the advance. The war-whoop sounded and we leaped forward from every stone over the Mexicans' dead horses, fighting hand to hand. The attack was so sudden that the Mexicans, running first this way and then that, became so confused that in a few min- utes we had killed them all. Then we scalped the slain, carried away our dead, and secured all the arms we needed. That night we moved our camp eastward through the Sierra Madre Mountains into Chihuahua. No troops molested us here and after about a year we returned to Arizona.
Almost every year we would live a part^ of the time in Old Mexico. There were at this time many settlements in Arizona; game was not plentiful, and besides we liked | to go down into Old Mexico. Besides, the J lands of the Nedni Apaches, our friends and kinsmen, extended far into Mexico. Their Chief, Whoa, was as a brother to me, and
101
GERONIMO
we spent much of our time in his terri- tory.
About 1880 we were in camp in the moun- tains south of Casa Grande, when a com- pany of Mexican troops attacked us. There were twenty-four Mexican soldiers and about forty Indians. The Mexicans sur- prised us in camp and fired on us, killing two Indians the first volley. I do not know how they were able to find our camp unless they had excellent scouts and our guards were careless, but there they were shooting at us before we knew they were near. We were in the timber, and I gave the order to go forward and fight at close range. We kept behind rocks and trees until we came within ten yards of their line, then we stood up and both sides shot until all the Mexicans were killed. We lost twelve warriors in this battle.
This place was called by the Indians
" Sko-la-ta." When we had buried our dead
and secured what supplies the Mexicans had,
102
HEAVY FIGHTING
we went northeast. At a place near Nacori Mexican troops attacked us. At this place, called by the Indians " Nokode," there were about eighty warriors, Bedonkohe and Nedni Apaches. There were three com- panies of Mexican troops. They attacked us in an open field, and \ve scattered, firing as we ran. They followed us, but we dis- persed, and soon were free from their pur- suit; then we reassembled in the Sierra Madre Mountains. Here a council was held, and as Mexican troops were coming from many quarters, we disbanded.
In about four months we reassembled at ^t Casa Grande to make a treaty of peace. The chiefs of the town of Casa Grande, and all of the men of Casa Grande, made a treaty with us. We shook hands and prom- ised to be brothers. Then we began to trade, and the Mexicans gave us mescal. Soon nearly all the Indians were drunk. While they were drunk two companies of Mexican troops, from, another town, attacked us,
103
GERONIMO
killed twenty Indians, and captured many more.1 We fled in all directions.
i It is impossible to get Geronimo to understand that these troops served the general government instead of any particular town. He still thinks each town independent and each city a separate tribe. He cannot understand the relation of cities to the general government.
104
CHAPTER XII
GERONIMO's MIGHTIEST BATTLE
AFTER the treachery and massacre of L Casa Grande we did not reassemble for a long while, and when we did we re- turned to Arizona. We remained in Ari-jJ zona for some time, living in San Carlos Reservation, at a place now called Geron- imo. In 1883 we went into Mexico again. We remained in the mountain ranges of Mexico for about fourteen months, and dur- ing this time we had many skirmishes with Mexican troops. In 1884 we returned to/|» Arizona to get other Apaches to come with us into Mexico. The Mexicans were gath- ering troops in the mountains where we had been ranging, and their numbers were so much greater than ours that we could not hope to fight them successfully, and we were
105
GERONIMO
tired of being chased about from place to place.
In Arizona we had trouble with the United States soldiers (explained in next chapter) and returned to Mexico.
We had lost about fifteen warriors in Arizona, and had gained no recruits. With our reduced number we camped in the moun- tains north of Arispe. Mexican troops were seen by our scouts in several directions. The United States troops were coming down from the north. We were well armed with guns and supplied with ammunition, but we did not care to be surrounded by the troops of two governments, so we started to move our camp southward.
One night we made camp some distance from the mountains by a stream. There was not much water in the stream, but a deep channel was worn through the prairie and small trees were beginning to grow here and there along the bank of this stream.
In those days we never camped without
106
HIS MIGHTEST BATTLE
placing scouts, for we knew that we were liable to be attacked at any time. The next morning just at daybreak our scouts came in, aroused the camp, and notified us that Mex- ican troops were approaching. Within five minutes the Mexicans began firing on us. We took to the ditches made by the stream, and had the women and children busy dig- ging these deeper. I gave strict orders to waste no ammunition and keep under cover. We killed many Mexicans that day and in turn lost heavily, for the fight lasted all day. Frequently troops would charge at one point, be repulsed, then rally and charge at another point.
About noon we began to hear them speak- ing my name with curses. In the afternoon the general came on the field and the fight- ing 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 place where they as-
107
GERONIMO
sembled was not very far from the main stream, and a little ditch ran out close to where the officers stood. Cautiously I crawled out this ditch very close to where the council was being held. The general was an old warrior. The wind was blowing in my direction, so that I could hear all he said, and 1 1 understood most of it. This is about what he told them: "Officers, yonder in those ditches is the red devil Geronimo and his hated band. This must be his last day. Ride on him from both sides of the ditches ; kill men, women, and children ; take no pris- oners; dead Indians are what we want. Do not spare your own men; exterminate this band at any cost ; I will post the wounded to shoot all deserters; go back to your com- panies and advance."
Just as the command to go forward was given I took deliberate aim at the general and he fell. In an instant the ground around me was riddled with bullets, but I
i Geronimo has a fair knowledge of the Spanish language.
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was untouched. The Apaches had seen. From all along the ditches arose the fierce war-cry of my people. The columns wav- ered an instant and then swept on; they did not retreat until our fire had destroyed the front ranks.
After this their fighting was not so fierce, yet they continued to rally and readvance until dark. They also continued to speak my name with threats and curses. That night before the firing had ceased a dozen Indians had crawled out of the ditches and set fire to the long prairie grass behind the Mexican troops. During the confusion that followed we escaped to the mountains.
This was the last battle that I ever fought with Mexicans. United States troops were, trailing us continually from this time until the treaty was made with General Miles in Skeleton Canon.
During my many wars with the Mexicans I received eight wounds, as follows: shot in the right leg above the knee, and still carry
109
GERONIMO
the bullet; shot through the left forearm; wounded in the right leg below the knee with a saber ; wounded on top of the head with the butt of a musket; shot just below the outer corner of the left eye ; shot in left side ; shot in the back. I have killed many Mexicans ; I do not know how many, for frequently I did not count them. Some of them were not worth counting.
It has been a long time since then, but still I have no love for the Mexicans. With me they were always treacherous and malicious. I am old now and shall never go on the war- path again, but if I were young, and fol- lowed the warpath, it would lead into Old Mexico.
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PART III
THE WHITE MEN
CHAPTER XIII
COMING OF THE WHITE MEN
ABOUT the time of the massacre of fc "Kaskiyeh" (1858) we heard that some white men were measuring land to the south of us. In company with a number of other warriors I went to visit them. We could not understand them very well, for we had no interpreter, but we made a treaty with them by shaking hands and promising to be brothers. Then we made our camp near their camp, and they came to trade with us. We gave them buckskin, blankets, and ponies in exchange for shirts and pro- visions. We also brought them game, for which they gave us some money. We did not know the value of this money, but we kept it and later learned from the Navajo Indians that it was very valuable.
113
GERONIMO
Every day they measured land with curi- ous instruments and put down marks which we could not understand. They were good men, and we were sorry when they had gone on into the west. They were not soldiers. These were the first white men I ever saw.
About ten years later some more white men came. These were all warriors. They made their camp on the Gila River south of Hot Springs. At first they were friendly and we did not dislike them, but they were not as good as those who came first.
After about a year some trouble arose between them and the Indians, and I took the warpath as a warrior, not as a chief.1 I had not been wronged, but some of my peo- ple had been, and I fought with my tribe; for the soldiers and not the Indians were at fault.
Not long after this some of the officers of the United States troops invited our
i As a tribe they would fight under their tribal chief, Mangus-Colorado. If several tribes had been called out, the war chief, Geronimo, would have commanded.
114
THE WHITE MEN
leaders to hold a conference at Apache Pass (Fort Bowie). Just before noon the In- dians were shown into a tent and told that they would be given something to eat. When in the tent they were2 attacked by soldiers. Our chief, Mangus- Colorado, and several other warriors, by cutting through the tent, escaped; but most of the warriors were killed or captured. Among the Bedonkohe Apaches killed at this time were Sanza, Kladetahe, Niyokahe, and Gopi. After this treachery the Indians went back to the mountains and left the
2 Regarding this attack, Mr. L. C. Hughes, editor of The Star, Tucson, Arizona, to whom I was referred by General Miles, writes as follows:
*'It appears that Cochise and his tribe had been on the warpath for some time and he with a number of sub- ordinate chiefs was brought into the military camp at Bowie under the promise that a treaty of peace was to Ito held, when they were taken into a large tent where handcuffs were put upon them. Cochise, seeing this, cut his way through the tent and fled to the mountains; and in less than six hours had surrounded the camp with from three to five hundred warriors; but the soldiers refused to make fight/'
115
GERONIMO
fort entirely alone. I do not think that the agent had anything to do with planning this, for he had always treated us well. I believe it was entirely planned by the soldiers.
From3 the very first the soldiers sent out to our western country, and the officers in charge of them, did not hesitate to wrong the Indians. They never explained to the Government when an Indian was wronged, but always reported the misdeeds of the In- dians. Much that was done by mean white men was reported at Washington as the deeds of my people.
The Indians always tried to live peace- ably with the white soldiers and settlers. One day during the time that the soldiers were stationed at Apache Pass I made a treaty with the post. This was done by shak- ing hands and promising to be brothers. Cochise and Mangus- Colorado did likewise.
* This sweeping statement is more general than we are willing to concede, yet it may be more nearly true than our own accounts.
116
THE WHITE MEN
I do not know the name of the officer in command, but this was the first regiment that ever came to Apache Pass. This treaty was made about a year before we were at- tacked in a tent, as above related. In a few days after the attack at Apache Pass we or- ganized in the mountains and returned to fight the soldiers. There were two tribes — the Bedonkohe and the Chokonen Apaches, both commanded by Cochise. After a few days' skirmishing we attacked a freight train that was coming in with supplies for the Fort. We killed some of the men and cap- tured the others. These prisoners our chief offered to trade for the Indians whom the soldiers had captured at the massacre in the tent. This the officers refused, so we killed our prisoners, disbanded, and went into hid- ing in the mountains. Of those who took part in this affair I am the only one now living.
In a few days troops were sent out to search for us, but as we were disbanded, it
117
GERONIMO
was, of course, impossible for them to locate
any hostile camp. During the time they
were searching for us many of our war-
yv riors (who were thought by the soldiers to
£ be peaceable Indians) talked to the officers and men, advising them where they might find the camp they sought, and while they searched we watched them from our hiding places and laughed at their failures.
VL After this trouble all of the Indians agreed not to be friendly with the white men any more. There was no general engage- ment, but a long struggle followed. Some- times we attacked the white men — sometimes they attacked us. First a few Indians would be killed and then a few soldiers. I think the killing was about equal on each side. The number killed in these troubles did not amount to much, but this treachery on the part of the soldiers had angered the Indians and revived memories of other wrongs, so that we never again trusted the United States troops.
118
Quanah Parker Chief of Comanche Indians
CHAPTER XIV
GREATEST OF WRONGS
PERHAPS the greatest wrong ever f done to the Indians was the treat- ment received by our tribe from the United States troops about 1863. The chief of our tribe, Mangus-Colorado, went to make a treaty of peace for our people with the white settlement at Apache Tejo, New Mex- ico. It had been reported to us that the white men in this settlement were more friendly and more reliable than those in Ari- zona, that they would live up to their treaties and would not wrong the Indians.
Mangus-Colorado, with three other war- riors, went to Apache Tejo and held a coun- cil with these citizens and soldiers. They told him that if he would come with his tribe and live near them, they would issue to him, from the Government, blankets, flour, pro-
119
GERONIMO
visions, beef, and all manner of supplies. Our chief promised to return to Apache Tejo within two weeks. When he came back to our settlement he assembled the whole tribe in council. I did not believe that the people at Apache Tejo would do as they said and therefore I opposed the plan, but it was decided that with part of the tribe Mangus-Colorado should return to Apache Tejo and receive an issue of rations and sup- plies. If they were as represented, and if these white men would keep the treaty faith- fully, the remainder of the tribe would join him and we would make our permanent home at Apache Tejo. I was to remain in charge of that portion of the tribe which stayed in Arizona. We gave almost all of our arms and ammunition to the party going to Apache Tejo, so that in case there should be treachery they would be prepared for any surprise. Mangus-Colorado and about half of our people went to New Mexico,
happy that now they had found white men
120
II
GREATEST OF WRONGS
who would be kind to them, and with whom they could live in peace and plenty.
No word ever came to us from them. From other sources, however, we heard that they had been treacherously * captured and slain. In this dilemma we did not know just exactly what to do, but fearing that the troops who had captured them would attack us, we retreated into the mountains near Apache Pass.
During the weeks that followed the de- parture of our people we had been in sus- pense, and failing to provide more supplies, had exhausted all of our store of provisions. This was another reason for moving camp. On this retreat, while passing through the mountains, we discovered four men with a herd of cattle. Two of the men were in front in a buggy and two were behind on
i General Miles telegraphed from Whipple Barracks,} Arizona, Sept. 24, 1886, relative to the surrender of the Apaches. Among other things he said : " Mangus-Colorado had years ago been foully murdered after he had sur-J rendered."
121
GERONIMO
horseback. We killed all four, but did not scalp them; they were not warriors. We drove the cattle back into the mountains, made a camp, and began to kill the cattle and pack the meat.
Before we had finished this work we were surprised and attacked by United States troops, who killed in all seven Indians — one warrior, three women, and three children. The Government troops were mounted and so were we, but we were poorly armed, hav- ing given most of our weapons to the divi- sion of our tribe that had gone to Apache iTejo, so we fought mainly with spears, bows, and arrows. At first I had a spear, a bow, and a few arrows; but in a short time my spear and all my arrows were gone. Once I was surrounded, but by dodging from side to side of my horse as he ran I escaped. It was necessary during this fight for many of the warriors to leave their horses and escape on foot. But my horse was trained to come
at call, and as soon as I reached a safe place,
122
GREATEST OF WRONGS
if not too closely pursued, I would call him to me.2 During this fight we scattered in all directions and two days later reassembled at our appointed place of rendezvous, about fifty miles from the scene of this battle.
About ten days later the same United States troops attacked our new camp at sun- rise. The fight lasted all day, but our ar- rows and spears were all gone before ten o'clock, and for the remainder of the day we had only rocks and clubs with which to fight. We could do little damage with these weap- ons, and at night we moved our camp about four miles back into the mountains where it would be hard for the cavalry to follow us. The next day our scouts, who had been left behind to observe the movements of the sol- diers, returned, saying that the troops had gone back toward San Carlos Reservation.
A few days after this we were again at- tacked by another company of United
2 Geronimo often calls his horses to him in Fort Sill Reservation. He gives only one shrill note and they run to him at full speed.
123
GERONIMO
States troops. Just before this fight we had been joined by a band of Chokonen Indians under Cochise, who took command of both divisions. We were repulsed, and decided to disband.
After we had disbanded our tribe the Bedonkohe Apaches reassembled near their old camp vainly waiting for the return of Mangus-Colorado and our kinsmen. No tidings came save that they had all been treacherously slain.3 Then a council was held, and as it was believed that Mangus- Colorado was dead, I was elected Tribal Chief.
For a long time we had no trouble with anyone. It was more than a year after I had been made Tribal Chief that United States troops surprised and attacked our camp. They killed seven children, five women, and four warriors, captured all our
3 Regarding the killing of Mangus-Colorado, "L. C. Hughes of the Tucson, Ariz., Star, writes as follows: "It was early in the year '63, when General West and his troops were camped near Membras, that he sent Jack
121-
GREATEST OF WRONGS
supplies, blankets, horses, and clothing, and destroyed our tepees. We had nothing left ; winter was beginning, and it was the cold- est winter I ever knew. After the soldiers withdrew I took three warriors and trailed them. Their trail led back toward San Carlos.
Swilling, a scout, to bring in Mangus, who had been on the warpath ever since the time of the incident with Cochise at Bowie. The old chief was always for peace, and gladly accepted the proffer; when he appeared at the camp General West ordered him put into the guard-house, in which there was only a small opening in the rear and but one small window. As the old chief entered he said: 4 This is my end. I shall never again hunt over the mountains and through the valleys of my people.' He felt that he was to be assassinated. The guards were given orders to shoot him if he attempted to escape. He lay down and tried to sleep, but during the night, someone threw a large stone which struck him in the breast. He sprang up and in his delirium the guards thought he was attempting escape and several of them shot him; this was the end of Mangus.
" His head was severed from his body by a surgeon, and the brain taken out and weighed. The head meas- ured larger than that of Daniel Webster, and the brain was of corresponding weight. The skull was sent to Washington, and is now on exhibition at the Smith- sonian Institution."
125
CHAPTER XV
REMOVALS
WHILE returning from trailing the Government troops we saw two men, a Mexican and a white man, and shot them off their horses. With these two horses we returned and moved our camp. My people were suffering much and it was deemed advisable to go where we could get more provisions. Game was scarce in our range then, and since I had been Tribal Chief I had not asked for rations from the Government, nor did I care to do so, but we did not wish to starve.
We had heard that Chief Victoria of the Chihenne (Oje Caliente) Apaches was hold- ing a council with the white men near Hot Springs in New Mexico, and that he had plenty of provisions. We had always been
126
REMOVALS
on friendly terms with this tribe, and Vic- toria was especially kind to my people. With the help of the two horses we had cap- tured, to carry our sick with us, we went to Hot Springs. We easily found Victoria and his band, and they gave us supplies for the winter. We stayed with them for about a year, and during this stay we had perfect peace. We had not the least trouble with Mexicans, white men, or Indians. When we had stayed as long as we should, and had again accumulated some supplies, we de- cided to leave Victoria's band. When I told him that we were going to leave he said that we should have a feast and dance before we separated.
The festivities were held about two miles above Hot Springs, and lasted for four days. There were about four hundred In- dians at this celebration. I do not think we ever spent a more pleasant time than upon this occasion. No one ever treated our tribe more kindly than Victoria and his band. We
127
GERONIMO
are still proud to say that he and his people were our friends.
When I went to Apache Pass (Fort Bowie) I found General Howard * in com- mand, and made a treaty with him. This treaty lasted until long after General How- ard had left our country. He always kept his word with us and treated us as brothers. We never had so good a friend among the United States officers as General Howard. We could have lived forever at peace with him. If there is any pure, honest white man in the United States army, that man is Gen- eral Howard. All the Indians respect him, and even to this day frequently talk of the happy times when General Howard was in command of our Post. After he went away he placed an agent at Apache Pass who is-
i General O. O. Howard was not in command, but had been sent by President Grant, in 1872, to make peace with the Apache Indians. The general wrote me from Burling- ton, Vt., under date of June 12, 1906, that he remembered the treaty, and that he also remembered with much satisfac- tion subsequently meeting Geronimo. — Editor.
128
REMOVALS
sued to us from the Government clothing, rations, and supplies, as General Howard directed. When beef was issued to the In- dians I got twelve steers for my tribe, and Cochise got twelve steers for his tribe. Ra- tions were issued about once a month, but if we ran out we only had to ask and we were supplied. Now, as prisoners of war in this Reservation, we do not get such good rations.2
Out on the prairie away from Apache Pass a man kept a store and saloon. Some time after General Howard went away a band of outlawed Indians killed this man, and took away many of the supplies from his store. On the very next day after this some Indians at the Post were drunk on "tiswin," which they had made from corn. They fought among themselves and four of them were killed. There had been quarrels and feuds among them for some time, and
2 They do not receive full rations now, as they did then.
129
GEROXIMO
after this trouble we deemed it impossible to keep the different bands together in peace. Therefore we separated, each leader taking his own band. Some of them went to San Carlos and some to Old Mexico, but I took my tribe back to Hot Springs and rejoined Victoria's band.
ISO
XVI
IN PRISON AND ON THE WARPATH
SOON after we arrived in New Mexico two companies of scouts were sent from San Carlos. When they came to Hot Springs they sent word for me and Victoria to come to town. The messengers did not say what they wanted with us, but as they seemed friendly we thought they wanted a council, and rode in to meet the officers. As soon as we arrived in town soldiers met us, disarmed us, and took us both to headquar- ters, where we were tried by court-martial. They asked us only a few questions and then Victoria was released and I was sentenced to the guardhouse. Scouts conducted me to the guardhouse and put me in chains. When I asked them why they did this they said it was because I had left Apache Pass.
131
A
GERONIMO
I do not think that I ever belonged to those soldiers at Apache Pass, or that I should have asked them where I might go. Our bands could no longer live in peace 1 to- gether, and so we had quietly withdrawn, expecting to live with Victoria's band, where we thought we would not be molested. They also sentenced seven other Apaches to chains in the guardhouse.
I do not know why this was done, for these Indians had simply followed me from Apache Pass to Hot Springs. If it was wrong (and I do not think it was wrong) for us to go to Hot Springs, I alone was to blame. They asked the soldiers in charge why they were imprisoned and chained, but received no answer.
I was kept a prisoner for four months, during which time I was transferred to San
l Victoria, chief of the Hot Spring Apaches, met his death in opposing the forcible removal of his band to a reservation, because having previously tried and failed he felt it impossible for separate bands of Apaches to live at peace under such arrangement.
132
ON THE WARPATH
Carlos. Then I think I had another trial, although I was not present. In fact I do not know that I had another trial, but I was told that I had, and at any rate I was re- leased.
After this we had no more trouble with the soldiers, but I never felt at ease any longer at the Post. We were allowed to live above San Carlos at a place now called Geronimo. A man whom the Indians called " Nick Golee " was agent at this place. All went well here for a period of two years, but we were not satisfied.
In the summer of 1883 a rumor was cur- rent that the officers were again planning to imprison our leaders. This rumor served to revive the memory of all our past wrongs — the massacre in the tent at Apache Pass, the fate of Mangus- Colorado, and my own unjust imprisonment, which might easily have been death to me. Just at this time we were told that the officers wanted us to come up the river above Geronimo to a fort (Fort
133
GERONIMO
Tholnas) to hold a council with them. We did not believe that any good could come of this conference, or that there was any need of it; so we held a council ourselves, and fearing treachery, decided to leave the reser- vation. We thought it more manly to die on the warpath than to be killed in prison.
There were in all about 250 Indians, chiefly the Bedonkohe and Nedni Apaches, led by myself and Whoa. We went through Apache Pass and just west of there had a fight with the United States troops. In this battle we killed three soldiers and lost none.
We went on toward Old Mexico, but on the second day after this United States sol- diers overtook us about three o'clock in the afternoon and we fought until dark. The ground where we were attacked was very rough, which was to our advantage, for the troops were compelled to dismount in order to fight us. I do not know how many sol- diers we killed, but we lost only one warrior and three children. We had plenty of guns
134
ON THE WARPATH
and ammunition at this time. Many of the guns and much ammunition we had accumu- lated while living in the reservation, and the remainder we had obtained from the White Mountain Apaches when we left the reser- vation.
Troops did not follow us any longer, so we went south almost to Casa Grande and camped in the Sierra de Sahuaripa Mountains. We ranged in the mountains of Old Mexico for about a year, then re- turned to San Carlos, taking with us a herd of cattle and horses.
Soon after we arrived at San Carlos the officer in charge, General Crook, took the horses and cattle away from us. I told him that these were not white men's cattle, but belonged to us, for we had taken them from the Mexicans during our wars. I also told him that we did not intend to kill these ani- mals, but that we wished to keep them and raise stock on our range. He would not lis- ten to me, but took the stock. I went up
135
GERONIMO
near Forth Apache and General Crook or- dered officers, soldiers, and scouts to see that I was arrested; if I offered resistance they were instructed to kill me.
This information was brought to me by the Indians. When I learned of this pro- posed action I left for Old Mexico, and about four hundred Indians went with me. They were the Bedonkohe, Chokonen, and Nedni Apaches. At this time Whoa was dead, and Naiche was the only chief with me. We went south into Sonora and camped in the mountains. Troops followed us, but did not attack us until we were camped in the mountains west of Casa Grande. Here we were attacked by Government Indian scouts. One boy was killed and nearly all of our women and children were captured.2
After this battle we went south of Casa Grande and made a camp, but within a few days this camp was attacked by Mexican
2 Geronimo's whole family, excepting his eldest son, a warrior, were captured.
136
ON THE WARPATH
soldiers. We skirmished with them all day, killing a few Mexicans, but sustaining no loss ourselves. B
That night we went east into the foothills of the Sierra Madre Mountains and made another camp. Mexican troops trailed us, and after a few days attacked our camp again. This time the Mexicans had a very large army, and we avoided a general en- gagement. It is senseless to fight when you cannot hope to win.
That night we held a council of war; our scouts had reported bands of United States and Mexican troops at many points in the mountains. We estimated that about two thousand soldiers were ranging these moun- tains seeking to capture us.
General Crook had come down into Mex- ico with the United States troops. They were camped in the Sierra de Antunez Mountains. Scouts told me that General Crook wished to see me and I went to his camp. When I arrived General Crook said
137
4
GERONIMO
to me, " Why did you leave the reserva- tion? " I said: " You told me that I might live in the reservation the same as white peo- ple lived. One year I raised a crop of corn, and gathered and stored it, and the next year I put in a crop of oats, and when the crop was almost ready to harvest, you told your soldiers to put me in prison, and if I resisted to kill me. If I had been let alone I would now have been in good circumstances, but instead of that you and the Mexicans are hunting me with soldiers." He said: "I never gave any such orders; the troops at Fort Apache, who spread this report, knew that it was untrue." Then I agreed to go back with him to San Carlos.
It was hard for me to believe him at that time. Now I know that what he said was untrue,3 and I firmly believe that he did issue the orders for me to be put in prison, or to be killed in case I offered resistance.
sGeronimo's exact words, for which the Editor disclaims any responsibility.
138
CHAPTER XVII
THE FINAL STRUGGLE
WE started with all our tribe to go with General Crook back to the United States, but I feared treachery and decided to remain in Mexico. We were not under any guard at this time. The United States troops marched in front and the Indians followed, and when we became suspicious, we turned back. I do not know how far the United States army went after myself, and some warriors turned back be- fore we were missed, and I do not care.
I have suffered much from such unjust orders as those of General Crook. Such acts have caused much distress to my people. I think that General Crook's death 1 was sent
i These are the exact words of Geronimo. The Editor is not responsible for this criticism of General Crook.
139
GERONIMO
by the Almighty as a punishment for the many evil deeds he committed.
Soon General Miles was made comman- der of all the western posts, and troops trailed us continually. They were led by Captain Lawton, who had good scouts. The Mexican2 soldiers also became more active and more numerous. We had skirmishes almost every day, and so we finally decided to break up into small bands. With six men and four women I made for the range of mountains near Hot Springs, New Mex- ico. We passed many cattle ranches, but had no trouble with the cowboys. We killed cattle to eat whenever we were in need of food, but we frequently suffered greatly for water. At one time we had no water for two days and nights and our horses almost died from thirst. We ranged in the moun- tains of New Mexico for some time, then thinking that perhaps the troops had left
2 Governor Torres of Sonora had agreed to cooperate with our troops in exterminating or capturing this tribe.
140
THE FINAL STRUGGLE
Mexico, we returned. On our return through Old Mexico we attacked every Mexican found, even if for no other reason than to kill. We believed they had asked the United States troops to come down to Mexico to fight us.
South of Casa Grande, near a place called by the Indians Gosoda, there was a road leading out from the town. There was much freighting carried on by the Mex- icans over this road. Where the road ran through a mountain pass we stayed in hid- ing, and whenever Mexican freighters passed we killed them, took what supplies we wanted, and destroyed the remainder. We were reckless of our lives, because we felt that every man's hand was against us. If we returned to the reservation we would be put in prison and killed; if we stayed in ' Mexico they would continue to send soldiers \ to fight us ; so we gave no quarter to anyone and asked no favors.
After some time we left Gosoda and
141
-\
GERONIMO
soon were reunited with our tribe in the Sierra de Antunez Mountains.
Contrary to our expectations the United States soldiers had not left the mountains in Mexico, and were soon trailing us and skir- mishing with us almost every day. Four or five times they surprised our camp. One time they surprised us about nine o'clock in the morning, and captured all our horses 3 (nineteen in number) and secured our store of dried meats. We also lost three Indians in this encounter. About the middle of the afternoon of the same day we attacked them from the rear as they were passing through a prairie — killed one soldier, but lost none ourselves. In this skirmish we recovered all our horses except three that belonged to me. The three horses that we did not recover were the best riding horses we had.
Soon after this we made a treaty with the
3 Captain Lawton reports officially the same engagement (see page 151), but makes no mention of the recapture (by the Apaches) of the horses.
142
THE FINAL STRUGGLE
Mexican troops. They told us that the United States troops were the real cause of these wars, and agreed not to fight any more with us provided we would return to the United States. This we agreed to do, and resumed our march, expecting to try to make a treaty with the United States sol- diers and return to Arizona. There seemed to be no other course to pursue.
Soon after this scouts from Captain Law- ton's troops told us that he wished to make a treaty with us; but I knew that General Miles was the chief of the American troops, and I decided to treat with him.
We continued to move our camp north- ward, and the American troops also moved northward,4 keeping at no great distance from us, but not attacking us.
I sent my brother Porico (White Horse) with Mr. George Wratton on to Fort Bowie to see General Miles, and to tell him that
4 See page 154.
143
GERONIMO
we wished to return to Arizona; but before these messengers returned I met two Indian scouts — Kayitah, a Chokonen Apache, and Marteen, a Nedni Apache. They were serv- ing as scouts for Captain Lawton's troops. They told me that General Miles had come and had sent them to ask me to meet him. So I went to the camp of the United States troops to meet General Miles.
When I arrived at their camp I went di- rectly to General Miles and told him how I had been wronged, and that I wanted to re- turn to the United States with my people, as we wished to see our families, who had been captured 5 and taken away from us.
General Miles said to me : " The Presi- dent of the United States has sent me to speak to you. He has heard of your trou- ble with the white men, and says that if you will agree to a few words of treaty we need have no more trouble. Geronimo, if you will agree to a few words of treaty all will be satisfactorily arranged."
BSee page 136. 144
GOTEBO
War Chief, Kiowa Indians
THE FINAL STRUGGLE
So General Miles told me how we could be brothers to each other. We raised our hands to heaven and said that the treaty was not to be broken. We took an oath not to do any wrong to each other or to scheme against each other.
Then he talked with me for a long time and told me what he would do for me in the future if I would agree to the treaty. I did not greatly believe General Miles, but be- cause the President of the United States had sent me word I agreed to make the treaty, and to keep it. Then I asked Gen- eral Miles what the treaty would be. Gen- eral Miles said to me : 6 "I will take you under Government protection; I will build you a house; I will fence you much land; I will give you cattle, horses, mules, and farming implements. You will be fur- nished with men to work the farm, for you yourself will not have to work. In the fall I will send you blankets and clothing so that
o For terms of treaty see page 154.
145
GERONIMO
you will not suffer from cold in the winter time.
" There is plenty of timber, water, and grass in the land to which I will send you. You will live with your tribe and with your family. If you agree to this treaty you shall see your family within five days."
I said to General Miles: "All the of- ficers that have been in charge of the Indians have talked that way, and it sounds like a story to me; I hardly believe you."
He said: " This time it is the truth."
I said : " General Miles, I do not know the laws of the white man, nor of this new country where you are to send me, and I might break their laws."
He said: "While I live you will not be arrested." ^
Then I agreed to make the treaty. ( Since I have been a prisoner of war I have been arrested and placed in the guardhouse twice for drinking whisky.)
We stood between his troopers and my
146
THE FINAL STRUGGLE
warriors. We placed a large stone on the blanket before us. Our treaty was made by this stone, and it was to last until the stone should crumble to dust; so we made the treaty, and bound each other with an oath.
I do not believe that I have ever violated that treaty; but General Miles7 never ful- filled his promises.
When we had made the treaty General Miles said to me: " My brother, you have in your mind how you are going to kill men, and other thoughts of war; I want you to put that out of your mind, and change your thoughts to peace."
Then I agreed and gave up my arms. I said: " I will quit the warpath and live at peace hereafter."
Then General Miles swept a spot of ground clear with his hand, and said: " Your past deeds shall be wiped out like this and you will start a new life."
i The criticisms of General Miles in the foregoing chapter are from Geronimo, not from the Editor.
147
CHAPTER XVIII
SURRENDER OF GERONIMO
ON February 11, 1887, the Senate passed the following resolution: " Resolved, That the Secretary of War be directed to communicate to the Senate all dispatches of General Miles referring* to the surrender of Geronimo, and all instruc- tions given to and correspondence with Gen- eral Miles in reference to the same." These papers are published in the Senate Execu- tive Documents, Second Session, 49th Con- gress, 1886-7, Volume II, Nos. Ill to 125. For an exhaustive account of the conditions of Geronimo's surrender the reader is re- ferred to that document, but this chapter is given to show briefly the terms of surrender, and corroborate, at least in part, the state- ments made by Geronimo.
148
SURRENDER OF GERONIMO
Upon assuming command of the Depart- ment of Arizona, General Nelson A. Miles was directed by the War Department to use most vigorous operations for the destruc- tion or capture of the hostile Apaches.
The following extracts are from instruc- tions issued April 20th, 1886, for the in- formation and guidance of troops serving in the southern portion of Arizona and New Mexico.
"The chief object of the troops will be
to capture or destroy any band of hostile
Apache Indians found in this section of
country, and to this end the most vigorous
and persistent efforts will be required of
all officers and soldiers until the object is
accomplished."
. . . ' . •
" A sufficient number of reliable Indians will be used as auxiliaries to discover any signs of hostile Indians, and as trailers."
<<
To avoid any advantage the Indians
149
GERONIMO
*
may have by a relay of horses, where a troop or squadron commander is near the hostile Indians he will be justified in dis- mounting one-half of his command and selecting the lightest and best riders to make pursuit by the most vigorous forced marches until the strength of all the animals of his
command shall have been exhausted." • • • • •
The following telegrams show the efforts of the United States troops and the coop- eration of Mexican troops under Governor Torres :
" Headquarters Division of the Pacific,
" Presidio of San Francisco, Cal.
"July 22, 1886. "Adjutant General,
"Washington, D. C:
" The following telegram just received from General Miles:
" ' Captain Lawton reports, through Colonel Royall, commanding at Fort Huachuca, that his camp surprised Ge-
150
SURRENDER OF GERONIMO
ronimo's camp on Yongi River, about 130 miles south and east of Campas, Sonora, or nearly 300 miles south of Mexican boun- dary, capturing all the Indian property, in- cluding hundreds of pounds of dried meat and nineteen riding animals. This is the fifth time within three months in which the Indians have been surprised by the troops. While the results have not been decisive, yet it has given encouragement to the troops, and has reduced the numbers and strength of the Indians, and given them a feeling of insecurity even in the remote and almost inaccessible mountains of Old Mexico.'
" In absence of division commander. I "C. McKeever,
"Assistant Adjutant General."
151
GERONIMO
" Headquarters Division of the Pacific, " Presidio of San Francisco, Cal.
M August 19, 1886. "Adjutant General,
"Washington, D. C:
" Following received from General Miles, dated 18th:
" ' Dispatches to-day from Governor Torres, dated Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico, from Colonels Forsyth and Beaumont, commanding Huachuca and Bowie districts, confirms the following: Geronimo with forty Indians is endeavoring to make terms of peace with Mexican authorities of Fron- teraz district. One of our scouts, in return- ing to Fort Huachuca from Lawton's command, met him, Naiche, and thirteen other Indians on their way to Fronteraz ; had a long conversation with them; they said they wanted to make peace, and looked worn and hungry. Geronimo carried his right arm in a sling, bandaged. The splendid work of the troops is evidently having good effect.
152
SURRENDER OF GERONIMO
Should hostiles not surrender to the Mexican authorities, Lawton's command is south of them, and Wilder, with G and M troops, Fourth Cavalry, moved south to Fronteraz, and will be there by 20th. Lieutenant Lockett, with an effective command, will be in good position to-morrow, near Guada- lupe Canon, in Cajon Bonito Mountains. On the 11th I had a very satisfactory inter- view with Governor Torres. The Mexican officials are acting in concert with ours.'
" O. O. Howard, "Major General."
General O. O. Howard telegraphed from [Presidio, San Francisco, California, Sep- tember 24, 1886, as follows:
"... The 6th of September General Miles reports the hostile Apaches made overtures of surrender, through Lieutenant Gatewood, to Captain Lawton. They de- sired certain terms and sent two messengers to me (Miles). They were informed that
153
GERONIMO
they must surrender as prisoners of war to troops in the field. They promised to sur- render to me in person, and for eleven days Captain Lawton's command moved north, Geronimo and Naiche moving parallel and frequently camping near it. . . . At Skeleton Canon they halted, saying that they desired to see me (Miles) before sur- rendering."
After Miles's arrival he reports as fol- lows:
" Geronimo came from his mountain camp amid the rocks and said he was willing to surrender. He was told that they could surrender as prisoners of war; that it was not the way of officers of the Army to kill their enemies who laid down their arms."
". . . Naiche was wild and suspi- cious and evidently feared treachery. He knew that the once noted leader, Mangus- Colorado, had, years ago, been foully mur- dered after he had surrendered, and the last
154
SURRENDER OF GERONIMO
hereditary chief of the hostile Apaches hes- itated to place himself in the hands of the palefaces. . • ."
Continuing his report, General Howard says:
" . . . I believed at first from official reports that the surrender was uncondi- tional, except that the troops themselves would not kill the hostiles. Now, from General Miles's dispatches and from his an- nual report, forwarded on the 21st instant by mail, the conditions are plain: First, that the lives of all the Indians should be spared. Second, that they should be sent to Fort Marion, Florida, where their tribe, including their families, had already been ordered. . . ."
D. S. Stanley, Brigadier General, tele- graphs from San Antonio, Texas, October 22, 1886, as follows:
<(
Geronimo and Naiche re-
155
GERONIMO
quested an interview with me when they first ascertained that they were to leave here, and in talking to them, I told them the exact disposition that was to be made of them. They regarded the separation of themselves from their families as a violation of the terms of their treaty of surrender, by which they had been guaranteed, in the most positive manner conceivable to their minds, that they should be united with their fami- lies at Fort Marion.
" There were present at the talk they had with me Major J. P. Wright, surgeon, United States Army; Captain J. G. Bal- lance, acting Judge-advocate, United States Army; George Wratton,1 the interpreter; Naiche, and Geronimo.
" The Indians were separated from their families at this place; the women, children,
i Mr. George Wratton is now at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, acting as Superintendent of Apaches. He has been with the Apaches as interpreter and superintendent since their surrender.
156
SURRENDER OF GERONIMO
and the two scouts were placed in a separate car before they left.
" In an interview with me they stated the following incident, which they regard as an essential part of their treaty of surrender, and which took place at Skeleton Canon before they had, as a band, made up their minds to surrender, and before any of them, except perhaps Geronimo, had given up their arms, and when they were still fully able to escape and defend themselves.
"General Miles said to them: 'You go with me to Fort Bowie and at a certain time you will go to see your relatives in Florida.' After they went to Fort Bowie he reassured them that they would see their relatives in Florida in four and a half or five days.
" While at Skeleton Canon General Miles said to them: ' I have come to have a talk with you.' The conversation was inter- preted from English into Spanish and from Spanish into Apache and vice versa. The
157
GERONIMO
interpreting from English into Spanish was done by a man by the name of Nelson. The interpreting from Spanish into Apache was done by Jose Maria Yaskes. Jose Maria Montoya was also present, but he did not do any of the interpreting.
"Dr. Wood, United States Army, and Lieutenant Clay, Tenth Infantry, were present.
" General Miles drew a line on the ground and said, ' This represents the ocean,' and, putting a small rock beside the line, he said, 1 This represents the place where Chihua- hua is with his band.' He then picked up another stone and placed it a short distance from the first, and said, ' This represents you, Geronimo.' He then picked up a third stone and placed it a little distance from the others, and said, ' This represents the Indians at Camp Apache. The President wants to take you and put you with Chi- huahua.' He then picked up the stone which represented Geronimo and his band
158
SURRENDER OF GERONIMO
and put it beside the one which represented Chihuahua at Fort Marion. After doing this he picked up the stone which repre- sented the Indians at Camp Apache and placed it beside the other two stones which represented Geronimo and Chihuahau at Fort Marion, and said, * That is what the President wants to do, get all of you to- gether.'
" After their arrival at Fort Bowie Gen- eral Miles said to them, ' From now on we want to begin a new life,' and holding up one of his hands with the palm open and horizontal he marked lines across it with the finger of the other hand and said, point- ing to his open palm, ' This represents the past; it is all covered with hollows and ridges/ then, rubbing his other palm over it, he said, ' That represents the wiping out of the past, which will be considered smooth and forgotten.'
" The interpreter, Wratton, says that he was present and heard this conversation.
159
GERONIMO
The Indians say that Captain Thompson, Fourth Cavalry, was also present.
"Naiche said that Captain Thompson, who was the acting assistant adjutant gen- eral, Department of Arizona, told him at his house in Fort Bowie, ' Don't be afraid ; no harm shall come to you. You will go to your friends all right.' He also told them 1 that Fort Marion is not a very large place, and is not probably large enough for all, and that probably in six months or so you will be put in a larger place, where you can do better.' He told them the same thing when they took their departure in the cars from Fort Bowie.
" The idea that they had of the treaty of surrender given in this letter is forwarded at their desire, and, while not desiring to comment on the matter, I feel compelled to say that my knowledge of the Indian character, and the experience I have had with Indians of all kinds, and the cor- roborating circumstances and facts that
160
SURRENDER OF GERONIMO
have been brought to my notice in this par- ticular case, convince me that the foregoing statement of Naiche and Geronimo is sub- stantially correct."
Extract from the annual report (1886) of the Division of the Pacific, commanded by Major General O. O. Howard, U. S. Army.
u Headquarters Division of the Pacific, " Presidio of San Francisco, Cal. " September 17, 1886. "Adjutant General,
"U. S. Army, Washington, D. C: "General: I have the honor to submit the following report upon military opera- tions and the condition of the Division of the Pacific for the information of the Lieu- tenant General, and to make some sugges- tions for his consideration:
. « • . .
" On the 17th of May, 1885, a party of
about fifty of the Chiricahua prisoners,
161
GERONIMO
headed by Geronimo, Naiche, and other chiefs, escaped from the White Mountain Reserve, in Arizona, and entered upon a career of murder and robbery unparalleled in the history of Indian raids.
" Since then, and up to the time of my as- suming command of this division, they had been pursued by troops with varying suc- cess.
" After the assassination of Captain Craw- ford, on January 11, by the Mexicans, the hostiles asked for a ' talk,' and finally had a conference on March 25, 26, and 27, with General Crook, in the Canon of Los Em- budos, 25 miles south of San Bernardino, Mexico, on which latter date it was arranged that they should be conducted by Lieutenant Manus, with his battalion of scouts, to Fort Bowie, Ariz.
" The march commenced on the morning
^> of March 28 and proceeded until the night
of the 29th, when, becoming excited with
fears of possible punishment, Geronimo
162
Emma Tuki.oxkv
[ SURRENDER OF GERONIMO
and Naiche, with twenty men, fourteen women, and two boys, stampeded to the hills. Lieutenant Manus immediately pur- sued, but without success.
. . . ' . • ■
" Simultaneously with my taking com- mand of the division Brigadier General Crook was relieved by Brigadier General Miles, who at once set out to complete the task commenced by his predecessor.
" Geronimo and his band were committing depredations, now in the United States and now in Mexico, and, being separated into small parties, easily eluded the troops, and carried on their work of murder and out- rage.
" Early in May General Miles organized the hostile field of operations into districts, each with its command of troops, with spe- cific instructions to guard the water holes, to cover the entire ground by scouting par- ties, and give the hostiles no rest.
"An effective command, under Captain
163
GERONIMO
Lawton, Fourth Cavalry, was organized for a long pursuit.
" On May 3 Captain Lebo, Tenth Cav- alry, had a fight with Geronimo's band 12 miles southwest of Santa Cruz, in Mexico, with a loss of one soldier killed and one wounded. After this fight the Indians re- treated southward followed by three troops of cavalry.
" On May 12 a serious fight of Mexican troops with the hostiles near Planchos, Mex- ico, resulted in a partial defeat of the Mexi- cans.
" On May 15 Captain Hatfield's com- mand engaged Geronimo's band in the Corrona Mountains, suffering a loss of two killed and three wounded, and the loss of several horses and mules, the Indians losing several killed.
11 On May 16 Lieutenant Brown, Fourth Cavalry, struck the hostiles near Buena Vista, Mexico, capturing several horses, rifles, and a quantity of ammunition.
164
SURRENDER OF GERONIMO
"The usual series of outrages, with fa- tiguing chase by troops, continued until June 21, when the Mexicans engaged the hostiles about 40 miles southeast of Magda- lena, Mexico, and after a stubborn fight re- pulsed them. . . .
• • • : • •
" About the middle of August Geronimo and his band were so reduced and harassed by the tireless pursuit of the soldiers that they made offer of surrender to the Mexi- cans, but without coming to terms.
" Their locality thus being definitely known, disposition of the troops was rapidly made to act in conjunction with the Mexi- cans to intercept Geronimo and force his surrender.
" On August 25 Geronimo, when near Fronteraz, Mexico, recognizing that he was pretty well surrounded, and being out of ammunition and food, made overtures of capitulation, through Lieutenant Gate- wood, Sixth Cavalry, to Captain Lawton.
165
GERONIMO
He desired certain terms, but was informed that a surrender as prisoner of war was all that would be accepted.
" The Indians then proceeded to the vi- cinity of Captain Lawton's command, near Skeleton Canon, and sent word that they wished to see General Miles. *) " On September 3 General Miles arrived at Lawton's camp, and on September 4 Naiche, the son of Cochise, and the heredi- tary chief of the Apaches, with Geronimo surrendered all the hostiles, with the under- standing, it seems, that they should be sent out of Arizona.
" I am not informed of the exact nature of this surrender, at first deemed uncondi- tional.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obe- dient servant,
" O. O. Howard, " Major General, United States Army."
166
SURRENDER OF GERONIMO
Statement of W. T. Melton, Ana&arko,
Oklahoma.
From 1882 to 1887 I lived in southern Arizona, and was employed by the Sansi- mone Cattle Company.
In 1886 I was stationed in Skeleton Canon, about 10 miles north of the boun- dary line between Arizona and Old Mexico, with J. D. Prewitt. It was our duty to ride the lines south of our range and keep the cattle of the Company from straying into Old Mexico.
One afternoon, when returning from our ride, we discovered an Indian trail leading toward our camp. We rode hurriedly out of the hills into a broad valley so that we could better discover any attacking parties of Apaches and if assailed have at least a fighting chance for our lives. We knew the Apaches under Geronimo were on the warpath, but they were far down in Old Mexico. However, our knowledge of the
167
GERONIMO
Indians led us to expect anything at any time — to always be ready for the worst.
When we reached the valley we struck a cavalry trail also headed for our camp. This was perplexing, for neither the Indians nor the soldiers seemed to have been riding fast, and both trails led toward our camp in Skeleton Canon. This canon was a nat- ural route from Old Mexico to Arizona, and almost all bands of Indians, as well as detachments of United States troops, passed and repassed through this valley when go- ing to Old Mexico or returning therefrom, but never before had two hostile bands passed through here at the same time and traveling in the same direction, except when one fled and the other pursued. What this could mean was a mystery to us. Could it be that the troops had not seen the Indians? Were the redskins trying to head the troops off and attack them in their camp? Were the troops hunting for those Indians? Could this be Lawton's command? Could that be
168
SURRENDER OF GERONIMO
Geronimo's band? No, it was impossible. Then who were these troops and what In- dians were those?
Cautiously we rode to our camp, and nailed on the door of our cabin was this notice :
a
BE CAREFUL, GERONIMO IS NEAR BY AND
HAS NOT YET SURRENDERED.
" CAPT. LAWTON."
Then we understood.
A short distance above our cabin we found the camp of the troops and we had just finished talking with Captain Lawton, who advised us to remain in his camp rather than risk staying alone in our cabin, when up rode the chief, Geronimo. He was mounted on a blaze-faced, white-stockinged dun horse.
He came directly to Captain Lawton and through an interpreter asked who we were and what we wanted.
As soon as the explanation was given he nodded his approval and rode away.
169
GERONIMO
Prewitt and I rode away with him. We were well armed and well mounted and Ge- ronimo was well mounted, but so far as we could see unarmed. I tried to talk with the chief (in English), but could not make him understand. Prewitt wanted to shoot2 him and said he could easily kill him the first shot, but I objected and succeeded in re- straining him. While we were arguing the chief rode silently between us, evidently feel- ing perfectly secure. All this time we had been riding in the direction of our horses that were grazing in the valley about a mile distant from our corral. When we came to a place about a half mile from Lawton's camp, where a spur of the mountain ran far out into the valley, Geronimo turned aside, sa- luted, said in fairly good Spanish, " Adios, Senors/' and began to ascend a mountain
- Recently Mr. Melton told Geronimo of this conversa- tion. The wily old chief laughed shyly and said, "What if Prewitt's pistol had been knocked out of his hand? Other men have tried to shoot me and at least some of them failed. But I'm glad he didn't try it."
170
\ SURRENDER OF GERONIMO
path. Later we learned that he was going directly toward his camp far up among the rocks. We rode on, drove our horses back to the corral and remained in our cabin all night, but were not molested by the In- dians.
The next day we killed three beeves for the Indians, and they were paid for by Cap- tain Lawton. On the second day two mounted Mexican scouts came to Lawton's camp. As soon as these Mexicans came in sight the Indians seized their arms and van- ished, as it were, among the rocks.
Captain Lawton wrote an account of con- ditions and delivered it to the Mexicans, who withdrew. After they had gone and their mission had been explained to Ge- ronimo the Indians again returned to their camp and laid down their arms.
On the next day word reached camp th*\t General Miles was approaching and the In- dians again armed and disappeared among the rocks. (Many of the Apache squaws
171
GERONIMO
had field glasses3 and were stationed every day on prominent mountain peaks to keep a lookout. No one could approach their camp or Lawton's camp without being discovered by these spies.)
Soon after General Miles joined Law- ton's command Geronimo rode into camp unarmed, and dismounting approached Gen- eral Miles, shook hands with him, and then stood proudly before the officers waiting for General Miles to begin conversation with him.
The interpreter said to Geronimo, " Gen- eral Miles is your friend." Geronimo said, " I never saw him, but I have been in need of friends. Why has he not been with me? " When this answer was interpreted every- body laughed. After this there was no more formality and without delay the dis- cussion of the treaty was begun. All I remember distinctly of the treaty is that Ge-
* These field glasses were taken from soldiers and officers (Mexicans and Americans) whom the Apaches had killed.
172
1 •
» 3 » •
W. F. Mkltov At whose camp in Skeleton Canon Geronimo surrendered
I SURRENDER OF GERONIMO
ronimo and his band were not to be killed, but they were to be taken to their families.
I remember this more distinctly, because the Indians were so much pleased with this particular one of the terms of the treaty.
Geronimo, Naiche, and a few others went on ahead with General Miles, but the main band of Indians left under the escort of Lawton's troops.
The night before they left, a young squaw, daughter-in-law of Geronimo, gave birth to a child. The next morning the hus- band, Geronimo's son, carried the child, but the mother mounted her pony unaided and rode away unassisted — a prisoner of war under military escort.
On the afternoon of the day of the treaty Captain Lawton built a monument (about ten feet across and six feet high) of rough stones at the spot where the treaty was made. The next year some cowboys on a round-up camped at the place, and tore down the monument to see what was in it.
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GERONIMO
All they found was a bottle containing a piece of paper upon which was written the names of the officers who were with Lawton.
After the Indians left we found one hun- dred and fifty dollars and twenty-five cents ($150.25) in Mexican money hidden in a rat's nest4 near where the Indians had camped.
About ten o'clock on the morning after the Apaches and soldiers had gone away twenty Pimos Indians, accompanied by one white man, surrounded our camp and de- manded to know of Geronimo's where- abouts. We told them of the treaty and they followed the trail on toward Fort Bowie.
That afternoon, thinking all danger from Apaches past, my partner, Prewitt, went to ride the lines and I was left in camp alone. I was pumping water (by horse-power) at the well, when I saw three Indians round-
*This was a stick nest built on top of the ground by a species of woods rat.
174
SURRENDER OF GERONIMO
ing up our horses about half a mile away. They saw me but did not disturb me, nor did I interfere with them, but as soon as they had driven that bunch of horses north- ward over the hill out of sight I rode quickly off in another direction and drove another bunch of horses into the corral. The rest of the afternoon I stayed in camp, but saw no more Indians.
The next day we rode over the hill in the direction these Indians had gone and found that they had camped not three miles away. There were evidently several in the party and they had kept scouts concealed near the top of the hill to watch me, and to shoot me from ambush had I followed them. This we knew because we saw behind some rocks at the crest of the hill in the loose soil the imprints left by the bodies of three warriors where they had been lying down in conceal- ment.
At their camp we found the head and hoofs of my favorite horse, " Digger," a
175
GERONIMO
fine little sorrel pony, and knew that he had served them for dinner. We followed their trail far into Old Mexico, but did not over- take them. We had been accustomed to say "it was Geronimo's band," whenever any depredation was committed, but this time
we were not so positive.
• . . • •
We do not wish to express our own opin- ion, but to ask the reader whether, after having had the testimony of Apaches, sol- diers, and civilians, who knew the condi- tions of surrender, and, after having examined carefully the testimony offered, it would be possible to conclude that Geronimo made an unconditional surrender?
Before passing from this subject it would be well also to consider whether our Govern- ment has treated these prisoners in strict accordance with the terms of the treaty made in Skeleton Canon.
176
CHAPTER XIX
A PRISONER OF WAR
WHEN I had given up to the Gov- ernment they put me on the South- ern Pacific Railroad and took me to San Antonio, Texas, and held me to be tried by their laws.
In forty days they took me from there to Fort Pickens (Pensacola), Florida. Here they put me to sawing up large logs. There were several other Apache warriors with me, and all of us had to work every day. For nearly two years we were kept at hard labor in this place and we did not see our families until May, 1887. This treatment was in direct violation of our treaty made at Skele- ton Canon.
After this we were sent with our families
to Vermont, Alabama, where we stayed five
177
GERONIMO
years and worked for the Government. We had no property, and I looked in vain for General Miles to send me to that land of which he had spoken; I longed in vain for the implements, house, and stock that Gen- eral Miles had promised me.
During this time one of my warriors, Fun, killed himself and his wife. Another one shot his wife and then shot himself. He fell dead, but the woman recovered and is still living.
We were not healthy in this place, for the climate disagreed with us. So many of our people died that I consented to let one of my wives go to the Mescalero Agency in New Mexico to live. This separation is accord- ing to our custom equivalent to what the white people call divorce, and so she married again soon after she got to Mescalero. She also kept our two small children, which she had a right to do. The children, Lenna and Robbie, are still living at Mescalero, New Mexico. Lenna is married. I kept one
178
A PRISONER OF WAR
wife, but she is dead now and I have only our daughter Eva with me. Since my separation from Lenna's mother I have never had more than one wife at a time. Since the death of Eva's mother I married another woman (December, 1905) but we could not live happily and separated. She went home to her people — that is an Apache divorce.
Then,1 as now, Mr. George Wratton su- perintended the Indians. He has always had trouble with the Indians, because he has mistreated them. One day an Indian, while drunk, stabbed Mr. Wratton with a little knife. The officer in charge took the part of Mr. Wratton and the Indian was sent to prison.
When2 we first came to Fort Sill, Cap- tain Scott was in charge, and he had houses built for us by the Government. We were
i These are not the words of the Editor, but of Geronimo. 2 They were in Alabama from May, 1888, to October, 1894.
179
I
GERONIMO
also given, from the Government, cattle, hogs, turkeys and chickens. The Indians did not do much good with the hogs, because they did not understand how to care for them, and not many Indians even at the present time keep hogs. We did better with the turkeys and chickens, but with these we did not have as good luck as white men do. With the cattle we have done very well, in- deed, and we like to raise them. We have a few horses also, and have had no bad luck with them.
In the matter of selling3 our stock and grain there has been much misunderstand- ing. The Indians understood that the cat- tle were to be sold and the money given to them, but instead part of the money is given to the Indians and part of it is placed in
3 The Indians are not allowed to sell the cattle them- selves. When cattle are ready for market they are sold by the officer in charge, part of the money paid to the Indians who owned them and part of it placed in a general (Apache) fund. The supplies, farming implements, etc., for the Apaches are paid for from this fund.
180
A PRISONER OF WAR
what the officers call the "Apache Fund." We have had five different officers in charge of the Indians here and they have all ruled very much alike — not consulting the Apaches or even explaining to them. It may be that the Government ordered the officers in charge to put this cattle money into an Apache fund, for once I complained and told Lieutenant Purington4 that I in- tended to report to the Government that he ^/ had taken some of my part of the cattle^ money and put it into the Apache Fund, he said he did not care if I did tell.
Several years ago the issue of clothing ceased. This, too, may have been by the order of the Government, but the Apaches do not understand it.
If there is an Apache Fund, it should some day be turned over to the Indians, or
*The criticism of Lieutenant Purington is from Ge- ronimo. The Editor disclaims any responsibility for it, as in all cases where individuals are criticised by the old warrior.
181
6
GERONIMO
at least they should have an account of it, for it is their earnings.
When General Miles last visited Fort Sill I asked to be relieved from labor on account of my age. I also remembered what General Miles had promised me in the treaty and told him of it. He said I need not work any more except when I wished to, and since that time I have not been de- tailed to do any work. I have worked a great deal, however, since then, for, although I am old, I like to work 5 and help my peo- ple as much as I am able.
5 Geronimo helps make hay and care for the cattle, but does not receive orders from the Superintendent of the Indians.
182
PART IV
THE OLD AND THE NEW
CHAPTER XX
UNWRITTEN LAWS OF THE APACHES
Trials
WHEN an Indian has been wronged by a member of his tribe he may, if he does not wish to settle the difficulty personally, make complaint to the Chieftain. If he is unable to meet the offending parties in a personal encounter, and disdains to make complaint, anyone may in his stead inform the chief of this conduct, and then it becomes necessary to have an investigation or trial. Both the accused and the accuser are entitled to witnesses, and their witnesses are not interrupted in any way by questions, but simply say what they wish to say in regard to the matter. The witnesses are not placed under oath, because it is not believed that they will give false testimony in a mat- ter relating to their own people.
185
GERONIMO
The chief of the tribe presides during these trials, but if it is a serious offense he asks two or three leaders to sit with him. These simply determine whether or not the man is guilty. If he is not guilty the mat- ter is ended, and the complaining party has forfeited his right to take personal ven- geance, for if he wishes to take vengeance himself, he must object to the trial which would prevent it. If the accused is found guilty the injured party fixes the penalty, which is generally confirmed by the chief and his associates.
Adoption of Children
If any children are left orphans by the usage of war or otherwise, that is, if both parents are dead, the chief of the tribe may adopt them or give them away as he desires. In the case of outlawed Indians, they may, if they wish, take their children with them, but if they leave the children with the tribe, the chief decides what will be done with
186
UNWRITTEN LAWS
them, but no disgrace attaches to the chil- dren.
| " Salt Lake "
We obtained our salt from a little lake in the Gila Mountains. This is a very small lake of clear, shallow water, and in the cen- ter a small mound arises above the surface of the water. The water is too salty to drink, and the bottom of the lake is covered with a brown crust. When this crust is broken cakes of salt adhere to it. These cakes of salt may be washed clear in the water of this lake, but if washed in other water will dissolve.
When visiting this lake our people were not allowed to even kill game or attack an enemy. All creatures were free to go and come without molestation.
Preparation of a Warrior
To be admitted as a warrior a youth must have gone with the warriors of his tribe four separate times on the warpath.
187
GERONIMO
On the first trip he will be given only very inferior food. With this he must be con- tented without murmuring. On none of the four trips is he allowed to select his food as the warriors do, but must eat such food as he is permitted to have.
On each of these expeditions he acts as servant, cares for the horses, cooks the food, and does whatever duties he should do with- out being told. He knows what things are to be done, and without waiting to be told is to do them. He is not allowed to speak to any warrior except in answer to ques- tions or when told to speak.
During these four wars he is expected to learn the sacred names of everything used in war, for after the tribe enters upon the warpath no common names are used in re- ferring to anything appertaining to war in any way. War is a solemn religious matter.
If, after four expeditions, all the war- riors are satisfied that the youth has been
188
UNWRITTEN LAWS
industrious, has not spoken out of order, has been discreet in all things, has shown courage in battle, has borne all hardships uncomplainingly, and has exhibited no color of cowardice, or weakness of any kind, he may by vote of the council be admitted as a warrior; but if any warrior objects to him upon any account he will be subjected to further tests, and if he meets these cour- ageously, his name may again be proposed. When he has proven beyond question that he can bear hardships without complaint, and that he is a stranger to fear, he is ad- mitted to the council of the warriors in the lowest rank. After this there is no formal test for promotions, but by common con- sent he assumes a station on the battlefield, and if that position is maintained with honor, he is allowed to keep it, and may be asked, or may volunteer, to take a higher station, but no warrior would presume to take a higher station unless he had assurance from the leaders of the tribe that his con-
189
GERONIMO
duct in the first position was worthy of com- mendation.
From this point upward the only election by the council in formal assembly is the elec- tion of the chief.
Old men are not allowed to lead in battle, but their advice is always respected. Old age means loss of physical power and is fatal to active leadership.
Dances
All dances are considered religious cere- monies and are presided over by a chief and medicine men. They are of a social or mili- tary nature, but never without some sacred characteristic.
A Dance of Thanksgiving
Every summer we would gather the fruit
of the yucca, grind and pulverize it and
mold it into cakes; then the tribe would
be assembled to feast, to sing, and to give
praises to Usen. Prayers of Thanksgiving
were said by all. When the dance began
190
13 ^ ,
t I
• •> * e • *
Chihuahua and Family
UNWRITTEN LAWS
the leaders bore these cakes and added words of praise occasionally to the usual tone sounds of the music.
The War Dance
After a council of the warriors had de- liberated, and had prepared for the warpath, the dance would be started. In this dance there is the usual singing led by the warriors and accompanied with the beating of the " esadadene," but the dancing is more vio- lent, and yells and war whoops sometimes almost drown the music. Only warriors participated in this dance.
Scalp Dance
After a war party has returned, a modifi- cation of the war dance is held. The war- riors who have brought scalps from the battles exhibit them to the tribe, and when the dance begins these scalps, elevated on poles or spears, are carried around the camp fires while the dance is in progress. During this dance there is still some of the solem-
191
GERONIMO
nity of the war dance. There are yells and war whoops, frequently accompanied by dis- charge of firearms, but there is always more levity than would be permitted at a war dance. After the scalp dance is over the scalps are thrown away. No Apache would keep them, for they are considered defiling.
A Social Dance
In the early part of September, 1905, I announced among the Apaches that my daughter, Eva, having attained woman- hood, should now put away childish things and assume her station as a young lady. At a dance of the tribe she would make her debut, and then, or thereafter, it would be proper for a warrior to seek her hand in marriage. Accordingly, invitations were is- sued to all Apaches, and many Comanches and Kiowas, to assemble for a grand dance on the green by the south bank of Medi- cine Creek, near the village of Naiche, for- mer chief of the Chokonen Apaches, on
192
UNWRITTEN LAWS
the first night of full moon in September. The festivities were to continue for two days and nights. Nothing was omitted in the preparation that would contribute to the enjoyment of the guests or the perfec- tion of the observance of the religious rite.
To make ready for the dancing the grass on a large circular space was closely mowed.
The singing was led by Chief Naiche, and I, assisted by our medicine men, directed the dance.
First Eva advanced from among the women and danced once around the camp fire; then, accompanied by another young woman, she again advanced and both danced twice around the camp fire; then she and two other young ladies advanced and danced three times around the camp fire; the next time she and three other young ladies ad- vanced and danced four times around the camp fire; this ceremony lasted about one hour. Next the medicine men entered, stripped to the waist, their bodies painted
193
GERONIMO
fantastically, and danced the sacred dances. They were followed by clown dancers, who amused the audience greatly.
Then the members of the tribe joined hands and danced in a circle around the camp fire for a long time. All the friends of the tribe were asked to take part in this dance, and when it was ended many of the old people retired, and the " lovers' dance ' began.
The warriors stood in the middle of the circle and the ladies, two-aid-two, danced forward and designated some warrior to dance with them. The dancing was back and forth on a line from the center to the outer edge of the circle. The warrior faced the two ladies, and when they danced for- ward to the center he danced backward: then they danced backward to the outer edge and he followed facing them. This lasted two or three hours and then the music changed. Immediately the warriors assem- bled again in the center of the circle, and
194
UNWRITTEN LAWS
this time each lady selected a warrior as a partner. The manner of dancing was as be- fore, only two instead of three danced together. During this dance, which con- tinued until daylight, the warrior (if danc- ing with a maiden) could propose1 mar- riage, and if the maiden agreed, he would consult her father soon afterward and make a bargain for her.
Upon all such occasions as this, when the dance is finished, each warrior gives a pres- ent to the lady who selected him for a part- ner and danced with him. If she is satisfied with the present he says good-by, if not, the matter is referred to someone in authority (medicine man or chief), who determines the question of what is a proper gift.
For a married lady the value of the pres-
i Apache warriors do not go "courting" as our youths do. The associations in the villages afford ample op- portunity for acquaintance, and the arranging for mar- riages is considered a business transaction, but the courtesy of consulting the maiden, although not essential, is con- sidered very polite.
195
GERONIMO
sent should be two or three dollars; for a maiden the present should have a value of not less than five dollars. Often, however, the maiden receives a very valuable present.
During the " lovers' dance " the medicine men mingle with the dancers to keep out evil spirits.
Perhaps I shall never again have cause to assemble our people to dance, but these social dances in the moonlight have been a large part of our enjoyment in the past, and I think they will not soon be discontinued, at least I hope not.
196
CHAPTER XXI
AT THE WORLD'S FAIR
WHEN I was at first asked to attend the St. Louis World's Fair I did not wish to go. Later, when I was told that I would receive good attention and protection, and that the President of the United States said that it would be all right, I consented. I was kept by parties in charge of the Indian Department, who had obtained permission from the President. I stayed in this place for six months. I sold my photographs for twenty-five cents, and was allowed to keep ten cents of this for myself. I also wrote my name for ten, fif- teen, or twenty-five cents, as the case might be, and kept all of that money. I often made as much as two dollars a day, and when I returned I had plenty of money — more than I had ever owned before.
197
GERONIMO
Many people in St. Louis invited me to come to their homes, but my keeper always refused.
Every Sunday the President of the Fair sent for me to go to a wild west show. I took part in the roping contests before the audience. There were many other Indian tribes there, and strange people of whom I had never heard.
When people first came to the World's Fair they did nothing but parade up and down the streets. When they got tired of this they would visit the shows. There were many strange things in these shows. The Government sent guards with me when I went, and I was not allowed to go anywhere without them.
In one of the shows some strange men * with red caps had some peculiar swords, and they seemed to want to fight. Finally their manager told them they might fight each other. They tried to hit each other over the
i Turks. 198
AT THE WORLD'S FAIR
head with these swords, and I expected both to be wounded or perhaps killed, but neither one was harmed. They would be hard peo- ple to kill in a hand-to-hand fight.
In another show there was a strange-look- ing negro. The manager tied his hands fast, then tied him to a chair. He was se- curely tied, for I looked myself, and I did not think it was possible for him to get away. Then the manager told him to get loose.
He twisted in his chair for a moment, and then stood up ; the ropes were still tied, but he was free. I do not understand how this was done. It was certainly a miraculous power, because no man could have released himself by his own efforts.
In another place a man was on a platform speaking to the audience; they set a basket by the side of the platform and covered it with red calico ; then a woman came and got into the basket, and a man covered the basket again with the calica; then the man
199
GERONIMO
who was speaking to the audience took a long sword and ran it through the basket, each way, and then down through the cloth cover. I heard the sword cut through the woman's body, and the manager himself said she was dead; but when the cloth was lifted from the basket she stepped out, smiled, and walked off the stage. I would like to know how she was so quickly healed, and why the wounds did not kill her.
I have never considered bears very intelli- gent, except in their wild habits, but I had never before seen a white bear. In one of the shows a man had a white bear that was as intelligent as a man. He would do whatever he was told — carry a log on his shoulder, just as a man would; then, when he was told, would put it down again. He did many other things, and seemed to know exactly what his keeper said to him. I am sure that no grizzly bear could be trained to do these things.
One time the guards took me into a little
200
Mrs. Asa Deklugie Eva Geronimo
Niece of Geronimo and daughter Geronimo's youngest daughter,
of Chihuahua, a famous Apache 16 years old
chieftain
AT THE WORLD'S FAIR
house 2 that had four windows. When we were seated the little house started to move along the ground. Then the guards called my attention to some curious things they had in their pockets. Finally they told me to look out, and when I did so I was scared, for our little house had gone high up in the air, and the people down in the Fair Grounds looked no larger than ants. The men laughed at me for being scared; then they gave me a glass to look through (I often had such glasses which I took from dead officers after battles in Mexico and elsewhere), and I could see rivers, lakes and mountains. But I had never been so high in the air, and I tried to look into the sky. There were no stars, and I could not look at the sun through this glass because the brightness hurt my eyes. Finally I put the glass down, and as they were all laugh- ing at me, I too, began to laugh. Then they said, " Get out! " and when I looked we were
2 Ferris wheel. 201
GERONIMO
on the street again. After we were safe on the land I watched many of these little houses going up and coming down, but I cannot understand how they travel. They are very curious little houses.
One day we went into another show, and as soon as we were in, it changed into night. It was real night, for I could feel the damp air; soon it began to thunder, and the light- nings flashed ; it was real lightning, too, for it struck just above our heads. I dodged and wanted to run away, but I could not tell which way to go in order to get out. The guards motioned me to keep still, and so I stayed. In front of us were some strange little people who came out on the platform; then I looked up again and the clouds were all gone, and I could see the stars shining. The little people on the plat- form did not seem in earnest about anything they did; so I only laughed at them. All the people around where we sat seemed to be laughing at me.
202
AT THE WORLD'S FAIR
We went into another place and the man- ager took us into a little room that was made like a cage; then everything around us seemed to be moving; soon the air looked blue, then there were black clouds moving with the wind. Pretty soon it was clear outside ; then we saw a few thin white clouds ; then the clouds grew thicker, and it rained and hailed with thunder and lightning. Then the thunder retreated and a rainbow ap- peared in the distance ; then it became dark, the moon rose and thousands of stars came out. Soon the sun came up, and we got out of the little room. This was a good show, but it was so strange and unnatural that I was glad to be on the streets again.
We went into one place where they made glassware. I had always thought that these things were made by hand, but they are not. The man had a curious little instrument, and whenever he would blow through this into a little blaze the glass would take any shape he wanted it to. I am not sure, but I think
203
GERONTMO
that if I had this kind of an instrument I could make whatever I wished. There seems to be a charm about it. But I sup- pose it is very difficult to get these little instruments, or other people would have them. The people in this show were so anxious to buy the things the man made that they kept him so busy he could not sit down all day long. I bought many curious things in there and brought them home with me.
At the end of one of the streets some people were getting into a clumsy canoe, upon a kind of shelf, and sliding down into the water.3 They seemed to enjoy it, but it looked too fierce for me. If one of these canoes had gone out of its path the peo- ple would have been sure to get hurt or killed.
There were some little brown people 4 at the Fair that United States troops captured
« Shooting the Chute.
* Iggorrotes from the Philippines.
204
AT THE WORLD'S FAIR
recently on some islands far away from here.
They did not wear much clothing, and I think that they should not have been allowed to come to the Fair. But they themselves did not seem to know any better. They had some little brass plates, and they tried to play music with these, but I did not think it was music — it was only a rattle. How- ever, they danced to this noise and seemed to think they were giving a fine show.
I do not know how true the report was, but I heard that the President sent them to the Fair so that they could learn some man- ners, and when they went home teach their people how to dress and how to be- have.
I am glad I went to the Fair. I saw many interesting things and learned much of the white people. They are a very kind and peaceful people. During all the time I was at the Fair no one tried to harm me in any way. Had this been among the Mex-
205
+
GERONIMO
icans I am sure I should have been com- pelled to defend myself often.
I wish all my people could have attended the Fair.5
6 Geronimo was also taken to both the Omaha and the Buffalo Expositions, but during that period of his life he was sullen and took no interest in things. The St. Louis Exposition was held after he had adopted the Christian religion and had begun to try to understand our civilization.
206
CHAPTER XXII
RELIGION
IN our primitive worship only our rela- tions to Usen and the members of our tribe were considered as appertaining to our religious responsibilities. As to the future state, the teachings of our tribe were not specific, that is, we had no definite idea of our relations and surroundings in after life. We believed that there is a life after this one, but no one ever told me as to what part of man lived after death. I have seen many men die; I have seen many human bodies decayed, but I have never seen that part which is called the spirit; I do not know what it is; nor have I yet been able to un- derstand that part of the Christian religion. We held that the discharge of one's duty would make his future life more pleasant, but whether that future life was worse than
% 207
GERONIMO
this life or better, we did not know, and no one was able to tell us. We hoped that in the future life family and tribal relations would be resumed. In a way we believed this, but we did not know it.
Once when living in San Carlos Reserva- tion an Indian told me that while lying un- conscious on the battlefield he had actually been dead, and had passed into the spirit land.
First he came to a mulberry tree growing out from a cave in the ground. Before this cave a guard was stationed, but when he approached without fear the guard let him pass. He descended into the cave, and a little way back the path widened and termi- nated in a perpendicular rock many hun- dreds of feet wide and equal in height. There was not much light, but by peering directly beneath him he discovered a pile of sand reaching from the depths below to within twenty feet of the top of the rock where he stood. Holding to a bush, he
208
RELIGION
swung off from the edge of the rock and dropped onto the sand, sliding rapidly down its steep side into the darkness. He landed in a narrow passage running due westward through a canon which gradually grew lighter and lighter until he could see as well as if it had been daylight ; but there was no sun. Finally he came to a section of this passage that was wider for a short distance, and then closing abruptly continued in a narrow path; just where this section nar- rowed two huge serpents were coiled, and rearing their heads, hissed at him as he ap- proached, but he showed no fear, and as soon as he came close to them they withdrew quietly and let him pass. At the next place, where the passage opened into a wider sec- tion, were two grizzly bears prepared to at- tack him, but when he approached and spoke to them they stood aside and he passed un- harmed. He continued to follow the nar- row passage, and the third time it widened and two mountain lions crouched in the way,
209
GERONIMO
but when he had approached them without fear and had spoken to them they also with- drew. He again entered the narrow pas- sage. For some time he followed this, emerging into a fourth section beyond which he could see nothing: the further walls of this section were clashing together at regular intervals with tremendous sounds, but when he approached them they stood apart until he had passed. After this he seemed to be in a forest, and following the natural draws, which led westward, soon came into a green valley where there were many Indians camped and plenty of game. He said that he saw and recognized many whom he had known in this life, and that he was sorry when he was brought back to consciousness.
I told him if I knew this to be true I would not want to live another day, but by some means, if by my own hands, I would die in order to enjoy these pleasures. I my- self have lain unconscious on the battlefield,
210
i ■>■> t J
, •> »»
Ready for Chukch
RELIGION
and while in that condition have had some strange thoughts or experiences; but they are very dim and I cannot recall them well enough to relate them. Many Indians be- lieved this warrior, and I cannot say that he did not tell the truth. I wish I knew that what he said is beyond question true. But perhaps it is as well that we are not certain.
Since my life as a prisoner has begun I have heard the teachings of the white man's religion, and in many respects believe it to be better than the religion of my fathers. However, I have always prayed, and I be- lieve that the Almighty has always pro- tected me.
Believing that in a wise way it is good to go to church, and that associating with Christians would improve my character, I have adopted the Christian religion.1 I be-
i Geronimo joined the Dutch Reformed church and was -$ baptized in the summer of 1903. He attends the serv- ices regularly at the Apache Mission, Ft. Sill Military- Reservation.
211
GERONIMO
lieve that the church has helped me much
during the short time I have been a member.
•" I am not ashamed to be a Christian, and I
am glad to know that the President of the
United States is a Christian, for without the
help of the Almighty I do not think he could
rightly judge in ruling so many people. I
r have advised all of my people who are not
\ Christians, to study that religion, because it
\ seems to me the best religion in enabling one
jto live right.
212
CHAPTER XXIII
HOPES FOR THE FUTURE
1AM thankful that the President of the United States has given me permission to tell my story. I hope that he and those
in authority under him will read my story and judge whether my people have been rightly treated.
There is a great question between the Apaches and the Government. For twenty years we have been held prisoners of war under a treaty which was made with General Miles, on the part of the United States Gov- ernment, and myself as the representative of the Apaches. That treaty has not at all times been properly observed by the Gov- ernment, although at the present time it is being more nearly fulfilled on their part than heretofore. In the treaty with General Miles we agreed to go to a place outside of
21$
GERONIMO
Arizona and learn to live as the white people do. I think that my people are now capable of living in accordance with the laws of the United States, and we would, of course, like to have the liberty to return to that land which is ours by divine right. We are reduced in numbers, and having learned how to culti- vate the soil would not require so much ground as was formerly necessary. We do not ask all of the land which the Almighty gave us in the beginning, but that we may have sufficient lands there to cultivate. What we do not need we are glad for the I white men to cultivate.
We are now held on Comanche and Kiowa lands, which are not suited to our needs — these lands and this climate are suited to the Indians who originally in- habited this country, of course, but our people are decreasing in numbers here, and will continue to decrease unless they are allowed to return to their native land. Such a result is inevitable.
2!4
HOPES FOR THE FUTURE
There is no climate or soil which, to my mind, is equal to that of Arizona. We could have plenty of good cultivating land, plenty of grass, plenty of timber and plenty of minerals in that land which the Almighty created for the Apaches. It is my land, my home, my fathers' land, to which I now ask to be allowed to return. I want to spend my last days there, and be buried among those mountains. If this could be I might die in peace, feeling that my people, placed in their native homes, would increase in num- bers, rather than diminish as at present, and that our name would not become extinct.
I know that if my people were placed in that mountainous region lying around the headwaters of the Gila River they would live in peace and act according to the will of the President. They would be prosper- ous and happy in tilling the soil and learn- ing the civilization of the white men, whom they now respect. Could I but see this ac- complished, I think I could forget all the
215
A
GERONIMO
wrongs that I have ever received, and die a contented and happy old man. But we can do nothing in this matter ourselves — we must wait until those in authority choose to act. If this cannot be done during my life- time— if I must die in bondage — I hope that the remnant of the Apache tribe may, when £ I am gone, be granted the one privilege which they request — to return to Arizona.
'.
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