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Geronimo’s Story of His Life · Geronimo’s Story of His Life

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Geronimo's Story of his Life by Geronimo, transcribed by S. M. Barrett
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and translated by Asa dec Lugi. Dedicatory by Geronimo because he has given me
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permission to tell my story, because he has read that story and knows I
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try to speak the truth. Because I believe that he is fair minded and
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will cause my people to receive justice in the future, and because he is
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chief of a great people. I dedicate this story of my life to Theodore
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Roosevelt, President of the United States. Geronimo Preface by S. M.
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Barrett. The initial idea of the compilation of this work was to give the
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reading public an authentic record of the private life of the Apache Indians, and
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to extend to Geronimo, as a prisoner of war, the courtesy due any
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captive, that is, the right to state the causes which impelled him in
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his opposition to our civilization and laws. If the Indian's cause has been properly
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presented, the captive's defense clearly stated, and the general store of information regarding
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vanishing types increased, I shall be satisfied. I desire to acknowledge valuable suggestions
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from Major Charles Taylor Fort Sill Oklahoma, doctor J. M. Greenwood,
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Kansas City, Missouri, and President David R. Boyd of the University of
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Oklahoma. I especially desire in this connection to say that without the kindly advice
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and assistance of President Theodore Roosevelt, this book could not have been written respectfully.
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S. M. Barrett, Lawton, Oklahoma, August fourteenth, nineteen
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o six. Introductory by S. M. Barrett. I first met Geronimo
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in the summer of nineteen o four, when I acted for him as interpreter
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of English into Spanish and vice versa in selling a war bonnet. After that,
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he always had a pleasant word for me when we met, but never
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entered into a general conversation with me until he learned that I had once been
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wounded by a Mexican. As soon as he was told of this, he
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came to see me and expressed freely his opinion of the average Mexican and his
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aversion to all Mexicans in general. I invited him to visit me again,
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which he did, and upon his invitation I visited him at his teepee in
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the Fortsill Military Reservation. In the summer of nineteen o five. Doctor J.
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M. Greenwood, Superintendent of schools at Kansas City, Missouri, visited
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me and I took him to see the Chief. Geronimo was quite formal and
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reserved until doctor Greenwood said, I am a friend of General Howard, whom
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I have heard speak of. You Come, said Geronimo, and led the
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way to a shade, had seats brought for us, put on his war
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bonnet, and served watermelon a llah apache cut in big chunks, while he
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talked freely and cheerfully. When we left, he gave us a pressing invitation
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to visit him again. In a few days. The old chief came to
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see me and asked about my father. I said, you mean the old
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gentleman from Kansas City. He has returned to his home. He is your
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father, said Geronimo. No, I said, my father died twenty five
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years ago. Doctor Greenwood is only my friend. After a moment's silence,
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the old Indian spoke again, this time in a tone of voice intended to
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carry conviction, or at least to allow no further discussion. Your natural father
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is dead. This man has been your friend and adviser from youth by adoption.
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He is your father. Tell him he is welcome to come to my
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home at any time. It was of no use to explain any more,
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for the old man had determined not to understand my relation to doctor Greenwood except
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in accordance with Indian customs, and I let the matter drop. In the
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latter part of that summer, I asked the old Chief to allow me to
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publish some of the things he had told me, but he objected, saying,
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however, that if I would pay him, and if the officers in
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charge did not object, he would tell me the whole story of his life.
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I immediately called at the fort Fort Sill and asked the officer in charge,
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Lieutenant Purrington, for permission to write the life of Geronimo. I was
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promptly informed that the privilege would not be granted. Lieutenant Purrington explained to me
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the many depredations committed by Geronimo and his warriors, and the enormous cost of
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subduing the Apaches, adding that the the old Apache deserved to be hanged rather
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than spoiled by so much attention from civilians. A suggestion from me that our
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government had paid many soldiers and officers to go to Arizona and kill Geronimo and
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the Apaches, and that they did not seem to know how to do.
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It did not prove very gratifying to the pride of the regular army officer,
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and I decided to seek elsewhere for permission. Accordingly, I wrote to President
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Roosevelt that here was an old Indian who had been held a prisoner of war
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for twenty years and had never been given a chance to tell his side of
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the story, and asked that Geronimo be granted permission to tell for publication in
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his own way, the story of his life, and that he be guaranteed
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that the publication of his story would not affect unfavorably the Apache prisoners of war.
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By return mail, I received word that the authority had been granted.
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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 permission as requested. An interview was requested
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that I might receive the instructions of the War Department. When I went to
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Fort Sill, the officer in command handed me the following brief, which constituted
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my instructions. Lawton, Oklahoma, August twelfth, nineteen o five, Geronimo
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Apache, Chief S M. Barrett, Superintendent of Schools, Letter to the
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President, stating that above mentioned desires to tell his life story that it may
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be published, and requests permission to tell it in his own way, and
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also desires assurance that what he has to say will in no way work a
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hardship for the Apache Tribe. First endorsement, War Department, the Military Secretary's
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Office, Washington, August twenty fifth, nineteen oh five, Respectfully referred by
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direction of the Acting Chief of Staff, through Headquarters, Department of Texas,
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to the Officer in charge of the Apache Prisoners of War at Fort Sill,
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Oklahoma Territory, for remark and recommendation. Signed E. F. Ladd,
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Military Secretary. Second endorsement, Headquarters, Department of Texas, Military Secretary's Office,
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San Antonio, August twenty ninth, nineteen oh five, Respectfully transmitted to
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First Lieutenant George A. Purrington, eighth Cavalry, in charge of Apache Prisoners,
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through Commanding Officer, Fort Sill, Oklahoma Territory, by command of Brigadier
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General Lee. Signed C. D. Roberts, Captain, seventh Infantry,
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Acting Military Secretary. Third endorsement, Fort Sill, Oklahoma Territory, August thirty
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first, nineteen oh five, Respectfully referred to First Lieutenant G. A.
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Perrington, eighth Cavalry Officer in charge of Apache Prisoners of War, for remark
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and recommendation by order of Captain Dade. Signed James Longstreet, First Lieutenant and
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Squadron Adjutant, thirteenth Cavalry Adjutant, fourth Endorsement, Fort Sill, Oklahoma Territory,
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September second, nineteen o five, Respectfully Returned to the Adjutant, Fort
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Sill, Oklahoma Territory. I can see no objection to Geronimo telling the story
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of his past life, providing he tells the truth. I would recommend that
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mister S. M. Barrett be held responsible for what is written and published.
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Signed George A. Perrington, First Lieutenant, eighth Cavalry in charge of
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Apache Prisoners of War, Fifth Endorsement, Fort Sill, Oklahoma Territory, September
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fourth, nineteen o five, Respectfully Returned to the Military Secretary Department of Texas,
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San Antonio, Texas, inviting attention to fourth Endorsement HURON. It is
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recommended that the manuscript be submitted before publication to Lieutenant Perrington, who can pass
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upon the truth of the story. Signed A. L. Dade, Captain
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thirteenth Cavalry Commanding sixth Endorsement, Headquarters, Department of Texas, San Antonio,
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September eighth, nineteen o five, Respectfully returned to the Military Secretary, War
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Department, Warshington, d C. Inviting attention to the preceding endorsement HURON,
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which is concurred in. Signed J. M. Lee, Brigadier General,
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Commanding seventh Indorsement, War Department, Office of the Chief of Staff, Washington,
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September thirteenth, nineteen o five, Respectfully submitted to the Honorable the Secretary
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of War inviting attention to the foregoing endorsements. Signed J. C. Bates,
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Major General, Acting Chief of Staff, eighth Endorsement, War Department,
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September fifteenth, nineteen o five, Respectfully returned to the Acting Chief of Staff
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to grant the necessary authority in this matter through official channels, with the express
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understanding that the manuscript of the book shall be submitted to him before publication.
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Upon receipt of such manuscript, the Chief of Staff will submit it to such
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person as he may select as competent to make a proper and critical inspection of
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the proposed publication. Signed Robert Shaw Oliver, Acting Secretary of War, ninth
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Endorsement, War Department, the Military Secretary's Office, Washington, September eighteenth,
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nineteen respectfully returned by direction of the Acting Chief of Staff to the Commanding General,
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Department of Texas, who will give the necessary instructions for carrying out the
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directions of the Acting Secretary of War contained in the eighth endorsement. It is
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desired that mister Barrett be advised accordingly. Signed Henry P. McCain, Military
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Secretary, Tenth Endorsement, Headquarters, Department of Texas, Military Secretary's Office,
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San Antonio, September twenty third, nineteen oh five, Respectfully referred to the
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Commanding Officer Fort Sill, Oklahoma Territory, who will give the necessary instructions for
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carrying out the direction of the Acting Secretary of War contained in the eighth endorsement.
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Here On this paper will be shown and fully explained to mister Barrett,
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and then returned to these headquarters by order of Colonel Hughes. Signed George Van
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Horne Moseley, First Lieutenant, First Cavalry, Aide de camp, Acting Military
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Secretary. Early in October I secured the services of an educated Indian Asa dec
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Luji, son of Hull, Chief of the net nay Apaches as interpreter,
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and the work of compiling the book began. Geronimo refused to talk when a
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stenographer was present or to wait for corrections or questions when telling the story.
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Each day, he had in mind what he would tell, and told it
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in a very clear, brief manner. He might prefer to talk at his
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own teepee, at asadc. Lugi's house in some mountain dell, or as
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he rode in a swinging gallop across the prairie, wherever his fancy led him.
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There he told whatever he wished to tell, and no more. On
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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
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said, write what I have spoken, and left us to remember and write
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the story without one bit of assistance. He would agree, however, to
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come on another day to my study or any place designated by me, and
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listen to the reproduction in apache of what had been told, And at such
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times he would answer all questions or add information wherever he could be convinced that
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it was necessary. He soon became so tired of bookmaking that he would have
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abandoned the task, but for the fact that he had agreed to tell the
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complete story. When he once gives his word, nothing will turn him from
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fulfilling his promise. A very striking illustration of this was furnished by him early
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in January nineteen o six. He had agreed to come to my study on
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a certain date, But at the appointed hour the interpreter came alone and said
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that Geronimo was very sick with cold and fever. He had come to tell
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me that we must appoint another date, as he feared the old warrior had
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an attack of pneumonia. It was a cold day, and the interpreter drew
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a chair up to the grate to warm himself after the exposure of the long
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ride. Just as he was seating himself, he looked out of the window,
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then rose quickly, and without speaking, pointed to a rapidly moving object
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coming our way. In a moment, I recognized the old Chief, riding
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furiously, evidently trying to arrive as soon as the interpreter did. His horse
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flecked with foam and reeling from exhaustion. Dismounting, he came in and said
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in a hoarse whisper I promised to come. I am here. I explained
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to him that I had not expected him to come on such a stormy day,
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and that in his physical condition he must not try to work. He
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stood for some time, and then, without speaking, left the room,
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remounted his tired pony, and with bowed head, faced ten long miles of
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cold north wind. He had kept his promise. When he had finished his
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story, I submitted the manuscript to Major Charles W. Taylor, eighteenth Cavalry
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Commandant, Fort Sill, Oklahoma, who gave me some valuable suggestions as to
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additional related information, which I asked Geronimo to give. In most cases,
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the old chief gave the desired information, but in some instances he refused,
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stating his reasons for so doing. When the added information had been incorporated,
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I submitted the manuscript to President Roosevelt, from whose letter I quote, this
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is a very interesting volume which you have in manuscript, But I would advise
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that you disclaim responsibility in all cases where the reputation of an individual is assailed.
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In accordance with that suggestion, I have appended notes throughout the book disclaiming
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responsibility for adverse criticisms of any persons mentioned by Geronimo. On June two,
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nineteen o six, I transmitted the complete manuscript to the War Department. The
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following quotation is from the letter of transmission, in accordance with Endorsement number eight
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of the brief submitted to me by the Commanding Officer of Fort Sill, which
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endorsement constituted the instructions of the Department. I submit herewith the manuscript of the
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Autobiography of Geronimo. The manuscript has been submitted to the President, and at
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his suggestion, I have disclaimed any responsibility for the criticisms made by Geronimo of
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individuals mentioned. In six weeks after the manuscript was forwarded, Thomas C.
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Barry, Brigadier General, Assistant to the Chief of Staff, sent to the
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President the following memorandum for the Secretary of War, subject Manuscript of the Autobiography
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of Geronimo. The paper herewith which was referred to this office on July six,
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with instructions to report as to whether there is anything objectionable in it,
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is returned. The manuscript is an interesting autobiography of a notable Indian made by
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himself. There are a number of passages which from the departmental point of view
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are decidedly objectionable. These are found on pages seventy three, seventy four,
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ninety, ninety one, and ninety seven and are indicated by marginal lines in
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red. The entire manuscript appears in a way important as showing the Indian side
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of a prolonged controversy, but it is believed that the document, either in
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whole or in part, should not receive the approval of the War Department.
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The memorandum is published that the objections of the War Department may be made known
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to the public. The objection is raised to the mention on pages seventy three
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and seventy four of the manuscript of an attack upon Indians in a tent at
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Apache Pass or Bowie by U. S. Soldiers. The statement of Geronimo
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is however, substantially confirmed by L. C. Hughes, editor of The
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Star, Tucson, Arizona. On pages ninety and ninety one of the manuscript,
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Geronimo criticized General Cook. This criticism is simply Geronimo's private opinion of General
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Cook. We deem it a personal matter and leave it without comment, as
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it in no way concerns the history of the ap Packs. On page ninety
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seven of the manuscript, Geronimo accuses General Miles of bad faith. Of course,
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General Miles made the treaty with the Apaches, but we know very well
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that he is not responsible for the way the government subsequently treated the prisoners of
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war. However, Geronimo cannot understand this, and fixes upon General Miles the
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blame for what he calls unjust treatment. One could not expect the Department of
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War to approve adverse criticisms of its own acts, but it is especially gratifying
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that such a liberal view has been taken of these criticisms, and also that
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such a frank statement of the merits of the autobiography is submitted in the memorandum.
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Of course, neither the President nor the War Department is in any way
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responsible for what Geronimo says. He has simply been granted the opportunity to state
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his own case as he sees it. The fact that Geronimo has told the
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story in his own way is doubtless the only excuse necessary to offer for the
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many unconventional features of this work. End of dedicatory preface and introductory Section one,
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Part one of the Apaches. Chapter one origin of the apache Indians.
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In the beginning, the world was covered with darkness. There was no sun,
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no day. The perpetual night had no moon or stars. There were,
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however, all manner of beasts and birds. Among the beasts were many
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hideous, nameless monsters, as well as dragons, lions, tigers, wolves,
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foxes, beavers, rabbits, squirrels, rats, mice, and all
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manner of creeping things, such as lizards and serpents. Mankind could not prosper
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under such conditions, for the beasts and serpents destroyed all human offspring. All
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creatures had the power of speech and were gifted with reason. There were two
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tribes of creatures, the birds, or the feathered tribe, and the beasts.
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The former were organized under their chief, the eagle. These tribes often
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held councils, and the birds wanted light. Admitted this, the beasts repeatedly
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refused to do. Finally, the birds made war against the beasts. The
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beasts were armed with clubs, but the eagle had taught his tribe to use
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bows and arrows. The serpents were so wise that they could not all be
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killed. One took refuge in a perpendicular cliff of a mountain in Arizona,
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and his eye changed into a brilliant stone may be seen in that rock to
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this day. The bears, when killed, would each be changed into several
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other bears, so that the more bears the feathered tribe killed, the more
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there were. The dragon could not be killed either, for he was covered
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with four coats of horny scales, and the arrows would not penetrate these.
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One of the most hideous vile monsters, nameless was proof against arrows. So
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the eagle flew high up in the air with a round white stone and let
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it fall on this monster's head, killing him instantly. This was such a
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good service that the stone was called sacred. A symbol of this stone is
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used in the tribal game of Ka. They fought for many days, but
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at last the birds won the victory. After this war was over, although
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some evil beasts remained, the birds were able to control the councils, and
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light was admitted. Then man could live and prosper. The eagle was chief
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in this good fight. Therefore his feathers were worn by man as emblems of
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wisdom, justice, and power. Among the few human beings that were yet
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alive was a woman who had been blessed with many children, but these had
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always been destroyed by the beasts. If by any means she succeeded in eluding
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the others, the dragon, who was very wise and very evil, would
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come himself and eat her babes. After many years, a son of the
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rainstorm was born to her, and she dug for him a deep cave.
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The entrance to this cave she closed, and over the spot built a camp
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fire. This concealed the babe's hiding place and kept him warm. Every day
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she would remove the fire and descend into the cave where the child's bed was
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to nurse him. Then she would return and rebuild the campfire. Frequently the
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dragon would come and question her, but she would say, I have no
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more children. You have eaten all of them. When the child was larger,
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he would not always stay in the cave, for he sometimes wanted to
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run and play. Once the dragon saw his tracks. Now this perplexed and
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enraged the old dragon, for he could not find the hiding place of the
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boy. But he said that he would destroy the mother if she did not
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reveal the child's hiding place. The poor mother was very much troubled. She
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could not give up her child, but she knew the power and cunning of
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the dragon. Therefore she lived in constant fear. Soon after this, the
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boy said he wished to go hunting. The mother would not give her consent.
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She told him of the dragon, the wolves, and the serpents,
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but he said, tomorrow I go. At the boy's request, his uncle,
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who was the only man then living, made a little bow and some
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arrows for him, and the two went hunting. The next day, they
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trailed the deer far up the mountain, and finally the boy killed a buck.
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His uncle showed him how to dress the deer and broil the meat.
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They broiled two hind quarters, one for the child and one for his uncle.
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When the meat was done, they placed it on some bushes to cool.
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Just then the huge form of the dragon appeared. The child was not
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afraid, but his uncle was so dumb with fright that he did not speak
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or move. The dragon took the boy's parcel of meat and went aside with
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it. He placed the meat on another bush and seated himself beside it.
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Then he said, this is the child I have been seeking. Boy.
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You are nice and fat, so when I have eaten this venison, I
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shall eat you. The boy said, no, you shall not eat me,
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and you shall not eat that meat. So he walked over to where
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the dragon sat and took the meat back to his own seat. The dragon
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said, I like your courage, but you are foolish. What do you
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think you could do? Well, said the boy. I can do enough
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to protect myself, as you may find out. Then the dragon took the
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meat again, and then the boy retook it four times in all. The
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dragon took the meat, and after the fourth time, the boy replaced the
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meat. He said, dragon, will you fight me? The dragon said
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yes, in whatever way you like. The boy said, I will stand
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one hundred paces distant from you, and you may have four shots at me
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with your bow and arrows, provided that you will then exchange places with me
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and give me four shots. Good, said the dragon. Stand up.
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Then the dragon took his bowl, which was made of a large pine tree.
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He took four arrows from his quiver. They were made of young pine
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tree saplings, and each arrow was twenty feet in length. He took deliberate
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aim, but just as the arrow left the bowl, the boy made a
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peculiar sound and leaped into the air. Immediately, the arrow was shivered into
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eight thousand splinters, and the boy was seen standing on the top of a
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bright rainbow over the spot where the dragon's aim had been directed. Soon the
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rainbow was gone and the boy was standing on the ground again. Four times
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this was repeated. Then the boy said, dragon, stand here, it
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is my time to shoot. The dragon said, all right, your little
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arrows cannot pierce my first coat of horn, and I have three other coats.
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Shoot away. The boy shot an arrow, striking the dragon just over
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the heart, and one coat of the great horny scales fell to the ground.
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The next shot another coat, and then another, and the dragon's heart
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was exposed. Then the dragon trembled but could not move. Before the fourth
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arrow was shot, the boy said, uncle, you are dumb with fear.
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You have not moved. Come here, or the dragon will fall on
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you. His uncle ran toward him. Then he sped the fourth arrow with
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true aim, and it pierced the dragon's heart with a tremendous roar. The
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dragon rolled down the mountain side down four precipices into a canyon below. Immediately,
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storm clouds swept the mountains, Lightning flashed, thunder rolled, and the
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rain poured. When the rain storm had passed far down in the canyon below,
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they could see fragments of the huge body of the dragon lying among the
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rocks, and the bones of this dragon may still be found there. This
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boy's name was Apache. Usun taught him how to prepare herbs for medicine,
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how to hunt, and how to fight. He was the first chief of
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the Indians and wore the eagle's feathers as the sign of justice, wisdom,
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and power to him and to his people. As they were created, Usen
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gave homes in the land the west. Chapter two subdivisions of the Apache tribe.
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The Apache Indians are divided into six subtribes. To one of these,
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the badonkahey I belong. Our tribe inhabited that region of mountainous country which lies
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west from the east line of Arizona and south from the headwaters of the Hila
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River. East of us lived the chechene Ojo Caliente hot Springs Apaches. Our
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tribe never had any difficulty with them. Victoria, their chief, was always
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a friend to me. He always helped our tribe when we asked him for
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help. He lost his life in the defense of the rights of his people.
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He was a good man and a brave warrior. His son, Charlie,
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now lives here in this reservation with us. North of us lived the
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White Mountain Apaches. They were not always on the best of terms with our
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tribe, yet we seldom had any war with them. I knew their chief,
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Hashkayala, personally, and I considered him a good warrior. Their range
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was next to that of the Navajo Indians, who were not of the same
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blood as the Apaches. We held councils with all Apache tribes, but never
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with the Navajo Indians. However, we traded with them and sometimes visited them.
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To the west of our country ranged the Chiahen Apaches. They had two
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chiefs within my time, Cossito and Kodahoya. They were friendly but not intimate
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with our tribe. South of us lived the Chikonan Chirakawa Apaches, whose chief
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in the old days was Coochies and later his son Nichi. This tribe was
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always on the most friendly terms with us. We were often in camp and
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on the trail together. Naichi, who was my companion in arms, is
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now my companion in bondage. To the south and west of us lived the
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net Naie Apaches. Their chief was Ho, called by the Mexicans Capitan Ho.
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They were our firm friends. The land of this tribe lies partly in
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Old Mexico and partly in Arizona. Ho and I often camped and fought side
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by side as brothers. My enemies were his enemies, my friends his friends.
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He is dead now, but his son Aesa is interpreting this story for
32:32
me still. The four tribes, but don Kahe, Chikonan, Jiehen and
32:38
net Nai, who were fast friends in the days of freedom, cling together
32:44
as they decrease in number. Only the destruction of all our people would dissolve
32:49
our bonds of friendship. We are vanishing from the earth. Yet I cannot
32:55
think we are useless, or Usun would not have created us. He created
33:01
all tribes of men, and certainly had a righteous purpose in creating each.
33:07
For each tribe of men Usuin created, he also made a home in the
33:13
land created for any particular tribe, he placed whatever would be best for the
33:19
welfare of that tribe. When Usin created the Apaches, he also created their
33:24
homes in the west. He gave to them such grain, fruits, and
33:29
game as they needed. To eat to restore their health. When disease attacked
33:34
them, he made many different herbs to grow. He taught them where to
33:37
find these herbs and how to prepare them for medicine. He gave them a
33:43
pleasant climate, and all they needed for clothing and shelter was at hand.
33:47
Thus it was in the beginning the apaches and their homes, each created for
33:53
the other by usin himself. When they are taken from these homes, they
33:59
sickened and die. How long will it be until it is said there are
34:05
no Apaches? Chapter three, Early Life. I was born in Nadoyan Canyon,
34:13
Arizona, June eighteen, twenty nine, in that country which lies around
34:17
the headwaters of the Hila River. I was reared. This range was our
34:22
fatherland. Among these mountains, our wigwams were hidden. The scattered valleys contained
34:28
our fields. The boundless prairies stretching away on every side were our pastures.
34:34
The rocky caverns were our burying places. I was fourth in a family of
34:39
eight children, four boys and four girls. Of that family, only myself,
34:45
my brother Porco Whitehorse, and my sister Nadatzi are yet alive. We
34:52
are held as prisoners of war in this military reservation Fort Sill. As a
34:59
babe, I rolled on the dirt floor of my father's teepee, hung in
35:02
my so apatchy name for cradle, at my mother's back, or suspended from
35:07
the bow of a tree. I was warmed by the sun, rocked by
35:13
the winds, and sheltered by the trees. As other Indian babes. When
35:17
a child, my mother taught me the legends of our people. Taught me
35:22
of the sun and sky, the moon and stars, the clouds and storms.
35:28
She also taught me to kneel and pray to Usin for strength, health,
35:34
wisdom and protection. We never prayed against any person, but if we
35:39
had aught against any individual, we ourselves took vengeance. We were taught that
35:45
Usuin does not care for the petty quarrels of men. My father had often
35:51
told me of the brave deeds of our warriors, of the pleasures of the
35:54
chase and the glories of the war path. With my brothers and sisters,
36:00
I played about my father's home. Sometimes we played at hide and seek among
36:05
the rocks and pines. Sometimes we loitered in the shade of the cottonwood trees
36:09
or sought the shotuck, a kind of wild cherry. While our parents worked
36:15
in the field, sometimes we played that we were warriors. We would practice
36:20
stealing upon some object that represented an enemy, and in our childish imitation,
36:25
often performed the feats of war. Sometimes we would hide away from our mother
36:31
to see if she could find us, and often, when thus concealed,
36:36
go to sleep and perhaps remain hidden for many hours. When we were old
36:42
enough to be of real service, we went to the field with our parents,
36:45
not to play, but to toil. When the crops were to be
36:50
planted, we broke the ground with wooden hose. We planted the corn in
36:53
straight rows, the beans among the corn, and the melons and pumpkins in
36:59
irregular order over the field. We cultivated these crops as there was need.
37:05
Our field usually contained about two acres of ground. The fields were never fenced.
37:12
It was common for many families to cultivate land in the same valley and
37:16
share the burden of protecting the growing crops from the destruction by the ponies of
37:22
the tribe or by deer and other wild animals. Melons were gathered as they
37:28
were consumed in the autumn. Pumpkins and beans were gathered and placed in bags
37:32
or baskets. Ears of corn were tied together by the husks, and then
37:37
the harvest was carried on the backs of ponies up to our homes. Here
37:42
the corn was shelled, and all the harvest stored away in caves or other
37:46
secluded places, to be used in winter. We never fed corn to our
37:52
ponies, but if we kept them up in the winter time, we gave
37:55
them fodder to eat. We had no cattle or other domestic animals except our
38:00
dogs and ponies. We did not cultivate tobacco, but found it growing wild.
38:07
This we cut and cured in autumn, but if the supply ran out,
38:12
the leaves from the stalks left standing served our purpose. All Indians smoked,
38:17
men and women. No boy was allowed to smoke until he had hunted
38:22
alone and killed large game, wolves and bears. Unmarried women were not prohibited
38:28
from smoking, but were considered immodest if they did so. Nearly all matrons
38:34
smoked. Besides grinding the corn by hand with stone mortars and pestles for bread,
38:40
we sometimes crushed it and soaked it, and after it had fermented,
38:45
made from this juice a tiswin, which had the power of intoxication, and
38:50
was very highly prized by the Indians. This work was done by the squaws
38:54
and children. When berries or nuts were to be gathered, the small children
39:00
and the squaws would go in parties to hunt them, and sometimes stay all
39:04
day. When they went any great distance from camp, they took ponies to
39:08
carry the baskets. I frequently went with these parties, and upon one of
39:14
these excursions, a woman named Chocoli got lost from the party. Anne was
39:19
riding her pony through a thicket in search of her friends. Her little dog
39:23
was following As she slowly made her way through the thick underbrush and pine trees.
39:29
All at once, a grizzly bear rose in her path and attacked the
39:32
pony. She jumped off and her pony escaped, but the bear attacked her,
39:37
so she fought him the best she could with her knife. Her little
39:42
dog, by snapping at the bear's heels and detracting his attention from the woman,
39:46
enabled her for some time to keep pretty well out of his reach.
39:51
Finally, the grizzly struck her over the head, tearing off almost her whole
39:55
scalp. She fell, but did not lose consciousness, and while prostrate struck
40:01
him four good licks with her knife, and he retreated. After he had
40:07
gone, she replaced her torn scalp and bounded up as best she could.
40:10
Then she turned deathly sick and had to lie down. That night, her
40:15
pony came into camp with his load of nuts and berries, but no rider.
40:21
The Indians hunted for her, but did not find her until the second
40:24
day. They carried her home, and under the treatment of their medicine men,
40:30
all her wounds were healed. The Indians knew what herbs to use for
40:35
medicine, how to prepare them, and how to give the medicine. This
40:39
they had been taught by usin in the beginning, and each succeeding generation had
40:45
men who were skilled in the art of healing, in gathering the herbs,
40:51
in preparing them, and in administering the medicine. As much faith was held
40:55
in prayer as in the actual effect of the medicine. Usually about eight persons
41:01
worked together in making medicine, and there were forms of prayer and incantations to
41:07
attend each stage of the process. Four attended to the incantations and four to
41:14
the preparation of the herbs. Some of the Indians were skilled in cutting out
41:19
bullets, arrowheads, and other missiles with which warriors were wounded. I myself
41:23
have done much of this using a common dirk or butcher knife. Small children
41:30
wore very little clothing in winter and none in the summer. Women usually wore
41:36
a primitive skirt which consisted of a piece of cotton cloth fastened about the waist
41:42
and extending to the knees. Men wore breech cloths and moccasins. In winter,
41:46
they had shirts and leggings. In addition, frequently, when the tribe
41:51
was in camp, a number of boys and girls, by agreement, would
41:55
steal away and meet at a place several miles distant. They could play all
42:00
day, free from tasks. They were never punished for these frolics, but
42:06
if their hiding places were discovered, they were ridiculed. And of Part one
42:13
of the Apaches, Section two of Geronimo's Story of his Life. This is
42:17
a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more
42:23
information what a Volunteer, please visit LibriVox dot org. Recording by Sue Anderson.
42:32
Geronimo's Story of his Life by Geronimo, transcribed by S. M.
42:38
Barrett and translated by asidec Luji. Section two, Part two of the Apaches,
42:46
Chapter four tribal amusements, manners, and customs. To celebrate each noted
42:53
event, a feast and dance would be given. Perhaps only our own people,
43:00
perhaps neighboring tribes would be invited. These festivities usually lasted for about four
43:06
days. By day, we feasted. By night, under the direction of
43:10
some chief, we danced. The music for our dance was singing led by
43:15
the warriors, and accompanied by beating the essadadeni buckskin on a hoop. No
43:22
words were sung, only the tones. When the feasting and dancing were over,
43:28
we would have horse races, foot races, wrestling, jumping, and
43:32
all sorts of games gambling. Among these games, the most noted was the
43:38
tribal game of ka foot. It is played as follows. Four moccasins are
43:45
placed about four feet apart in holes in the ground, dug in a row
43:50
on one side of the camp and on the opposite side a similar parallel row.
43:55
At night, a camp fire is started between these two rows of moccasins,
44:00
and the players are arranged on sides, one or any number on each
44:06
side. The score is kept by a bundle of sticks, from which each
44:10
side takes a stick for every point one first, one side takes the bone,
44:15
a symbol of the white rock used by the eagle in slain. The
44:20
nameless Monster puts up blankets between the four moccasins and the fire so that the
44:25
opposing team cannot observe their movements, and then begin to sing the legends of
44:31
Creation. The side having the bone represents the feathered tribe, the opposite side
44:37
represents the beasts. The players representing the birds do all the singing, and
44:45
while singing, hide the bone in one of the moccasins. Then the blankets
44:50
are thrown down. They continue to sing, But as soon as the blankets
44:54
are thrown down, the chosen player from the opposing team, armed with a
45:00
war club, comes to their side of the campfire and with his club strikes
45:06
the moccasin in which he thinks the bone is hidden. If he strikes the
45:09
right moccasin, his side gets the bone and in turn represents the birds,
45:16
while the opposing team must keep quiet and guess. In turn, there are
45:21
only four plays, three that lose and one that wins. When all the
45:25
sticks are gone from the bundle, the side having the largest number of sticks
45:31
is counted winner. This game is seldom played except as a gambling game,
45:37
but for that purpose it is the most popular game known to the tribe.
45:43
Usually the game lasts four or five hours. It is never played in daytime.
45:49
After the games are all finished, the visitors say, we are satisfied,
45:53
and the camp is broken up. I was always glad when the dances
45:59
and feasts were announced, so were all the other young people. Our life
46:04
also had a religious side. We had no churches, no religious organizations,
46:09
no Sabbath day, no holidays, and yet we worshiped. Sometimes the whole
46:16
tribe would assemble to sing and pray, sometimes a smaller number, perhaps only
46:22
two or three. The songs had a few words, but were not formal.
46:28
The singer would occasionally put in such words as he wished instead of the
46:32
usual tone sound. Sometimes we prayed in silence. Sometimes each one prayed aloud.
46:40
Sometimes an aged person prayed for all of us. At other times one
46:45
would rise and speak to us of our duties to each other and to usin
46:51
our services were short. When disease or pestilence abounded, we were assembled and
46:58
questioned by our leaders to ascertain what evil we had done and how usuin could
47:04
be satisfied. Sometimes sacrifice was deemed necessary. Sometimes the offending one was punished.
47:13
If an Apache had allowed his aged parents to suffer for food or shelter,
47:19
if he had neglected or abused the sick, if he had profaned our
47:22
religion, or had been unfaithful, he might be banished from the tribe.
47:30
The Apaches had no prisons as white men have. Instead of sending their criminals
47:35
into prison, they sent them out of their tribe. These faithless, cruel,
47:42
lazy, or cowardly members of the tribe were excluded in such a manner
47:46
that they could not join any other tribe. Neither could they have any protection
47:52
from our unwritten tribal laws. Frequently, these outlaw Indians banded together and committed
48:00
depredations which were charged against the regular tribe. However, the life of an
48:06
outlaw Indian was a hard lot, and their bands never became very large.
48:12
Besides, these bands frequently provoked the wrath of the tribe and secured their own
48:19
destruction. When I was about eight or ten years old, I began to
48:24
follow the chase, and to me, this was never work out. On
48:30
the prairies which ran up to our mountain homes wandered herds of deer, antelope,
48:36
elk, and buffalo to be slaughtered when we needed them. Usually we
48:42
hunted buffalo on horseback, killing them with arrows and spears. Their skins were
48:47
used to make teepees and bedding, their flesh to eat. It required more
48:52
skill to hunt the deer than any other animal. We never tried to approach
48:58
a deer except against the wind. Frequently we would spend hours in stealing upon
49:04
some grazing deer. If they were in the open, we would crawl long
49:08
distances on the ground, keeping a weed or brush before us so that our
49:15
approach would not be noticed. Often we would kill several out of one herd
49:20
before the others would run away. Their flesh was dried and packed in vessels
49:25
and would keep in this condition for many months. The hight of the deer
49:30
was soaked in water and ashes, and the hair removed, and then the
49:36
process of tanning continued until the buckskin was soft and pliable. Perhaps no other
49:42
animal was more valuable to us than the deer. In the forests and along
49:46
the streams were many wild turkeys. These we would drive to the plains,
49:52
then slowly ride up toward them until they were almost tired out. When they
49:59
began to drop and hide, we would ride in upon them and by swinging
50:04
from the side of our horses catch them. If one started to fly,
50:08
we would ride swiftly under him and kill him with a short stick or hunting
50:14
club. In this way we could usually get as many wild turkeys as we
50:19
could carry home on a horse. There were many rabbits in our range,
50:23
and we also hunted them on horseback. Our horses were trained to follow the
50:29
rabbit at full speed, and as they approached them, we would swing from
50:34
one side of the horse and strike the rabbit with our hunting club. If
50:37
he was too far away, we would throw the stick and kill him.
50:43
This was great sport when we were boys, but as warriors we seldom hunted
50:47
small game. There were many fish in the streams, but as we did
50:52
not eat them, we did not try to catch or kill them. Small
50:58
boys sometimes threw stone at them or shot at them for practice with their bows
51:02
and arrows. Usun did not intend snakes, frogs, or fishes to be
51:09
eaten. I have never eaten of them. There were many eagles in the
51:15
mountains. These we hunted for their feathers. It required great skill to steal
51:21
upon an eagle, for besides having sharp eyes, he is wise and never
51:25
stops at any place where he does not have a good view of the surrounding
51:30
country. I have killed many bears with a spear, but was never injured
51:36
in a fight with one. I have killed several mountain lions with arrows,
51:39
and one with a spear. Both bears and mountain lions are good for food
51:45
and valuable for their skin. When we killed them, we carried them home
51:49
on our horses. We often made quivers for our arrows from the skin of
51:53
the mountain lion. These were very pretty and very durable. During by minority,
52:00
we had never seen a missionary or a priest. We had never seen
52:06
a white man. Thus quietly lived the badonkahey Apaches, Chapter five. The
52:14
family. My grandfather Mako had been our chief. I never saw him,
52:20
but my father often told me of the great size, strength, and sagacity
52:24
of this old warrior. Their principal wars had been with the Mexicans. They
52:30
had some wars with other tribes of Indians also, but were seldom at peace
52:36
for any great length of time with the Mexican towns. Mako died when my
52:39
father was but a young warrior, and Mangus Colorado became chief of the Badonkahee
52:45
Apaches when I was but a small boy. My father died after having been
52:52
sick for some time. When he passed away carefully, the watchers closed his
52:58
eyes. Then they arrayed him in his best clothes, painted his face afresh,
53:04
wrapped a rich blanket around him, saddled his favorite horse, bore his
53:09
arms in front of him, and led his horse behind, repeating in wailing
53:15
tones his deeds of valor as they carried his body to a cave in the
53:20
mountain. Then they slew his horses, and we gave away all of his
53:25
other property, as was customary in our tribe, after which his body was
53:30
deposited in the cave, his arms beside him. His grave is hidden by
53:37
piles of stone. Wrapped in splendor. He lies in seclusion, and the
53:42
winds in the pines sing a low requiem over the dead warrior. After my
53:49
father's death, I assumed the care of my mother. She never married again,
53:53
although according to the customs of our tribe, she might have done so
53:58
immediately after his death. Usually, however, the widow who has children remained
54:04
single after her husband's death for two or three years, but the widow without
54:09
children marries again. Immediately after a warrior's death, his widow returns to her
54:15
people and may be given away or sold by her father or brothers. My
54:22
mother chose to live with me, and she never desired to marry again.
54:28
We lived near our old home and I supported her. In eighteen forty six,
54:34
being seventeen years of age, I was admitted to the Council of the
54:37
Warriors. Then I was very happy, for I could go wherever I wanted
54:44
and do whatever I liked. I had not been under the control of any
54:49
individual, but the customs of our tribe prohibited me from sharing the glories of
54:53
the war path until the council admitted me when opportunity offered. After this,
55:00
I could go on the war path with my tribe. This would be glorious.
55:06
I hoped soon to serve my people in battle. I had long desired
55:09
to fight with our warriors. Perhaps the greatest joy to me was that now
55:15
I could marry the fair alope, daughter of Nuposo. She was a slender,
55:21
delicate girl, but we had been lovers for a long time. So
55:25
as soon as the council granted me these privileges, I went to see her
55:30
father concerning our marriage. Perhaps our love was of no interest to him,
55:37
Perhaps he wanted to keep a lope with him, for she was a dutiful
55:40
daughter. At any rate, he asked many ponies for her. I made
55:45
no reply, but in a few days appeared before his wigwam with the herd
55:52
of ponies and took with me a lope. This was all the marriage ceremony
55:57
necessary in our tribe. Not far from my mother's teepee, I had made
56:01
for us a new home. The teepee was made of buffalo hides, and
56:07
in it were many bare robes, lion hides, and other trophies of the
56:12
chase, as well as my spears, bows and arrows. A lope had
56:17
made many little decorations of beads and drawn work on buckskin, which she placed
56:22
in our teepee. She also drew many pictures on the walls of our home.
56:29
She was a good wife, but she was never strong. We followed
56:32
the traditions of our fathers and were happy. Three children came to us,
56:37
children that played, loitered and worked as I had done. Chapter six Kaskilla.
56:46
In the summer of eighteen fifty eight. Being at peace with the Mexican
56:51
towns as well as with all the neighboring Indian tribes, we went south into
56:55
Old Mexico to trade our whole tribe, but doun quihete apaches went through Sonora
57:02
towards Casa Grande, our destination, but just before reaching that place, we
57:08
stopped at another Mexican town called by the Indians Kaskia. Here we stayed for
57:15
several days, camping just outside the city. Every day we would go into
57:21
town to trade, leaving our camp under the protection of a small guard so
57:25
that our arms, supplies, and women and children would not be disturbed during
57:30
our absence. Late one afternoon, when returning from town, we were met
57:37
by a few women and children who told us that the Mexican troops from some
57:43
other town had attacked our camp, killed all the warriors of the guard,
57:49
captured all our ponies, secured our arms, destroyed our supplies, and killed
57:57
many of our women and children. Quickly we separated, concealing ourselves as best
58:02
we could, until nightfall, when we assembled at our appointed place of rendezvous,
58:07
a thicket by the river silently, we stole in. One by one,
58:14
sentinels were placed, and when all were counted, I found that my
58:19
aged mother, my young wife, and my three small children were among the
58:24
slain. There were no lights in camp, so without being noticed, I
58:30
silently turned away and stood by the river. How long I stood there,
58:37
I do not know, But when I saw the warriors arranging for a council,
58:43
I took my place. That night, I did not give my vote
58:46
for or against any measure, but it was decided that as there were only
58:52
eighty warriors left, and as we were without arms or supplies, and were
59:00
furthermore surrounded by the Mexicans far inside their own territory, we could not hope
59:07
to fight successfully. So our chief, Mangus Colorado, gave the order to
59:13
start at once, in perfect silence, for our homes in Arizona, leaving
59:19
the dead upon the field. I stood until all had passed, hardly knowing
59:25
what I would do. I had no weapon, nor did I hardly wish
59:30
to fight. Neither did I contemplate recovering the bodies of my loved ones,
59:37
for that was forbidden. I did not pray, nor did I resolve to
59:43
do anything in particular for I had no purpose left. I finally followed the
59:51
tribe silently, keeping just within hearing distance of the soft noise of the feet
59:57
of the retreating apaches. The next morning, some of the Indians killed a
1:00:01
small amount of game, and we halted long enough for the tribe to cook
1:00:06
and eat when the march was resumed. I had killed no game and did
1:00:12
not eat during the first march, as well as while we were camped at
1:00:15
this place, I spoke to no one, and no one spoke to me.
1:00:22
There was nothing to say. For two days and three nights we were
1:00:27
on forced marches, stopping only for meals. Then we made a camp near
1:00:32
the Mexican border, where we rested two days. Here I took some food
1:00:37
and talked with the other Indians who had lost in the massacre. But none
1:00:43
had lost as I had, for I had lost all. Within a few
1:00:49
days we arrived at our own settlement. There were the decorations that Alope had
1:00:54
made, and there were the playthings of our little ones earned them all,
1:01:00
even our teepee. I also burned my mother's teepee and destroyed all her property.
1:01:07
I was never again contented in our quiet home. True I could visit
1:01:13
my father's grave. But I had vowed vengeance upon the Mexican troopers who had
1:01:17
wronged me, and whenever I came near his grave or saw anything to remind
1:01:24
me of my former happy days, my heart would ache for revenge upon Mexico.
1:01:32
As soon as we had again collected some arms and supplies Mangus Colorado,
1:01:38
our chief called a council and found that all our warriors were willing to take
1:01:44
the war path against Mexico. I was appointed to solicit the aid of other
1:01:49
tribes in this war. When I went to the jaconin Chirakawa Apaches Cochise,
1:01:55
their chief called a council at early dawn. Silently, the warriors assembled at
1:02:01
an open place in a mountain dell and took their seats on the ground,
1:02:07
arranged in rows according to their ranks. Silently they sat smoking. At a
1:02:13
signal from the chief, I arose and presented my cause as follows kinsman,
1:02:20
you have heard what the Mexicans have recently done without cause. You are my
1:02:25
relatives, uncles, cousins, brothers. We are men the same as the
1:02:30
Mexicans are. We can do to them what they have done to us.
1:02:37
Let us go forward and trail them. I will lead you to their city.
1:02:42
We will attack them in their homes. I will fight in the front
1:02:46
of the battle. I only ask you to follow me to avenge this wrong
1:02:52
done by these Mexicans. Will you come, It is well you will all
1:02:57
come. Remember the rule in war, men may return or they may be
1:03:02
killed. If any of these young men are killed, I want no blame
1:03:07
from their kinsmen, for they themselves have chosen to go. If I am
1:03:14
killed, no one need mourn for me. My people have all been killed
1:03:19
in that country, and I too will die if need be. I returned
1:03:24
to my own settlement, reported this success to my chieftain, and immediately departed
1:03:30
to the southward into the land of the net nay Apaches. Their chief,
1:03:35
Hohle, heard me without comment, but he immediately issued orders for a council,
1:03:40
and when all were ready, gave a sign that I might speak.
1:03:45
I addressed them as I had addressed the Choconan tribe, and they also promised
1:03:51
to help us. It was in the summer of eighteen fifty nine, almost
1:03:55
a year from the date of the massacre of Kaskillah, that these three tribes
1:04:00
were assembled on the Mexican border to go upon the war path. Their faces
1:04:05
were painted, the war bands fastened upon their brows, their long scalp locks,
1:04:12
ready for the hand and knife of the warrior who would overcome them.
1:04:16
Their families had been hidden away in a mountain rendezvous near the Mexican border.
1:04:23
With these families, a guard was posted and a number of places of rendezvous
1:04:28
designated in case the camp should be disturbed. When all were ready, the
1:04:32
chieftains gave command to go forward. None of us were mounted, and each
1:04:38
warrior wore moccasins and also a cloth wrapped about his loins. This cloth could
1:04:44
be spread over him when he slept, and when on the march, would
1:04:47
be ample protection as clothing in battle. If the fight was hard, we
1:04:53
did not wish much clothing. Each warrior carried three days rations, but as
1:05:00
we often killed game while on the march, we seldom were without food.
1:05:04
We traveled in three divisions, the Beadoncahey apaches led by Mangus Colorado, the
1:05:11
Chikonan apaches by Cochies, and the net Night apaches by ho However, there
1:05:17
was no regular order inside the separate tribes. We usually marched about fourteen hours
1:05:24
per day, making three stops for meals, and traveling forty to forty five
1:05:30
miles a day, I acted as guide into Mexico, and we followed the
1:05:34
river courses and mountain ranges because we could better thereby keep our movements concealed.
1:05:42
We entered Sonora and went southward past Kitako, Nakozati, and many smaller settlements.
1:05:48
When we were almost at Arispe, we camped and eight men rode out
1:05:54
from the city to parley with us. These we captured, killed, and
1:05:59
scalped. This was to draw the troops from the city, and the next
1:06:03
day they came. The skirmishing lasted all day without a general engagement, but
1:06:10
just at night we captured their supply train, so we had plenty of provisions
1:06:15
and some more guns. That night we posted sentinels and did not move our
1:06:20
camp, but rested quietly all night, for we expected heavy work the next
1:06:27
day. Early the next morning, the warriors were assembled to pray not for
1:06:31
help, but that they might have health and avoid ambush or deceptions by the
1:06:36
enemy, as we had anticipated. About ten o'clock in the morning, the
1:06:43
whole Mexican force came out. There were two companies of cavalry and two of
1:06:47
infantry. I recognized the cavalry as the soldiers who had killed my people at
1:06:54
Kaskilla. This I told to the chieftains, and they said that I might
1:06:59
direct the battle. I was no chief, and never had been, but
1:07:04
because I had been more deeply wrong than others, this honor was conferred upon
1:07:10
me, and I resolved to prove worthy of the trust. I arranged the
1:07:15
Indians in a hollow circle near the river, and the Mexicans drew their infantry
1:07:20
up in two lines, with the cavalry in reserve. We were in the
1:07:26
timber, and they advanced until within about four hundred yards, when they halted
1:07:30
and opened fire. Soon I led a charge against them, at the same
1:07:35
time, sending some braves to attack their rear. In all the battle I
1:07:42
thought of my murdered mother, wife and babies, of my father's grave,
1:07:46
and of my vow of vengeance. And I fought with fury. Many fell
1:07:54
by my hand, and constantly eyelid the advance. Many braves were killed.
1:08:00
The battle lasted about two hours. At the last four Indians were alone in
1:08:05
the center of the field, myself and three other warriors. Our arrows were
1:08:12
all gone, our spears broken off in the bodies of dead enemies. We
1:08:16
had only our hands and knives with which to fight, but all who had
1:08:21
stood against us were dead. Then two armed soldiers came upon us from another
1:08:29
part of the field. They shot down two of our men, and we
1:08:32
The remaining two fled toward our own warriors. My companion was struck down by
1:08:39
a saber, but I reached our warriors, seized a spear and turned.
1:08:45
The one who pursued me missed his aim and fell by my spear with his
1:08:50
saber. I met the trooper who had killed my companion, and we grappled
1:08:56
and fell. I killed him with my knife and quickly ro over his body,
1:09:00
brandishing his saber, seeking for other troopers to kill. There were none,
1:09:08
but the Apaches had seen over the bloody field, covered with the bodies
1:09:13
of Mexicans, rang the fierce Apache war whoop, still covered with the blood
1:09:19
of my enemies, still holding my conquering weapon, still hot with the joy
1:09:26
of battle, victory and vengeance. I was surrounded by the Apache braves and
1:09:30
made war chief of all the Apaches. Then I gave orders for scalping the
1:09:36
slain. I could not call back my loved ones. I could not bring
1:09:42
back the dead Apaches. But I could rejoice in this revenge. The Apaches
1:09:48
had avenged the massacre of Kaskalla. End of Part two of the Apaches,
1:09:57
Part one of the Mexicans seven fighting under difficulties. All the other Apaches were
1:10:03
satisfied after the Battle of Kaskia, but I still desired more revenge. For
1:10:11
several months, we were busy with the chase and other peaceful pursuits. Finally,
1:10:15
I succeeded in persuading two other warriors, Akochne and Kodeni, to go
1:10:20
with me to invade the Mexican country. We left our families with the tribe
1:10:27
and went on the war path. We were on foot and carried three days
1:10:30
rations. We entered Mexico on the north line of Sonora and followed the Sierra
1:10:36
de Attunes mountains to the south end of the range. Here we decided to
1:10:42
attack a small village. I do not know the name of this village.
1:10:46
At daylight, we approached from the mountains. Five horses were hitched outside.
1:10:53
We advanced cautiously, but just before we reached the horses, the Mexicans opened
1:10:59
fire from the houses. My two companions were killed. Mexicans swarmed on every
1:11:05
side. Some were mounted, some were on foot, and all seemed to
1:11:10
be armed. Three times that day I was surrounded, but I kept fighting,
1:11:15
dodging and hiding. Several times during the day, while in concealment,
1:11:19
I had a chance to take deliberate aim at some Mexican who gun in hand
1:11:25
was looking for me. I do not think I missed my aim either time.
1:11:30
With the gathering darkness, I found more time to retreat toward Arizona,
1:11:34
but the Mexicans did not quit the chase. Several times the next day,
1:11:39
mounted Mexicans tried to head me off. Many times they fired on me,
1:11:44
but I had no more arrows, so I depended upon running and hiding.
1:11:49
Although I was very tired, I had not eaten since the chase began,
1:11:55
nor had I dared to stop for rest. The second night, I got
1:11:59
clear of my person, but I never slackened my pace until I reached our
1:12:03
home in Arizona. I came into our camp without booty, without my companions,
1:12:11
exhausted but not discouraged, the wives and children of my two dead companions
1:12:16
were cared for by their people. Some of the Apaches blamed me for the
1:12:20
evil result of the expedition, but I said nothing. Having failed, it
1:12:27
was only proper that I should remain silent. But my feelings towards the Mexicans
1:12:32
did not change. I still hated them and longed for revenge. I never
1:12:39
ceased to plan for their punishment, but it was hard to get the other
1:12:43
warriors to listen to my proposed raids. In a few months after this last
1:12:48
adventure, I persuaded two other warriors to join me in raiding the Mexican frontier.
1:12:55
On our former raid, we had gone through the net Night Apaches Range
1:12:59
into somenth Aura. This time we went through the country of the Chaconan and
1:13:03
entered the Sierra Madre Mountains. We traveled south, secured more rations, and
1:13:10
prepared to begin our raids. We had selected a village near the mountains,
1:13:15
which we intended to attack at daylight. While asleep that night, Mexican scouts
1:13:20
discovered our camp and fired on us, killing one warrior. In the morning,
1:13:26
we observed a company of Mexican troops coming from the south. They were
1:13:30
mounted and carried supplies for a long journey. We followed their trail until we
1:13:35
were sure that they were headed for our range in Arizona. Then we hurried
1:13:42
past them and in three days reached our own settlement. We arrived at noon,
1:13:46
and that afternoon, about three o'clock, these Mexican troops attacked our settlement.
1:13:53
Their first folly killed three small boys. Many of the warriors of our
1:13:57
tribe were away from home. Some of us who were in camp were able
1:14:01
to drive the troops out of the mountains. Before night. We killed eight
1:14:05
Mexicans and lost five two warriors and three boys. The Mexicans rode due south
1:14:13
in full retreat. Four warriors were detailed to follow them, and in three
1:14:17
days these trailers returned, saying that the Mexican cavalry had left Arizona going southward.
1:14:25
We were quite sure they would not return soon. Soon after this,
1:14:30
in the summer of eighteen sixty, I was again able to take the war
1:14:33
path against the Mexicans, this time with twenty five warriors. We followed the
1:14:40
trail of the Mexican troops last mentioned and entered the Sierra de Sahuariba mountains the
1:14:46
second day. In these mountains, our scouts discovered mounted Mexican troops. There
1:14:51
was only one company of cavalry in this command, and I thought that by
1:14:57
properly, surprising them we could defeat them. We ambushed the trail over which
1:15:02
they were to come. This was at a place where the whole company must
1:15:08
pass through a mountain defile. We reserved fire until all of the troops had
1:15:13
passed through. Then the signal was given. The Mexican troopers, seemingly without
1:15:18
a word of command, dismounted and placing their horses on the outside of the
1:15:24
company for breastworks, made a good fight against us. I saw that we
1:15:29
could not dislodge them without using all our ammunition, so I led a charge.
1:15:34
The warriors suddenly pressed in from all sides, and we fought hand to
1:15:40
hand. During this encounter, I raised my spear to kill a Mexican soldier
1:15:45
just as he leveled his gun at me. I was advancing rapidly and my
1:15:50
foot slipping in a pool of blood, I fell under the Mexican trooper.
1:15:56
He struck me over the head with the butt of his gun, knocking me
1:15:59
senseless. Just at that instant, a warrior who followed in my footstiffs killed
1:16:04
the Mexican with a spear. In a few minutes, not a Mexican soldier
1:16:10
was left alive. When the Apache war cry had died away and their enemies
1:16:15
had been scalped. They began to care for their dead and wounded. I
1:16:19
was found lying unconscious where I had fallen. They bathed my head in cold
1:16:25
water and restored me to consciousness. Then they bound up my wound, and
1:16:30
the next morning, although weak from loss of blood and suffering from a severe
1:16:34
headache, I was able to march on the return to Arizona. I did
1:16:40
not fully recover for months, and I still wear the scar given me by
1:16:45
that musketeer. In this fight, we had lost so heavily that there really
1:16:49
was no glory in our victory, and we returned to Arizona. No one
1:16:56
seemed to want to go on the warpath again that year. In the summer
1:17:00
eighteen sixty one, with twelve warriors, I again went into Mexico. We
1:17:05
entered Chihuahua and followed south on the east side of the Sierra Madre Mountains.
1:17:11
Four days journey, then crossed over to the Sierra de Saharipa range, not
1:17:16
far east of Casa Grande. Here we rested one day and sent out scouts
1:17:21
to reconnoiter. They reported pack trains camped five miles west of us. The
1:17:28
next morning, just at daybreak, as these drivers were starting with their mule
1:17:32
pack train, we attacked them. They rode away for their lives, leaving
1:17:38
us the booty. The mules were loaded with provisions, most of which we
1:17:43
took home. Two mules were loaded with side meat or bacon, this we
1:17:47
threw away. We started to take these pack trains home, going northward through
1:17:53
Sonora, but when near Casita, Mexican troops overtook us. It was daybreak
1:18:00
and we were just finishing our breakfast. We had no idea that we had
1:18:05
been pursued or that our enemies were near, until they opened fire. At
1:18:11
the first folley. A bullet struck me a glancing lick, just at the
1:18:15
lower corner of the left eye, and I fell unconscious. All the other
1:18:19
Indians fled to cover. The Mexicans, thinking me dead, started in pursuit
1:18:26
of the fleeing Indians. In a few moments, I regained consciousness and had
1:18:30
started at full speed for the woods when another company coming up opened fire on
1:18:36
me. Then the soldiers who had been chasing the other Indians turned and I
1:18:42
stood between two hostile companies. But I did not stand long. Bullets whistled
1:18:48
in every direction, and at close range to me. One inflicted a slight
1:18:54
flesh wound on my side. But I kept running, dodging and fighting until
1:19:00
I got clear of my pursuers. I climbed up a steep canyon where the
1:19:04
cavalry could not follow. The troopers saw me, but did not dismount and
1:19:10
try to follow. I think they were wise not to come on. It
1:19:15
had been understood that in case of surprise with this booty, our place of
1:19:18
rendezvous should be the Santa be The mountains in Arizona. We did not reassemble
1:19:25
in Mexico, but traveled separately, and in three days we were encamped in
1:19:30
our place of rendezvous. From this place we returned home empty handed. We
1:19:36
had not even a partial victory to report. I again returned wounded, but
1:19:43
I was not yet discouraged. Again I was blamed by our people, and
1:19:48
again I had no reply. After our return, many of the warriors had
1:19:55
gone on a hunt, and some of them had gone north to trade for
1:19:59
blankets from the Navajo Indians. I remained at home, trying to get my
1:20:03
wounds healed. One morning, just at daybreak, when the squaws were lighting
1:20:09
the camp fires to prepare breakfast, three companies of Mexican troops who had surrounded
1:20:15
our settlement in the night, opened fire. There was no time for fighting.
1:20:19
Men, women and children fled for their lives. Many women and children
1:20:25
and a few warriors were killed, and four women were captured. My left
1:20:30
eye was still swollen shut, but with the other I saw well enough to
1:20:34
hit one of the officers with an arrow and then make good my escape among
1:20:40
the rocks. The troopers burned our teepees and took our arms, provisions,
1:20:45
ponies, and blankets. Winter was at hand. There were not more than
1:20:50
twenty warriors in camp at this time, and only a few of us had
1:20:56
secured weapons during the excitement of the attack. A few warriors followed the trail
1:21:00
of the troops as they went back to Mexico with their booty, but were
1:21:05
unable to offer battle. It was a long long time before we were able
1:21:12
to go on the war path against the Mexicans. The four women who were
1:21:15
captured at this time by the Mexicans were taken into Sonora, Mexico, where
1:21:21
they were compelled to work for the Mexicans. After some years, they escaped
1:21:27
to the mountains and started to find our tribe They had knives which they had
1:21:32
stolen from the Mexicans, but they had no other weapons. They had no
1:21:38
blankets, so at night they would make a little teepee by cutting brush with
1:21:42
their knives and setting them up for the walls. The top was covered over
1:21:46
with brush. In this temporary teepee they would all sleep. One night,
1:21:53
when their camp fire was low, they heard growling just outside the teepee.
1:21:58
Francisco, the younger woman of the party, about seventeen years of age,
1:22:02
started to build up the fire when a mountain lion crashed through the teepee and
1:22:08
attacked her. The suddenness of the attack made her drop her knife, but
1:22:13
she fought as best she could with her hand. She was no match for
1:22:16
the lion. However, her left shoulder was crushed and partly torn away.
1:22:21
The lion kept trying to catch her by the throat, this she prevented with
1:22:26
her hands for a long time. He dragged her for about three hundred yards.
1:22:31
Then she found her strength was failing her from loss of blood, and
1:22:35
she called to the other women for help. The lion had been dragging her
1:22:40
by one foot, and she had been catching hold of his legs and of
1:22:45
the rocks and underbrush to delay him. Finally he stopped and stood over her.
1:22:50
She again called her companions, and they attacked him with their knives and
1:22:55
killed him. Then they dressed her wounds and nursed her in the mountain for
1:23:00
about a month. When she was able to walk, they resumed their journey
1:23:04
and reached our tribe in safety. This woman, Francisco, was held as
1:23:11
a prisoner of war with the other Apaches and died on the Fort Sill Reservation
1:23:15
in eighteen ninety two. Her face was always disfigured with those scars, and
1:23:20
she never regained perfect use of her hands. The three older women died before
1:23:27
we became prisoners of war. Many women and children were carried away at different
1:23:31
times by Mexicans. Not many of them ever returned, and those who did
1:23:38
underwent many hardships in order to be again united with their people. Those who
1:23:44
did not escape were slaves to the Mexicans or perhaps even more degraded. When
1:23:50
warriors were captured by the Mexicans, they were kept in chains. Four warriors
1:23:56
who were captured once at a place north of Casa Grande called by the Indians
1:24:00
on Us, were kept in chains for a year and a half when they
1:24:05
were exchanged for Mexicans whom we had captured. We never chained prisoners or kept
1:24:12
them in confinement, but they seldom got away. Mexican men, when captured,
1:24:16
were compelled to cut wood and herd horses. Mexican women and children were
1:24:21
treated as our own people. Chapter eight Raids that were successful. In the
1:24:30
summer of eighteen sixty two, I took eight men and invaded Mexican territory.
1:24:36
We went south on the west side of the Sierra Madre mountains for five days,
1:24:42
then in the night crossed over to the southern part of the Sierra de
1:24:45
Saharipa range. Here we again camped to watch for pack trains. About ten
1:24:53
o'clock next morning, four drivers mounted came past our camp with a pack mule
1:24:58
train. As soon as they saw us, they rode for their lives,
1:25:02
leaving us the booty. This was a long train and packed with blankets,
1:25:09
calico saddles, tinware, and loaf sugar. We hurried home as fast as
1:25:15
we could with these provisions, and on our return, while passing through a
1:25:19
canyon in the Santa Catalina Range of mountains in Arizona, met a white man
1:25:25
driving a mule pack train. When we first saw him, he had already
1:25:30
seen us and was riding at full tilt up the canyon. We examined his
1:25:35
train and found that his mules were all loaded with cheese. We put them
1:25:40
in with the other train and resumed our journey. We did not attempt to
1:25:45
trail the driver, and I am sure he did not try to follow us.
1:25:49
In two days we arrived at home. Then Mangus Colorado, our chief,
1:25:55
assembled the tribe. We gave a feast, divided the spoils, and
1:26:00
danced all night. Some of the pack mules were killed and eaten. This
1:26:04
time, after our return, we kept out scouts so that we would know
1:26:09
if Mexican troops should attempt to follow us. On the third day, our
1:26:13
scouts came into camp and reported Mexican cavalry dismounted and approaching our settlement. All
1:26:21
our warriors were in camp. Mangus Colorado took command of one division and I
1:26:28
of the other. We hoped to get possession of their horses, then surround
1:26:32
the troops in the mountains and destroy the whole company. This we were unable
1:26:38
to do, for they too had scouts. However, within four hours after
1:26:43
we started. We had killed ten troopers with the loss of only one man,
1:26:47
and the Mexican cavalry was in full retreat, followed by thirty armed apaches,
1:26:54
who gave them no rest until they were far inside the Mexican country.
1:27:00
No more troops came that winter. For a long time. We had plenty
1:27:03
of provisions, plenty of blankets, and plenty of clothing. We also had
1:27:11
plenty of cheese and sugar. Another summer, eighteen sixty three, I selected
1:27:17
three warriors and went on a raid into Mexico. We went south into Sonora,
1:27:24
camping in the Sierra de Saharipa mountains. About forty miles west of Casa
1:27:29
Grande is a small village in the mountains called by the Indians Grasanas. We
1:27:34
camped near this place and concluded to make an attack. We had noticed that
1:27:40
just at midday no one seemed to be stirring, so we planned to make
1:27:45
our attack at the noon hour the next day. We stole into the town
1:27:49
at noon. We had no guns, but were armed with spears and bows
1:27:55
and arrows. When the war whoop was given to open the attack, the
1:28:00
Mexicans fled in every direction. Not one of them made any attempt to fight
1:28:04
us. We shot some arrows at the retreating Mexicans, but killed only one.
1:28:11
Soon all was silent in the town and no Mexicans could be seen.
1:28:15
When we discovered that all the Mexicans were gone, we looked through their houses
1:28:20
and saw many curious things. These Mexicans kept many more kinds of property than
1:28:26
the Apaches did. Many of the things we saw in the houses we could
1:28:30
not understand, but in the stores we saw much that we wanted. So
1:28:35
we drove in a herd of horses and mules and packed as much provisions and
1:28:41
supplies as we could on them. Then we formed these animals into a pack
1:28:45
train and returned safely to Arizona. The Mexicans did not even trail us.
1:28:53
When we arrived in camp. We called the tribe together and feasted all day.
1:28:58
We gave presents to everyone. That night, the dance began, and
1:29:01
it did not cease until noon the next day. This was perhaps the most
1:29:08
successful raid ever made by us into Mexican territory. I do not know the
1:29:14
value of the booty, but it was very great, for we had supplies
1:29:18
enough to last our whole tribe for a year or more. End of Part
1:29:25
one of the Mexicans Section four, The Mexicans, Part two. In the
1:29:31
fall of eighteen sixty four, twenty warriors were willing to go with me on
1:29:35
another raid into Mexico. These were all chosen men, well armed and equipped
1:29:42
for battle. As usual, we provided for the safety of our families before
1:29:46
starting on this raid. Our whole tribe scattered and then reassembled at a camp
1:29:51
about forty miles from the former place. In this way, it would be
1:29:57
hard for the Mexicans to trail them, and we would know where to find
1:30:00
our families when we returned. Moreover, if any hostile Indian should see this
1:30:05
large number of warriors leaving our range, they might attack our camp. But
1:30:11
if they found no one at the usual place, their raid would fail.
1:30:15
We went south through the chaconin Apaches range, entered Sonora, Mexico, at
1:30:20
a point directly south of Tombstone, Arizona, and went into hiding in the
1:30:27
Sierra Dertunes mountains. We attacked several settlements in the neighborhood and secured plenty of
1:30:33
provisions and supplies. After about three days, we attacked and captured a mule
1:30:40
pack train at a place called by the Indians Pontoco. It is situated in
1:30:45
the mountains due west, about one day's journey from Arispe. There were three
1:30:49
drivers with this train. One was killed and two escaped. The train was
1:30:55
loaded with mescal, which was contained in bottles held in wicker basque. As
1:31:00
soon as we made camp, the Indians began to get drunk and fight each
1:31:03
other. I too drank enough mascowl to feel the effect of it, but
1:31:09
I was not drunk. I ordered the fighting stopped, but the order was
1:31:14
disobeyed. Soon almost a general fight was in progress. I tried to place
1:31:19
a guard out around our camp, but all were drunk and refused to serve.
1:31:26
I expected an attack from Mexican troops at any moment, and really it
1:31:30
was a serious matter for me, for being in command, I would be
1:31:34
held responsible for any ill luck attending the expedition. Finally, the camp became
1:31:41
comparatively still, for the Indians were too drunk to walk or even to fight.
1:31:46
While they were in this stupor, I poured out all the maskal.
1:31:50
Then I put out all the fires and moved the pack mules to a considerable
1:31:55
distance from camp. After this, I returned to camp to try to do
1:32:00
something for the wounded. I found that only two were dangerously wounded. From
1:32:04
the leg of one of these I cut an arrow head, and from the
1:32:09
shoulder of another I withdrew a spear point. When all the wounds had been
1:32:13
cared for, I myself kept guard until morning. The next day. We
1:32:17
loaded our wounded on the pack mules and started for Arizona. The next day
1:32:24
we captured some cattle from a herd and drove them home with us. But
1:32:28
it was a very difficult matter to drive cattle when we were on foot.
1:32:32
Caring for the wounded and keeping the cattle from escaping made our journey tedious.
1:32:38
But we were not trailed and arrived safely at home with all the booty.
1:32:43
We then gave a feast and dance and divided the spoils. After the dance,
1:32:48
we killed all the cattle and dried the meat. We dressed the hides,
1:32:53
and then the dried meat was packed in between these hides and stored away.
1:32:59
All that winter, we had plenty of meat. These were the first
1:33:01
cattle we ever had. As usual, we killed and ate some of the
1:33:05
mules. We had little use for mules, and if we could not trade
1:33:11
them for something of value, we killed them. In the summer of eighteen
1:33:15
sixty five, with four warriors, I went again into Mexico. Heretofore we
1:33:21
had gone on foot. We were accustomed to fight on foot, Besides,
1:33:26
we could more easily conceal ourselves when dismounted. But this time we wanted more
1:33:30
cattle, and it was hard to drive them when we were on foot.
1:33:35
We entered Sonora at a point southwest from Tombstone, Arizona, and followed the
1:33:42
Sierra der Tuns mountains to the southern limit. Then crossed the country as far
1:33:46
south as the mouth of Yaqui River. Here we saw a great lake,
1:33:51
the Gulf of California, extending beyond the limit of sight. Then we turned
1:33:58
north, attacked several settlements and secured plenty of supplies. When we had come
1:34:04
back northwest of Arispe, we secured about sixty head of cattle and drove them
1:34:11
to our homes in Arizona. We did not go directly home, but camped
1:34:15
in different valleys with our cattle. We were not trailed. When we arrived
1:34:19
at our camp, the tribe was again assembled for feasting and dancing. Presents
1:34:25
were given to everybody. Then the cattle were killed and the meat, dried
1:34:30
and packed. Chapter nine, Varying Fortunes. In the fall of eighteen sixty
1:34:36
five, with nine other warriors, I went into Mexico on foot. We
1:34:42
attacked several settlements south of Casa Grande and collected many horses and mules. We
1:34:48
made our way northward with these animals through the mountains. When near Rispe,
1:34:54
we made camp one evening, and, thinking that we were not being trailed,
1:34:58
turned loose. The whole heard, even those we had been riding.
1:35:02
They were in a valley surrounded by steep mountains, and we were camped at
1:35:06
the mouth of this valley so that the animals could not leave without coming through
1:35:11
our camp. Just as we had begun to eat our supper, our scouts
1:35:15
came in and announced Mexican troops coming toward our camp. We started for the
1:35:20
horses, but troops that our scouts had not seen were on the cliffs above
1:35:26
us and opened fire. We scattered in all directions, and the troops recovered
1:35:31
all our booty. In three days. We reassembled at our appointed place of
1:35:36
rendezvous in the Sierra Madre Mountains in northern Sonora. Mexican troops did not follow
1:35:43
us, and we returned to Arizona without any more fighting and with no booty.
1:35:48
Again, I had nothing to say, but I was anxious for another
1:35:54
raid. Early the next summer, eighteen sixty six, I took thirty mounted
1:36:00
warriors and invaded Mexican territory. We went south through Chihuahua as far as Santa
1:36:05
Cruz, Sonora, then crossed over the Sierra Madre Mountains, following the river
1:36:11
course at the south end of the range. We kept on westward from the
1:36:15
Sierra Madre Mountains to the Sierra de Sajaripa mountains and followed that range northward.
1:36:23
We collected all the horses, mules, and cattle we wanted and drove them
1:36:28
northward through Sonora into Arizona. Mexicans saw us at many times and in many
1:36:33
places, but they did not attack us at any time, nor did any
1:36:39
troops attempt to follow us. When we arrived at our homes, we gave
1:36:43
presents to all, and the tribe feasted and danced. During this raid,
1:36:47
we had killed about fifty Mexicans. The next year, eighteen sixty seven,
1:36:54
Mangus Colorado led eight warriors on a raid into Mexico. I went as a
1:36:59
warrior, for I was always glad to fight the Mexicans. We rode south
1:37:03
from near Tombstone, Arizona, into Sonora, Mexico. We attacked some cowboys,
1:37:10
and after a fight with them, in which two of their number were
1:37:13
killed, we drove all their cattle northward. The second day, we were
1:37:17
driving the cattle but had no scouts out. When we were not far from
1:37:21
a respae, Mexican troops rode upon us. They were well armed and well
1:37:27
mounted, and when we first saw them they were not half a mile away
1:37:31
from us. We left the cattle and rode as hard as we could toward
1:37:35
the mountains, but they gained on us rapidly. Soon they opened fire,
1:37:42
but were so far away from us that we were unable to reach them with
1:37:45
our arrows. Finally we reached some timber, and, leaving our ponies,
1:37:50
fought from cover. Then the Mexicans halted, collected our ponies, and rode
1:37:56
away across the plains toward a respe, driving the cattle with them. We
1:38:01
stood and watched them until they disappeared in the distance, and then took up
1:38:05
our march for home. We arrived home in five days, with no victory
1:38:12
to report, no spoils to divide. And not even the ponies which we
1:38:16
had ridden into Mexico. This expedition was considered disgraceful. The warriors who had
1:38:25
been with Mangus Colorado on this last expedition wanted to return to Mexico. They
1:38:30
were not satisfied. Besides, they felt keenly the taunts of the other warriors
1:38:36
Mangus Colorado would not lead them back. So I took command and we went
1:38:41
on foot directly towards Arrespe and Sonora and made our camp in the Sierra de
1:38:46
Sajariba mountains. There were only six of us, but we raided several settlements
1:38:53
at night, captured many horses and mules, and loaded them with provisions,
1:38:59
saddles, and blankets. Then we returned to Arizona, traveling only at night.
1:39:03
When we arrived at our camp, we sent out scouts to prevent any
1:39:08
surprise by Mexicans. Assembled the tribe, feasted, danced, and divided the
1:39:14
spoils. Mangus Colorado would not receive any of this booty, but we did
1:39:18
not care. No Mexican troops followed us to Arizona. About a year after
1:39:25
this, eighteen sixty eight, Mexican troops rounded up all the horses and mules
1:39:30
of the tribe not far from our settlement. No raids had been made into
1:39:34
Mexico that year, and we were not expecting any attacks. We were all
1:39:40
in camp, having just returned from hunting. About two o'clock in the afternoon,
1:39:45
two Mexican scouts were seen near our settlement. We killed these scouts,
1:39:49
but the troops got under way with the herd of our horses and mules before
1:39:54
we saw them. It was useless to try to overtake them on foot,
1:39:58
and our tribe had not a horse left. I took twenty warriors and trailed
1:40:02
bim. We found the stock at a cattle ranch in Sonora, not far
1:40:08
from Nakozai, and attacked the cowboys who had them in charge. We killed
1:40:13
two men and lost none. After the fight, we drove off our own
1:40:16
stock and all of theirs. We were trailed by nine cowboys. I sent
1:40:23
the stock on ahead, and with three warriors, stayed in the rear to
1:40:27
intercept any attacking parties. One night, when near the Arizona line, we
1:40:31
discovered these cowboys on our trail and watched them camp for the night and picket
1:40:36
their horses. About midnight, we stole into their camp and silently led away
1:40:44
all their horses, leaving the cowboys asleep. Then we rode hard and overtook
1:40:49
our companions, who always traveled at night instead of in the daytime. We
1:40:56
turned these horses in with the herd and fell back to again and intercept anyone
1:41:00
who might trail us. What these nine cowboys did next morning, I do
1:41:04
not know, and I have never heard the Mexicans say anything about it.
1:41:11
I know they did not follow us, for we were not molested when we
1:41:15
arrived in camp. At home, there was great rejoicing in the tribe.
1:41:19
It was considered a good trick to get the Mexicans horses and leave them asleep
1:41:25
in the mountains. It was a long time before we again went into Mexico
1:41:30
or were disturbed by the Mexicans. Chapter ten Other Raids. When reading the
1:41:39
foregoing chapters of Apache Raids, one not acquainted with the lawlessness of the frontier
1:41:45
might wonder how this tendency of the Apaches was developed to such a marked degree.
1:41:49
But one acquainted with the real conditions the disregard for law by both Mexicans
1:41:56
and white men along the borderline of Old Mexico and Arizona in early days can
1:42:00
readily understand where the Apache got his education in the art of conducting lawless raids,
1:42:08
in order therefore that those who are unacquainted with the conditions as they were
1:42:12
in southern Arizona during the eighties may understand the environment of the apaches. This
1:42:17
chapter is given. The events herein narrated are taken by the author from many
1:42:24
accounts given him by reliable men who lived in this section of country during the
1:42:28
period mentioned raid by white men in eighteen eighty two, a company of six
1:42:35
Mexican traders, who were known as smugglers because they evaded duties on goods which
1:42:41
they brought into the United States and sold in Arizona, were camped in Skeleton
1:42:46
Canyon, ten miles north of the north line of Old Mexico. They were
1:42:51
known to carry large sums of money, but as they were always armed and
1:42:56
ready to defend their possessions, they were not often more blested. However,
1:43:00
on this occasion, just as they were rising in the morning to prepare their
1:43:04
breakfast, five white men opened fire on them from ambush, and all save
1:43:11
one of the Mexicans were killed. This one, though wounded, finally made
1:43:15
his escape. A few days after the killing, some cowboys on a round
1:43:19
up camped at this place and buried the remains what the coyotes had left of
1:43:25
these five Mexicans. Two years later, at the same place, a cowboy
1:43:30
found a leather bag containing seventy two Mexican dollars, which small amount of money
1:43:35
had been overlooked by the robbers. The men who did this killing lived in
1:43:40
Arizona for many years afterwards, and although it was known that they had committed
1:43:45
the depredation, no arrests followed, and no attempt was made by any of
1:43:51
the Mexicans to recover the property of their fellow citizens. Mexican Raid. In
1:43:58
eighteen eighty four, a cattleman and four cowboys from his branch started to drive
1:44:03
some fat cattle to market at Tombstone, Arizona. The route they took led
1:44:09
partly through Old Mexico and partly through Arizona. One night, they camped in
1:44:14
a canyon just south of the Mexican border. Next morning, at daylight,
1:44:19
the cowboy, who had been on her duty the last half of the night,
1:44:24
had just come in and aroused the camp when the Mexicans opened fire on
1:44:28
them from ambush. The cattleman and one of the cowboys were severely wounded at
1:44:32
the first folley and took shelter behind the camp wagon, from which position they
1:44:38
fired as long as their ammunition lasted. The other three were only slightly wounded
1:44:44
and reached cover, but only one escaped with his life. He remained in
1:44:48
hiding for two days before his comrades found him. He saw the Mexicans rob
1:44:54
the bodies of the dead and lead away their saddle horses after having cooked breakfast
1:45:00
for themselves in the deserted camp. He was severely wounded and all his ammunition
1:45:05
was gone, Hence he could only wait. On the second day after this
1:45:11
raid, some of the cattle strayed back to the old ranch, thereby giving
1:45:15
notice to the cowboys that there had been foul play. They found their wounded
1:45:19
companions lying delirious near the decaying bodies of their comrades. No arrests were ever
1:45:26
made in Mexico for these murders, and no attempt was made to recover damage
1:45:31
or prosecute the robbers. The two instances above narrated will serve to show the
1:45:38
reader what kind of an example was set for the Apaches by at least a
1:45:42
portion of the inhabitants of the two Christian nations with whom they came in contact
1:45:48
Apache raids. It is thought well to give in this chapter some of the
1:45:54
depredations of the Apaches not told by Geronimo. They are given as told by
1:46:00
our own citizens and from the white man's point of view. In eighteen eighty
1:46:05
four, Judge McCormick and wife, accompanied by their young son, were driving
1:46:11
from Silver City to Lordsburg when they were ambushed by Apaches. The bodies of
1:46:16
the adults were found soon afterward, but the child's body was never recovered.
1:46:23
Years afterward, an Apache squaw told some of the settlers in Arizona that the
1:46:28
little boy, about eight years old, cried so much and was so stubborn
1:46:31
that they had to kill him, although their original intention was to spare his
1:46:38
life. In eighteen eighty two, a man named Hunt was wounded in a
1:46:43
row in a saloon in Tombstone, Arizona. During this row, two other
1:46:47
men had been killed, and to avoid arrest, Hunt and his brother went
1:46:51
into the mountains and camped about ten miles north of Willow's Springs to await the
1:46:58
healing of his wounds. A few days after they came there, Apache Indians
1:47:02
attacked them and killed the wounded brother, but the other, by hard riding,
1:47:09
made good his escape. In eighteen eighty three, two Eastern boys went
1:47:14
into Arizona to prospect. Their real outing began at Willow's Springs, where they
1:47:19
had stayed two days with the cowboys. These cowboys had warned them against the
1:47:24
Apaches, but the young men seemed entirely fearless and pushed on into the mountains.
1:47:30
On the second morning after they left the settlement, one of the boys
1:47:34
was getting breakfast while the other went to bring in the pack horses that had
1:47:38
been hobbled and turned loose the night before to graze. Just about the time
1:47:43
he found the horses, two Apache warriors rode out from cover toward him,
1:47:48
and he made a hasty retreat to camp, jumping off of a bluff and
1:47:53
in so doing breaking his leg. A consultation was then held between the two
1:47:58
Easterners, and it was decided that perhaps all the stories they had been told
1:48:03
of the Apache raids were true, and that it was advisable to surrender.
1:48:09
Accordingly, a white handkerchief was tied to the end of a pole and raised
1:48:14
cautiously above the top of the bluff. In about ten minutes, the two
1:48:18
Indians, one a very old warrior and the other a mere boy. Evidently
1:48:24
his son, rode into camp and dismounted. The old warrior examined the broken
1:48:30
limb, then, without a word, proceeded to take off the shirt of
1:48:34
the uninjured youth with strips of which he carefully bound up the broken leg.
1:48:40
After this, the two Indians ate the prepared breakfast and remounted their ponies.
1:48:45
Then the old warrior, indicating the direction with his thumb, said doctor Lordsburg
1:48:51
three days, and silently rode away. The young men rode twenty five miles
1:48:58
to Sant Simone, where the cowboys fitted them out with a wagon to continue
1:49:01
their journey to Lordsburg, seventy five miles further, where a physician services could
1:49:08
be secured. In eighteen eighty three, two prospectors Alberts and Ryes by name,
1:49:15
were driving eighteen consisting of a horse and a mule through Turkey Creek Bottoms
1:49:20
when they were shot by the Indians. The wagon and harness were left in
1:49:25
the road, and the mule was found dead in the road two hundred yards
1:49:29
from that place. Evidently, the Indians had not much use for him.
1:49:32
The guns of the prospectors were found later, but the horse they drove was
1:49:38
not recovered. In none of the above named instances were the bodies of the
1:49:43
victims mutilated. However, there are many recorded instances in which the Apache Indians
1:49:49
did mutilate the bodies of their victims, but it is claimed by Geronimo that
1:49:55
these were outlawed Indians, as his regular warriors were in store, reducted to
1:50:00
scalp none except those killed in battle, and to torture none except to make
1:50:05
them reveal desired information. In eighteen eighty four, two cowboys in the employment
1:50:13
of the San Simone Cattle Company were camped at Willow Springs, eighteen miles southwest
1:50:18
of Skeleton Canyon and not far from Old Mexico. Just at sundown, their
1:50:25
camp was surrounded by Apaches in warpaint, who said they had been at war
1:50:30
with the Mexicans and wished to return to the United States. There were about
1:50:34
seventy five Indians in the whole tribe, the squaws and children coming up later.
1:50:41
They had with them about one hundred and fifty Mexican horses. The Indians
1:50:45
took possession of the camp and remained for about ten days, getting their supplies
1:50:50
of meat by killing cattle. Of the company with this band of Indians was
1:50:56
a white boy about fourteen years old, who had evident been with them from
1:51:00
infancy, for he could not speak a word of English and did not understand
1:51:05
much Spanish, but spoke the Apache language readily. They would allow but one
1:51:12
of the cowboys to leave camp at a time, keeping the other under guard.
1:51:15
They had sentinels with spyglasses on all the hills and peaks surrounding the camp.
1:51:21
One evening, when one of the cowboys, William Byrne, had been
1:51:26
allowed to pass out of the camp, he noticed an Indian dismounted, and
1:51:30
as he approached, discovered that the Indian had him under range of his rifle.
1:51:35
He immediately dismounted and standing on the opposite side from the red skin through
1:51:41
his own winchester across his horse's neck, when the Indian sprang on his horse
1:51:46
and galloped toward him at full speed, making signs to him not to shoot,
1:51:51
And when he approached him, dismounted and pointing to the ground, showed
1:51:57
burn many fresh deer tracks. Then, as an understanding had been established,
1:52:01
the cowboy remounted and went on his way, leaving the Apache to hunt the
1:52:06
deer. One day, when this cowboy was about ten miles from camp,
1:52:12
he found two splendid horses of the Indians. These horses had strayed from the
1:52:16
herd. Thinking that they would in a way compensate for the cattle the Apaches
1:52:21
were eating, he drove them on for about five miles into a canyon where
1:52:27
there was plenty of grass and water, and left them there, intending to
1:52:30
come back after the departure of the Indians and take possession of them. On
1:52:35
the tenth day after the arrival of this band of Indians, United States troops,
1:52:42
accompanied by two Indians who had been sent to make the arrangements, arrived
1:52:46
in camp, paid for the cattle the Apaches had eaten, took the Indians
1:52:50
and their stock, and moved on towards Fort Bowie. The cowboys immediately started
1:52:57
for the canyon where the two horses had been left, but had not gone
1:53:00
far when they met two Indians driving these horses in front of them as they
1:53:04
pushed on to overtake the tribe. Evidently, the shrewdness of the paleface had
1:53:11
not outwitted the red Man that time. Geronimo says he was in no wise
1:53:16
connected with the events herein mentioned, but refuses to state whether he knows anything
1:53:23
about them. He holds it unmanly to tell of any depredations of Red men
1:53:28
except those for which he was responsible. Such were the events transpiring in Quotes
1:53:34
Apache land during the days when Geronimo was leading his warriors to avenge the Quote's
1:53:42
wrongs of his people. This chapter will serve to show that the Apache had
1:53:46
plenty of examples of lawlessness furnished him, and also that he was a very
1:53:53
apt scholar in this school of savage lawlessness. And of Part two of the
1:54:00
Mexicans, Section five, Part three of the Mexicans, and Part one of
1:54:06
the White Men the Mexicans, Part three, Chapter eleven, Heavy Fighting.
1:54:14
About eighteen seventy three, we were again attacked by Mexican troops in our settlement,
1:54:18
but we defeated them. Then we decided to make raids into Mexico.
1:54:25
We moved our whole camp, packing all our belongings on mules and horses,
1:54:30
went into Mexico and made camp in the mountains near Nakoi. In moving our
1:54:34
camp in this way, we wanted no one to spy on us, and
1:54:39
if we passed a Mexican's home, we usually killed the inmates. However,
1:54:44
if they offered to surrender and made no resistance or trouble in any way,
1:54:49
we would take them prisoners. Frequently we would change our place of rendezvous.
1:54:55
Then we would take with us our prisoners if they were willing to go,
1:54:59
but if they were unruly, they might be killed. I remember one Mexican
1:55:02
in the Sierra Madre Mountains who saw us moving and delayed us for some time.
1:55:08
We took the trouble to get him, thinking the plunder of his house
1:55:12
would pay us for the delay, But after we had killed him, we
1:55:15
found nothing in his house worth having. We ranged in these mountains for over
1:55:19
a year, raiding the Mexican settlements for our supplies, but not having any
1:55:26
general engagement with Mexican troops. Then we returned to our homes in Arizona.
1:55:31
After remaining in Arizona about a year, we returned to Mexico and went into
1:55:36
hiding in the Sierra Madre Mountains. Our camp was near Nakori, and we
1:55:42
had just organized bands of warriors for raiding the country when our scouts discovered Mexican
1:55:46
troops coming toward our camp to attack us. Battle of White Hill. The
1:55:53
chief of the net nay Apaches Hole was with me and commanded one division.
1:55:59
The warriors were all marched toward the troops and met them at a place about
1:56:02
five miles from our camp. We showed ourselves to the soldiers, and they
1:56:08
quickly rode to the top of a hill and dismounted, placing their horses on
1:56:12
the outside for breastworks. It was a round hill, very steep and rocky,
1:56:17
and there was no timber on its sides. There were two companies of
1:56:23
Mexican cavalry, and we had about sixty warriors. We crept up the hill
1:56:28
behind the rocks, and they kept up a constant fire. But I had
1:56:32
cautioned our warriors not to expose themselves to the Mexicans. I knew that the
1:56:39
troopers would waste their ammunition soon. We had killed all their horses, but
1:56:44
the soldiers would lie behind these and shoot at us. While we had killed
1:56:48
several Mexicans, we had not yet lost a man. However, it was
1:56:54
impossible to get very close to them in this way, and I deemed it
1:56:58
best to leave a charge again against them. We had been fighting ever since
1:57:02
about one o'clock and about the middle of the afternoon, seeing that we were
1:57:06
making no further progress, I gave the sign for the advance. The war
1:57:13
whoop sounded, and we leaped forward from every stone over the Mexican's dead horses,
1:57:17
fighting hand to hand. The attack was so sudden that the Mexicans,
1:57:23
running first this way and then that, became so confused that in a few
1:57:28
minutes we had killed them all. Then we scalped the slain, carried away
1:57:32
our dead, and secured all the arms we needed. That night we moved
1:57:38
our camp eastward through the Sierra Madre Mountains into Chihuahua. No troops molested us
1:57:44
here, and after about a year we returned to Arizona. Almost every year
1:57:49
we would live a part of the time in Old Mexico. There were at
1:57:54
this time many settlements in Arizona. Game was not plentiful, and besides,
1:57:59
we like to go down into Old Mexico. Besides the lands of the net
1:58:03
Naie Apaches, our friends and kinsmen extended far into Mexico. Their chief Hole
1:58:10
was as a brother to me, and we spent much of our time in
1:58:14
his territory. About eighteen eighty we were in camp in the mountains south of
1:58:18
Casa Grande when a company of Mexican troops attacked us. There were twenty four
1:58:24
Mexican soldiers and about forty Indians. The Mexicans surprised us in camp and fired
1:58:30
on us, killing two Indians the first folley. I do not know how
1:58:34
they were able to find our camp unless they had excellent scouts and our guards
1:58:40
were careless. But there they were shooting at us before we knew they were
1:58:44
near. We were in the timber, and I gave the order to go
1:58:47
forward and fight at close range. We kept behind rocks and trees until we
1:58:53
came within ten yards of their line. Then we stood up and both sides
1:58:58
shot until all the men Mexicans were killed. We lost twelve warriors in this
1:59:02
battle. This place was called by the Indian Scolata. When we had buried
1:59:08
our dead and secured what supplies the Mexicans had, we went northeast at a
1:59:14
place near Nikoi. Mexican troops attacked us. At this place called by the
1:59:18
Indians Nakodae. There were about eighty warriors, but Dooncahey and at nay Apaches
1:59:26
there were three companies of Mexican troops. They attacked us in an open field
1:59:30
and we scattered, firing as we ran. They followed us, but we
1:59:34
dispersed and soon were free from their pursuit. Then we reassembled in the Sierra
1:59:40
Madre mountains. Here a council was held, and as Mexican troops were coming
1:59:45
from many quarters, we disbanded. In about four months, we reassembled at
1:59:50
Casa Grande to make a treaty of peace. The chiefs of the town of
1:59:55
Casa Grande and all of the men of Casa Grande made a treaty with us.
2:00:00
We shook hands and promised to be brothers. Then we began to trade,
2:00:04
and the Mexicans gave us mescal. Soon nearly all the Indians were drunk.
2:00:11
While they were drunk, two companies of Mexican troops from another town attacked
2:00:15
us, killed twenty Indians and captured many more. We fled in all directions
2:00:24
Chapter twelve, Geronimo's Mightiest Battle. After the treachery and massacre of Casagrande,
2:00:31
we did not reassemble for a long while, and when we did we returned
2:00:36
to Arizona. We remained in Arizona for some time, living in San Carlos
2:00:42
reservation at a place now called Geronimo. In eighteen eighty three we went into
2:00:47
Mexico again. We remained in the mountain ranges of Mexico for about fourteen months,
2:00:54
and during this time we had many skirmishes with Mexican troops. In eighteen
2:00:59
eighty four, we returned to Arizona to get other apaches to come with us
2:01:02
into Mexico. The Mexicans were gathering troops in the mountains where we had been
2:01:08
ranging, and their numbers were so much greater than ours that we could not
2:01:13
hope to fight them successfully, and we were tired of being chased about from
2:01:16
place to place. In Arizona, we had troubled with the United States soldiers
2:01:23
explained in next chapter, and returned to Mexico. We had lost about fifteen
2:01:28
warriors in Arizona and had gained no recruits. With our reduced number, we
2:01:34
camped in the mountains north of Arespay Mexican troops were seen by our scouts in
2:01:40
several directions. The United States troops were coming down from the north. We
2:01:45
were well armed with guns and supplied with ammunition, but we did not care
2:01:49
to be surrounded by the troops of two governments. So we started to move
2:01:55
our camp southward. One night, we made camp some distance the mountains by
2:02:00
a stream. There was not much water in the stream, but a deep
2:02:04
channel was worn through the prairie, and small trees were beginning to grow here
2:02:09
and there along the bank of this stream. In those days, we never
2:02:14
camped without placing scouts, for we knew that we were liable to be attacked
2:02:17
at any time. The next morning, just at daybreak, our scouts came
2:02:23
in, aroused the camp, and notified us that Mexican troops were approaching.
2:02:29
Within five minutes, the Mexicans began firing on us. We took to the
2:02:33
ditches made by the stream and had the women and children busy digging these deeper.
2:02:40
I gave strict orders to waste no ammunition and keep under cover. We
2:02:45
killed many Mexicans that day, and in turn lost heavily. For the fight
2:02:50
lasted all day. Frequently troops would charge at one point, be repulsed,
2:02:57
then rally and charge at another point. About noon, we began to hear
2:03:01
them speaking my name with curses. In the afternoon, the general came on
2:03:06
the field and the fighting became more furious. I gave orders to my warriors
2:03:13
to try to kill all the Mexican officers. About three o'clock, the General
2:03:17
called all the officers together at the right side of the field. The place
2:03:23
where they assembled was not very far from the main stream, and a little
2:03:28
ditch ran out close to where the officers stood. Cautiously, I crawled out
2:03:32
this ditch, very close to where the council was being held. The General
2:03:36
was an old warrior. The wind was blowing in my direction so that I
2:03:42
could hear all he said, and I understood most of it. This is
2:03:46
about what he told them officers. Yonder in those ditches is the red devil
2:03:51
Geronimo and his hated band. This must be his last day. Right on
2:03:58
him from both sides of the day. Witches kill men, women and children.
2:04:02
Take no prisoners. Dead Indians are what we want. Do not spare
2:04:06
your own men. Exterminate this band at any cost. I will post the
2:04:12
wounded to shoot all deserters. Go back to your companies and advance. Just
2:04:18
as the command to go forward was given, I took deliberate aim at the
2:04:23
General and he fell in an instant. The ground around me was riddled with
2:04:29
bullets, but I was untouched. The apaches had seen from all along the
2:04:35
ditches arose the fierce war cry of my people. The columns wavered an instant
2:04:41
and then swept on. They did not retreat until our fire had destroyed the
2:04:45
front ranks. After this their fighting was not so fierce. Yet they continued
2:04:51
to rally and readvance until dark. They also continued to speak my name with
2:04:58
threats and curses. That night, before the firing had ceased, a dozen
2:05:02
Indians had crawled out of the ditches and set fire to the long prairie grass
2:05:08
behind the Mexican troops. During the confusion that followed, we escaped to the
2:05:13
mountains. This was the last battle that I ever fought with Mexicans. United
2:05:19
States troops were trailing us continually from this time until the treaty was made with
2:05:25
General Miles in Skeleton Canyon. During my many wars with the Mexicans, I
2:05:30
received eight wounds as follows. Shot in the right leg above the knee and
2:05:36
still carry the bullet shot through the left forearm. Wounded in the right leg
2:05:43
below the knee with a saber. Wounded on top of the head with the
2:05:46
butt of a musket shot just below the outer corner of the left eye,
2:05:51
shot in the left side, shot in the back. I have killed many
2:05:57
Mexicans. I do not know how many for free. I did not count
2:06:00
them. Some of them were not worth counting. It has been a long
2:06:04
time since then, but still I have no love for the Mexicans with me.
2:06:10
They were always treacherous and malicious. I am old now and shall never
2:06:15
go on the war path again. But if I were young and followed the
2:06:20
war path, it would lead into Old Mexico. Part three, The White
2:06:29
Men, Chapter thirteen, Coming of the white Men. About the time of
2:06:34
the massacre of Kaskilla eighteen fifty eight, we heard that some white men were
2:06:41
measuring land to the south of us. In company with a number of other
2:06:45
warriors. I went to visit them. We could not understand them very well,
2:06:49
for we had no interpreter, but we made a treaty with them by
2:06:54
shaking hands and promising to be brothers. Then we made our camp near the
2:07:00
camp, and they came to trade with us. We gave them buckskin,
2:07:03
blankets, and ponies in exchange for shirts and provisions. We also brought them
2:07:10
game, for which they gave us some money. We did not know the
2:07:13
value of this money, but we kept it and later learned from the Navajo
2:07:17
Indians that it was very valuable. Every day they measured land with curious instruments
2:07:24
and put down marks which we could not understand. They were good men,
2:07:29
and we were sorry when they had gone on into the west. They were
2:07:32
not soldiers. These were the first white men I ever saw. About ten
2:07:38
years later some more white men came. These were all warriors. They made
2:07:43
their camp on the Hiela River south of Hot Springs. At first they were
2:07:47
friendly and we did not dislike them, but they were not as good as
2:07:51
those who came first. After about a year, some trouble arose between them
2:07:57
and the Indians, and I took them Warpath as a warrior, not as
2:08:01
a chief. I had not been wronged, but some of my people had
2:08:05
been, and I fought with my tribe for the soldiers and not the Indians
2:08:11
were at fault. Not long after this, some of the officers of the
2:08:16
United States troops invited our leaders to hold a conference at Apache Pass, Fort
2:08:22
Bowie. Just before noon, the Indians were shown into a tent and told
2:08:28
that they would be given something to eat. When in the tent they were
2:08:31
attacked by soldiers. Our chief Mangus Colorado and several other warriors by cutting through
2:08:39
the tent, escaped, but most of the warriors were killed or captured.
2:08:43
Among the badonkahey Apaches killed at this time were sansa Qua, Detache, Nicokahe,
2:08:50
and Gopi. After this treachery, the Indians went back to the mountains
2:08:54
and left the fort entirely alone. I do not think that the agent had
2:09:00
anything to do with planning this, for he had always treated us well.
2:09:05
I believe it was entirely planned by the soldiers from the very first. The
2:09:11
soldiers sent out to our western country, and the officers in charge of them
2:09:16
did not hesitate to wrong the Indians. They never explained to the government when
2:09:20
an Indian was wronged, but always reported the misdeeds of the Indians. Much
2:09:26
that was done by mean white men was reported at Washington as the deeds of
2:09:31
my people. The Indians always tried to live peaceably with the white soldiers and
2:09:37
settlers. One day, during the time that the soldiers were stationed at Apache
2:09:41
Pass, I made a treaty with the post. This was done by shaking
2:09:46
hands and promising to be brothers. Cochise and Mangus Colorado did likewise, I
2:09:52
do not know the name of the officer in command, but this was the
2:09:56
first regiment that ever came to Apache Pass. This treaty was made about a
2:10:01
year before we were attacked in a tent as above related. In a few
2:10:05
days after the attack at Apache Pass, we organized in the mountains and returned
2:10:11
to fight the soldiers. There were two tribes, the Badankahey and the chaconan
2:10:16
Apaches, both commanded by Cochise. After a few days skirmishing, we attacked
2:10:22
a freight train that was coming in with supplies for the fort. We killed
2:10:26
some of the men and captured the others. These prisoners, our chief offered
2:10:31
to trade for the Indians whom the soldiers had captured at the massacre in the
2:10:37
tent. This the officers refused, so we killed our prisoners, disbanded,
2:10:43
and went into hiding in the mountains. Of those who took part in this
2:10:46
affair, I am the only one now living. In a few days,
2:10:52
troops were sent out to search for us, but as we were disbanded,
2:10:56
it was of course impossible for them to locate any style camp. During the
2:11:01
time they were searching for us, many of our warriors, who were thought
2:11:05
by the soldiers to be peaceable. Indians talked to the officers and men,
2:11:11
advising them where they might find the camp they sought, And while they searched,
2:11:16
we watched them from our hiding places and laughed at their failures. After
2:11:22
this trouble, all of the Indians agreed not to be friendly with the white
2:11:26
men anymore. There was no general engagement, but a long struggle followed.
2:11:33
Sometimes we attacked the white men, sometimes they attacked us. First a few
2:11:37
Indians would be killed, and then a few soldiers. I think the killing
2:11:41
was about equal on each side. The number killed in these troubles did not
2:11:46
amount to much, but this treachery on the part of the soldiers had angered
2:11:52
the Indians and revived memories of other wrongs, so that we never again trusted
2:11:58
the United States troops. End of Part one of the White Men, Section
2:12:05
six, Part two of the White Men, Chapter fourteen. Greatest of wrongs,
2:12:13
perhaps the greatest wrong ever done to the Indians, was the treatment received
2:12:16
by our tribe from the United States troops. About eighteen sixty three, the
2:12:22
chief of our tribe, Mangus, Colorado, went to make a treaty of
2:12:26
peace for our people with the White settlement at Apache Tejo, New Mexico.
2:12:33
It had been reported to us that the white men in this settlement were more
2:12:35
friendly and more reliable than those in Arizona, that they would live up to
2:12:41
their treaties and would not wrong the Indians. Mangus Colorado with three other warriors
2:12:48
went to Apache Tejo and held a council with these citizens and soldiers. They
2:12:52
told him that if he would come with his tribe and live near them,
2:12:56
they would issue to him from the govern blankets, flower provisions, beef,
2:13:03
and all manner of supplies. Our chief promised to return to apache Tejo within
2:13:09
two weeks. When he came back to our settlement, he assembled the whole
2:13:13
tribe in council. I did not believe that the people at apache Tejo would
2:13:18
do as they said, and therefore I opposed the plan. But it was
2:13:24
decided that with part of the tribe, Mangus Colorado should return to apache Tejo
2:13:30
and receive an issue of rations and supplies. If they were as represented,
2:13:35
and if these white men would keep the treaty faithfully, the remainder of the
2:13:41
tribe would join him, and we would make our permanent home at Apache Caho.
2:13:46
I was to remain in charge of that portion of the tribe which stayed
2:13:50
in Arizona. We gave almost all of our arms and ammunition to the party
2:13:56
going to Apache Teho, so that in case there should be treachery, they
2:14:01
would be prepared for any surprise. Mangus Colorado and about half of our people
2:14:07
went to New Mexico, happy that now they had found white men who would
2:14:11
be kind to them and with whom they could live in peace and plenty.
2:14:16
No word ever came to us from them. From other sources, however,
2:14:20
we heard that they had been treacherously captured and slain. In this dilemma,
2:14:26
we did not know just exactly what to do, but fearing that the troops
2:14:30
who had captured them would attack us, we retreated into the mountains near Apache
2:14:35
Pass. During the weeks that followed the departure of our people, we had
2:14:39
been in suspense and failing to provide more supplies, had exhausted all of our
2:14:46
store of provisions. This was another reason for moving camp on this retreat.
2:14:50
While passing through the mountains, we discovered four men with a herd of cattle.
2:14:56
Two of the men were in front in a buggy and two were behind
2:15:00
on horseback. We killed all four, but did not scout them. They
2:15:05
were not warriors. We drove the cattle back into the mountains, made a
2:15:09
camp, and began to kill the cattle and pack the meat. Before we
2:15:15
had finished this work, we were surprised and attacked by United States troops,
2:15:20
who killed in all seven Indians, one warrior, three women, and three
2:15:24
children. The government troops were mounted, and so were we, but we
2:15:30
were poorly armed, having given most of our weapons to the division of our
2:15:33
tribe that had gone to Apache Tejo, so we fought mainly with spears,
2:15:39
bows and arrows. At first I had a spear, a bow, and
2:15:43
a few arrows, but in a short time my spear and all my arrows
2:15:48
were gone. Once I was surrounded, but by dodging from side to side
2:15:52
of my horse as he ran, I escaped. It was necessary during this
2:15:58
fight for many of the war warriors to leave their horses and escape on foot,
2:16:03
but my horse was trained to come at call, and as soon as
2:16:07
I reached a safe place, if not too closely pursued, I would call
2:16:11
him to me. During this fight, we scattered in all directions, and
2:16:16
two days later reassembled at our appointed place. Of rendezvous, about fifty miles
2:16:22
from the scene of this battle. About ten days later, the same United
2:16:26
States troops attacked our new camp at sunrise. The fight lasted all day,
2:16:31
but our arrows and spears were all gone before ten o'clock, and for the
2:16:37
remainder of the day we had only rocks and clubs with which to fight.
2:16:41
We could do little damage with these weapons, and at night we moved our
2:16:46
camp about four miles back into the mountains, where it would be hard for
2:16:50
the cavalry to follow us. The next day, our scouts, who had
2:16:54
been left behind to observe the movements of the soldiers, returned saying that troops
2:17:00
had gone back towards San Carlos Reservation. A few days after this, we
2:17:05
were again attacked by another company of United States troops. Just before this fight,
2:17:11
we had been joined by a band of Chaconan Indians under cochief, who
2:17:15
took command of both divisions. We were repulsed and decided to disband. After
2:17:20
we had disbanded our tribe, the badonkahey Apaches reassembled near their old camp,
2:17:26
vainly waiting for the return of Mangus Colorado and our kinsmen. No tidings came
2:17:33
save that they had all been treacherously slain. Then a council was held,
2:17:37
and as it was believed that Mangus Colorado was dead, I was elected tribal
2:17:43
chief. For a long time we had no trouble with anyone. It was
2:17:48
more than a year after I had been made tribal chief that United States troops
2:17:54
surprised and attacked our camp. They killed seven children, five women, and
2:17:58
four warriors, captured all our supplies blankets, horses and clothing, and destroyed
2:18:05
our teepees. We had nothing left. Winter was beginning, and it was
2:18:11
the coldest winter I ever knew. After the soldiers withdrew, I took three
2:18:16
warriors and trailed them. Their trail led back towards San Carlos Chapter fifteen removals.
2:18:26
While returning from trailing the government troops, we saw two men, a
2:18:31
Mexican and a white man, and shot them off their horses. With these
2:18:35
two horses, we returned and moved our camp. My people were suffering much,
2:18:39
and it was deemed advisable to go where we could get more provisions.
2:18:43
Game was scarce in our range then, and since I had been tribal chief,
2:18:48
I had not asked for rations from the government, nor did I care
2:18:52
to do so, but we did not wish to starve. We had heard
2:18:58
that Chief Victoria of the Cecheni o Jocaliente Apaches was holding a council with the
2:19:03
white men near Hot Springs in New Mexico, and that he had plenty of
2:19:09
provisions. We had always been on friendly terms with this tribe, and Victoria
2:19:13
was especially kind to my people. With the help of the two horses we
2:19:18
had captured to carry our sick with us, we went to Hot Springs.
2:19:22
We easily found Victoria and his band, and they gave us supplies for the
2:19:28
winter. We stayed with them for about a year, and during this stay
2:19:33
we had perfect peace. We had not the least trouble with Mexicans, white
2:19:37
men, or Indians. When we had stayed as long as we should and
2:19:43
had again accumulated some supplies, we decided to leave Victoria's band. When I
2:19:48
told him that we were going to leave, he said that we should have
2:19:52
a feast and dance before we separated. The festivities were held about two miles
2:19:58
above Hot Spring and lasted for four days. There were about four hundred Indians
2:20:05
at this celebration. I do not think we ever spent a more pleasant time
2:20:09
than upon this occasion. No one ever treated our tribe more kindly than Victoria
2:20:16
and his band. We are still proud to say that he and his people
2:20:20
were our friends. When I went to apache Pass Fort Bowie, I found
2:20:26
General Howard in command and made a treaty with him. This treaty lasted until
2:20:31
long after General Howard had left our country. He always kept his word with
2:20:37
us and treated us as brothers. We never had so good a friend among
2:20:41
the United States officers as General Howard. We could have lived forever at peace
2:20:46
with him. If there is any pure, honest white man in the United
2:20:52
States Army, that man is General Howard. All the Indians respect him,
2:20:58
and even to this day frequently talk of the happy times when General Howard was
2:21:03
in command of our post. After he went away, he placed an agent
2:21:07
at apache Pass who issued to us from the government clothing, rations and supplies.
2:21:13
As General Howard directed. When beef was issued to the Indians, I
2:21:18
got twelve steers for my tribe, and Cochise got twelve steers for his tribe.
2:21:24
Rations were issued about once a month, but if we ran out,
2:21:28
we only had to ask, and we were supplied. Now as prisoners of
2:21:33
war in this reservation, we do not get such good rations. Out on
2:21:39
the prairie. Away from Apache Pass, a man kept a store and saloon.
2:21:43
Some time after General Howard went away. A band of outlawed Indians killed
2:21:48
this man and took away many of the supplies from his store. On the
2:21:54
very next day after this, some Indians at the post were drunk on tiswin,
2:21:58
which they had made from corn. They fought among themselves, and four
2:22:03
of them were killed. There had been quarrels and feuds among them for some
2:22:07
time, and after this trouble, we deemed it impossible to keep the different
2:22:13
bands together in peace. Therefore we separated, each leader taking his own band.
2:22:20
Some of them went to San Carlos and some to Old Mexico. But
2:22:24
I took my tribe back to Hot Springs and rejoined Victoria's band Chapter sixteen in
2:22:33
prison and on the war path. Soon after we arrived in New Mexico,
2:22:37
two companies of scouts were sent from San Carlos. When they came to Hot
2:22:43
Springs, they sent word for me and Victoria to come to town. The
2:22:46
messengers did not say what they wanted with us, but as they seemed friendly.
2:22:52
We thought they wanted a council, and wrote in to meet the officers.
2:22:56
As soon as we arrived in town, soldiers met us, disarmed us,
2:23:01
and took us both to headquarters, where we were tried by court martial.
2:23:07
They asked us only a few questions, and then Victoria was released and
2:23:11
I was sentenced to the guard house. Scouts conducted me to the guard house
2:23:16
and put me in chains. When I asked them why they did this,
2:23:20
they said it was because I had left apache Pass. I do not think
2:23:26
I ever belonged to those soldiers at apache Pass, or that I should have
2:23:31
asked them where I might go. Our bands could no longer live in peace
2:23:37
together, and so we had quietly withdrawn, expecting to live with Victoria's band,
2:23:43
where we thought we would not be molested. They also sentenced seven other
2:23:48
Apaches to chains in the guard house. I do not know why this was
2:23:54
done, for these Indians had simply followed me from apache Pass to Hot Springs.
2:24:00
If it was wrong, and I do not think it was wrong for
2:24:03
us to go to Hot Springs, I alone was to blame. They asked
2:24:07
the soldiers in charge why they were imprisoned and chained but received no answer.
2:24:15
I was kept a prisoner for four months, during which time I was transferred
2:24:18
to San Carlos. Then I think I had another trial, although I was
2:24:24
not present. In fact, I do not know that I had another trial,
2:24:28
but I was told that I had, and at any rate, I
2:24:33
was released. After this, we had no more trouble with the soldiers,
2:24:37
but I never felt at ease any longer. At the post. We were
2:24:41
allowed to live above San Carlos at a place now called Geronimo. A man
2:24:46
whom the Indians called Nick Gulli was agent at this place. All went well
2:24:52
here for a period of two years, but we were not satisfied. In
2:24:58
the summer of eighteen eighty three, a rumor was current that the officers were
2:25:03
again planning to imprison our leaders. This rumor served to revive the memories of
2:25:07
all our past wrongs, the massacre in the tent at Apache Pass, the
2:25:13
fate of Mangus Colorado, and my own unjust imprisonment, which might easily have
2:25:18
been death to me. Just at this time we were told that the officers
2:25:24
wanted us to come up the river above Geronimo to a fort, Fort Thomas,
2:25:30
to hold a council with them. We did not believe that any good
2:25:33
could come of this conference, or that there was any need of it,
2:25:39
so we held a council ourselves, and, fearing treachery, decided to leave
2:25:43
the reservation. We thought it more manly to die on the war path than
2:25:50
to be killed in prison. There were in all about two hundred and fifty
2:25:54
Indians, chiefly the Badonka, Hay and net nay apaches. Led by myself
2:26:00
and Ho we went through Apache Pass and just west of there had a fight
2:26:05
with the United States troops. In this battle we killed three soldiers and lost
2:26:11
none. We went on toward Old Mexico, but on the second day after
2:26:16
this, United States soldiers overtook us about three o'clock in the afternoon, and
2:26:20
we fought until dark. The ground where we were attacked was very rough,
2:26:26
which was to our advantage, for the troops were compelled to dismount in order
2:26:31
to fight us. I do not know how many soldiers we killed, but
2:26:35
we lost only one warrior and three children. We had plenty of guns and
2:26:39
ammunition at this time. Many of the guns and much ammunition we had accumulated
2:26:45
while living in the reservation, and the remainder we had obtained from the White
2:26:50
Mountain Apaches. When we left the reservation, troops did not follow us any
2:26:56
longer, so we went south, almost to Casa Grande and camped in the
2:27:01
sierra the Sahuariba mountains. We ranged in the mountains of Old Mexico for about
2:27:05
a year, then returned to San Carlos, taking with us a herd of
2:27:11
cattle and horses. Soon after we arrived at San Carlos, the officer in
2:27:16
charge, General Cook, took the horses and cattle away from us. I
2:27:22
told him that these were not white men's cattle, but belonged to us,
2:27:26
for we had taken them from the Mexicans during our wars. I also told
2:27:31
him that we did not intend to kill these animals, but that we wished
2:27:35
to keep them and raise stock on our range. He would not listen to
2:27:41
me, but took the stock. I went up near Fort Apache, and
2:27:45
General Cook ordered officers, soldiers, and scouts to see that I was arrested.
2:27:50
If I offered resistance, they were instructed to kill me. This information
2:27:56
was brought to me by the Indians. When I learned of this proposed action,
2:28:01
I left for Old Mexico and about four hundred Indians went with me.
2:28:07
They were the badonkahe Chiconan, and net nay Apaches. At this time,
2:28:11
Holl was dead and Nichi was the only chief with me. We went south
2:28:16
into Sonora and camped in the mountains. Troops followed us, but did not
2:28:20
attack us until we were camped in the mountains west of Casa Grande. Here
2:28:26
we were attacked by government Indian scouts. One boy was killed and nearly all
2:28:31
of our women and children were captured. After this battle, we went south
2:28:37
of Casa Grande and made a camp, but within a few days this camp
2:28:41
was attacked by Mexican soldiers. We skirmished with them all day, killing a
2:28:46
few Mexicans, but sustaining no loss ourselves. That night we went east into
2:28:52
the foothills of the Sierra Madre mountains and made another camp. Mexican troops trailed
2:28:58
us, and after a few days attacked our camp again. This time the
2:29:03
Mexicans had a very large army, and we avoided a general engagement. It
2:29:09
is senseless to fight when you cannot hope to win. That night, we
2:29:13
held a council of war. Our scouts had reported bands of United States and
2:29:18
Mexican troops at many points in the mountains. We estimated that about two thousand
2:29:24
soldiers were ranging these mountains seeking to capture us. General Cook had come down
2:29:30
into Mexico with the United States troops. They were camped in the Sierra de
2:29:35
Atunes Mountains. Scouts told me that General Crook wished to see me, and
2:29:41
I went to his camp. When I arrived, General Cook said to me,
2:29:45
why did you leave the reservation. I said, you told me that
2:29:50
I might live in the reservation the same as white people lived. One year,
2:29:54
I raised a crop of corn and gathered and stored it. And the
2:29:58
next year I put in a crop of oats, And when the crop was
2:30:01
almost ready to harvest, you told your soldiers to put me in prison,
2:30:07
and if I resisted, to kill me. If I had been let alone,
2:30:11
I would now have been in good circumstances. But instead of that,
2:30:16
you and the Mexicans are hunting me with soldiers. He said, I never
2:30:20
gave any such orders. The troops at Fort Apache, who spread this report
2:30:26
knew that it was untrue. Then I agreed to go back with him to
2:30:31
San Carlos. It was hard for me to believe him at that time.
2:30:35
Now I know that what he said was untrue, and I firmly believed that
2:30:41
he did issue the orders for me to be put in prison or to be
2:30:46
killed in case I offered resistance. Chapter seventeen, The Final Struggle. We
2:30:54
started with all our tribe to go with General Crook back to the United States,
2:30:58
but I feared treachery and decided to remain in Mexico. We were not
2:31:05
under any guard at this time. The United States troops marched in front and
2:31:09
the Indians followed, and when we became suspicious, we turned back. I
2:31:15
do not know how far the United States army went after myself, and some
2:31:18
warriors turned back before we were missed, and I do not care. I
2:31:26
have suffered much from such unjust orders as those of General Cook. Such acts
2:31:31
have caused much distress to my people. I think that General Cook's death was
2:31:35
sent by the Almighty as a punishment for the many evil deeds he committed.
2:31:41
Soon, General Miles was made commander of all the western posts, and troops
2:31:46
trailed us continually. They were led by Captain Lawton, who had good scouts.
2:31:52
The Mexican soldiers also became more active and more numerous. We had skirmishes
2:31:58
almost every day, and so we finally decided to break up into small bands.
2:32:05
With six men and four women, I made for the range of mountains
2:32:09
near Hot Springs, New Mexico. We passed many cattle ranches, but had
2:32:13
no trouble with the cowboys. We killed cattle to eat whenever we were in
2:32:18
need of food, but we frequently suffered greatly for water. At one time
2:32:24
we had no water for two days and nights, and our horses almost died
2:32:28
from thirst. We ranged in the mountains of New Mexico for some time,
2:32:33
then, thinking that perhaps the troops had left Mexico, we returned. On
2:32:39
our return through Old Mexico, we attacked every Mexican found, even if for
2:32:45
no other reason than to kill. We believed they had asked the United States
2:32:50
troops to come down to Mexico to fight us. South of Casa Grande,
2:32:56
near a place called by the Indians Gosoda, there was a road leading out
2:33:01
from the town. There was much freighting carried on by the Mexicans over this
2:33:05
road. Where the road ran through a mountain pass, we stayed in hiding,
2:33:11
and whenever Mexican freighters passed, we killed them. Took what supplies we
2:33:15
wanted and destroyed the remainder. We were reckless of our lives because we felt
2:33:22
that every man's hand was against us. If we returned to the reservation,
2:33:26
we would be put in prison and killed. If we stayed in Mexico,
2:33:31
they would continue to send soldiers to fight us. So we gave no quarter
2:33:37
to anyone and asked no favors. End of Section six, Section seven The
2:33:45
White Men, Part three. After some time we left Casoda and soon were
2:33:52
reunited with our tribe in the Sierra de Altunes mountains. Contrary to our expectations,
2:33:58
the United States soldiers had not left the mountains in Mexico and were soon
2:34:03
trailing us and skirmishing with us almost every day. Four or five times they
2:34:09
surprised our camp. One time they surprised us about nine o'clock in the morning
2:34:13
and captured all our horses, nineteen in number, and secured our store of
2:34:20
dried meats. We also lost three Indians in this encounter. About the middle
2:34:24
of the afternoon of the same day, we attacked them from the rear as
2:34:28
they were passing through a prairie, killed one soldier but lost none ourselves.
2:34:35
In this skirmish. We recovered all our horses except three that belonged to me.
2:34:39
The three horses that we did not recover were the best riding horses we
2:34:43
had. Soon after this, we made a treaty with the Mexican troops.
2:34:48
They told us that the United States troops were the real cause of these wars
2:34:52
and agreed not to fight any more with us, provided we would return to
2:34:56
the United States. Agreed to do and resumed our march, expecting to try
2:35:03
to make a treaty with the United States soldiers and return to Arizona. There
2:35:09
seemed to be no other course to pursue. Soon after this, scouts from
2:35:13
Captain Lawton's troops told us that he wished to make a treaty with us.
2:35:18
But I knew that General Miles was the chief of the American troops, and
2:35:22
I decided to treat with him. We continued to move our camp northward,
2:35:28
and the American troops also moved northward, keeping at no great distance from us,
2:35:33
but not attacking us. I sent my brother Porico white Horse with mister
2:35:39
George Rayton on to Fort Boyd to see General Miles and to tell him that
2:35:45
we wished to return to Arizona. But before these messengers returned, I met
2:35:50
two Indian scouts, Cayeta a Chacona Apache and Martine and Nett Nay Apache.
2:35:56
They were serving as scouts for Captain Lawton's Truth. They told me that General
2:36:01
Miles had come and had sent them to ask me to meet him. So
2:36:07
I went to the camp of the United States troops to meet General Miles.
2:36:11
When I arrived at their camp, I went directly to General Miles and told
2:36:16
him how I had been wronged and that I wanted to return to the United
2:36:20
States with my people, as we wished to see our families who had been
2:36:24
captured and taken away from us. General Miles said to me, the President
2:36:30
of the United States has sent me to speak to you. He has heard
2:36:33
of your trouble with the white men and says that if you will agree to
2:36:37
a few words of treaty, we need have no more trouble. Geronimo.
2:36:43
If you will agree to a few words of treaty, all will be satisfactorily
2:36:48
arranged. So General Miles told me how we could be brothers to each other.
2:36:54
We raised our hands to heaven and said that the treaty was not to
2:36:58
be broken. We took an oath not to do any wrong to each other
2:37:01
or to scheme against each other. Then he talked with me for a long
2:37:07
time and told me what he would do for me in the future if I
2:37:11
would agree to the treaty. I did not greatly believe General Miles, but
2:37:16
because the President of the United States had sent me word, I agreed to
2:37:22
make the treaty and to keep it. Then I asked General Miles what the
2:37:26
treaty would be. General Miles said to me, I will take you under
2:37:31
government protection. I will build you a house. I will fetch you much
2:37:35
land. I will give you cattle, horses, mules, and farming implements.
2:37:41
You will be furnished with men to work the farm for you. Yourself
2:37:46
will not have to work in the fall. I will send you blankets and
2:37:50
clothing so that you will not suffer from cold in the winter time. There
2:37:56
is plenty of timber, water and grass in the land to which I will
2:38:00
send you. You will live with your tribe and with your family. If
2:38:05
you agree to this treaty, you shall see your family within five days.
2:38:09
I said to General Miles. All the officers that had been in charge of
2:38:13
the Indians have talked that way, and it sounds like a story to me.
2:38:18
I hardly believe you, he said, This time it is the truth.
2:38:24
I said, General Miles, I do not know the laws of the
2:38:28
white Man, nor of this new country where you are to send me,
2:38:33
and I might break their laws. He said, while I live, you
2:38:37
will not be arrested. Then I agreed to make the treaty. Since I
2:38:43
have been a prisoner of war, I have been arrested and placed in the
2:38:48
guard house twice for drinking whiskey. We stood between his troopers and my warriors.
2:38:54
We placed a large stone on the blanket before us. Treaty was made
2:39:00
by this stone, and it was to last until the stone should crumble to
2:39:05
dust. So we made the treaty and bound each other with an oath.
2:39:11
I do not believe that I have ever violated that treaty. But General Miles
2:39:16
never fulfilled his promises. When we made the treaty, General Miles said to
2:39:22
me, my brother, you have in your mind how you are going to
2:39:26
kill men and other thoughts of war. I want you to put that out
2:39:31
of your mind and change your thoughts to peace. Then I agreed and gave
2:39:37
up my arms. I said, I will quit the war path and live
2:39:41
at peace hereafter. Then General Miles swept a spot of ground clear with his
2:39:48
hand and said, your past deeds shall be wiped out like this, and
2:39:54
you will start a new life. Chapter eighteen, Surrender of Geronimo. On
2:40:01
February eleventh, eighteen eighty seven, the Senate passed the following resolution resolved that
2:40:09
the Secretary of War be directed to communicate to the Senate all dispatches of General
2:40:15
Miles referring to the surrender of Geronimo, and all instructions given two and correspondence
2:40:22
with General Miles in reference to the same. These papers are published in the
2:40:28
Senate Executive Documents, Second Session, forty ninth Congress, eighteen eighty six,
2:40:33
eighteen eighty seven, Volume two, numbers one hundred and eleven to one hundred
2:40:39
twenty five. For an exhaustive account of the conditions of Geronimo's surrender, the
2:40:45
reader is referred to that document, but this chapter is given to show briefly
2:40:50
the terms of surrender and corroborate, at least in part, the statements made
2:40:56
by Geronimo upon a souit command of the Department of Arizona. General Nelson A.
2:41:03
Miles was directed by the War Department to use most vigorous operations for the
2:41:09
destruction or capture of the hostile Apaches. The following extracts are from instructions issued
2:41:16
April twentieth, eighteen eighty six for the information and guidance of troops serving in
2:41:22
the southern portion of Arizona and New Mexico. The chief object of the troops
2:41:30
will be to capture or destroy any band of hostile Apache Indians found in this
2:41:35
section of country, and to this end, the most vigorous and persistent efforts
2:41:41
will be required of all officers and soldiers until the object is accomplished. A
2:41:48
sufficient number of reliable Indians will be used as auxiliaries to discover any signs of
2:41:54
hostile Indians, and as trailers to avoid any ad vas advantage the Indians may
2:42:01
have by a relay of horses. Where a troop or squadron commander is near
2:42:05
the hostile Indians, he will be justified in dismounting one half of his command
2:42:11
and selecting the lightest and best riders to make pursuit by the most vigorous forced
2:42:18
marches until the strength of all animals of his command shall have been exhausted.
2:42:26
The following telegrams show the efforts of the United States troops and the cooperation of
2:42:31
Mexican troops under Governor Torres, Headquarters Division of the Pacific Presidio of San Francisco,
2:42:39
California, July twenty second, eighteen eighty six, Adjutant General Washington,
2:42:45
d C. The following telegram just received from General Miles. Captain Lawton reports
2:42:52
through Colonel Royal, commanding at Fort Wachuca, that his camp surprised Geronimo's camp
2:42:58
on Yogi River, about one hundred thirty miles south and east of Compas Sonora,
2:43:03
or nearly three hundred miles south of Mexican boundary, capturing all the Indian
2:43:09
property, including hundreds of pounds of dried meat and nineteen riding animals. This
2:43:16
is the fifth time within three months in which the Indians have been surprised by
2:43:20
the troops. While the results have not been decisive yet, it has given
2:43:24
encouragement to the troops and has reduced the numbers and strength of the Indians and
2:43:31
given them a feeling of insecurity even in the remote and almost inaccessible mountains of
2:43:37
Old Mexico. In absence of Division Commander see McKeever, Assistant Adjutant General and
2:43:43
of Dispatch Another Dispatch Headquarters Division of the Pacific Preciity of San Francisco, California,
2:43:52
August nineteenth, eighteen eighty six Adjutant General Washington, d C. Following
2:43:58
received from General Mondeles dated eighteenth, dispatches today from Governor Torres dated Ermosillo,
2:44:05
Sonora, Mexico, from Colonels Forsyth and Beaumont, commanding Wachuca and Bowie Districts,
2:44:11
confirms the following Geronimo with forty Indians is endeavoring to make terms of peace
2:44:18
with Mexican authorities of Fronterra's district. One of our scouts, in returning to
2:44:22
Fort Wachuca from Lawton's command, met him, Niche and thirteen other Indians on
2:44:28
their way to Fronterras. Had a long conversation with them. They said they
2:44:33
wanted to make peace and looked worn and hungry. Geronimo carried his right arm
2:44:39
in a sling bandaged. The splendid work of the troops is evidently having good
2:44:43
effect should hostiles not surrender to the Mexican authorities. Lawton's command is south of
2:44:50
them and Wilder with G and M troops. Fourth cavalry moved south to Fronterras
2:44:56
and will be there by twentieth. Lieutenant Lockett, with an effective command,
2:45:01
will be in good position tomorrow near Guadalupe Canyon in Cajon Bonito Mountains. On
2:45:07
the eleventh, I had a very satisfactory interview with Governor Torres. The Mexican
2:45:11
officials are acting in concert with ours. O. O. Howard, Major
2:45:16
General. End of despatch. General O. O. Howard telegraphed from Presidio
2:45:22
San Francisco, California, September twenty fourth, eighteen eighty six. As follows.
2:45:28
The sixth of September, General Miles reports, the hostile apaches made overtures
2:45:33
of surrender through Lieutenant Gatewood to Captain Lawton. They desired certain terms and sent
2:45:39
two messengers to Me Miles. They were informed that they must surrender as prisoners
2:45:46
of war to troops in the field. They promised to surrender to me in
2:45:50
person, and for eleven days Captain Lawton's command moved north Geronimo and Nichi,
2:45:58
moving parallel and frequently camping near it. At Skeleton Canyon. They halted,
2:46:03
saying that they desired to see Me Miles before surrendering. End of telegram after
2:46:11
myles arrival, he reports as follows. Geronimo came from his mountain camp amid
2:46:18
the rocks and said he was willing to surrender. He was told that they
2:46:22
could surrender as prisoners of war, that it was not the way of officers
2:46:26
of the army to kill their enemies who laid down their arms. Knichi was
2:46:31
wild and suspicious, and evidently feared treachery. He knew that the once noted
2:46:37
leader Mangus Colorado had years ago been foully murdered after he had surrendered, and
2:46:43
the last hereditary chief of the hostile apaches hesitated to place himself in the hands
2:46:48
of the palefaces. Continuing his report, General Howard says I believed at first
2:46:54
from official reports that the surrender was unconditional, except that the troops themselves would
2:47:01
not kill the hostiles. Now, from General Miles's dispatches and from his annual
2:47:07
report, forwarded on the twenty first instant by mail, the conditions are plain.
2:47:13
First that the lives of all the Indians should be spared. Second,
2:47:16
that they should be sent to Fort Marion, Florida, where their tribe,
2:47:20
including their families, had already been ordered. D. S. Stanley,
2:47:26
Brigadier General, Telegraphs from San Antonio, Texas, October twenty second, eighteen
2:47:33
eighty six. As follows, Geronimo and Nigie requested an interview with me when
2:47:39
they first ascertained that they were to leave here, and in talking to them,
2:47:43
I told them the exact disposition that was to be made of them.
2:47:48
They regarded the separation of themselves from their families as a violation of the terms
2:47:52
of their treaty of surrender, by which they had been guaranteed in the most
2:47:58
positive manner, conceivable to their minds that they should be united with their families
2:48:03
at Fort Marion. They were present at the talk they had with me.
2:48:07
Major J. P. Wright, Surgeon, United States Army, Captain J.
2:48:11
G. Ballance, Acting Judge Advocate, United States Army, George Rayton,
2:48:16
the interpreter knightche and Geronimo. The Indians were separated from their families at
2:48:22
this place. The women, children and the two Scouts were placed in a
2:48:26
separate car before they left. In an interview with me, they stated the
2:48:31
following incident, which they regard as an essential part of their treaty of surrender,
2:48:37
and which took place at Skeleton Canyon, before they had as a band
2:48:41
made up their minds to surrender, and before any of them, except perhaps
2:48:46
Geronimo, had given up their arms, and when they were still fully able
2:48:52
to escape and defend themselves, General Miles said to them, you go with
2:48:56
me to Fort Bowie, and at a time you will go to see your
2:49:01
relatives in Florida. After they went to Fort Boie, he reassured them that
2:49:05
they would see their relatives in Florida in four and a half or five days.
2:49:11
While at Skeleton Canyon, General Miles said to them, I have come
2:49:16
to have a talk with you. The conversation was interpreted from English into Spanish
2:49:22
and from Spanish into Apache and vice versa. The interpreting from English into Spanish
2:49:28
was done by a man by the name of Nelson. The interpreting from Spanish
2:49:31
into Apache was done by Jose Maria Yasques. Jose Maria Montoya was also present,
2:49:39
but he did not do any of the interpreting. Doctor Wood, United
2:49:43
States Army and Lieutenant Clay tenth Infantry were present. General Miles drew a line
2:49:50
on the ground and said this represents the ocean, and putting a small rock
2:49:56
beside the line, he said, this represents the place which Chihuahua is with
2:50:01
his band. He then picked up another stone and placed it a short distance
2:50:05
from the first, and said, this represents you Geronimo. He then picked
2:50:11
up a third stone and placed it a little distance from the others, and
2:50:15
said, this represents the Indians at Camp Apache. The President wants to take
2:50:20
you and put you with Chihuahua. He then picked up the stone which represented
2:50:26
Geronimo and his band and put it beside the one which represented Chihuahua at Fort
2:50:31
Marion. After doing this, he picked up the stone which represented the Indians
2:50:35
at Camp Apache and placed it beside the other two stones which represented Geronimo and
2:50:43
Chihuahua at Fort Marion, and said, that is what the President wants to
2:50:48
do, get all of you together. After their arrival at Fort Boy,
2:50:52
General Miles said to them, from now on, we want to begin a
2:50:56
new life. And holding up one of his hands with the palm open and
2:51:01
horizontal, he marked lines across it with the finger of the other hand and
2:51:07
said, pointing to his open palm, this represents the past. It is
2:51:11
all covered with hollows and ridges. Then, rubbing his other palm over it,
2:51:18
he said that represents the wiping out of the past, which will be
2:51:22
considered smooth and forgotten. The interpreter Rayton says that he was present and heard
2:51:28
this conversation. The Indians say that Captain Thompson, fourth Cavalry was also present.
2:51:33
Knights. She said that Captain Thompson, who was the acting Assistant Adjutant
2:51:39
General Department of Arizona, told him at his house in Fort Bowie, don't
2:51:43
be afraid, no harm shall come to you. You will go to your
2:51:46
friends, all right. He also told them that Fort Marion is not a
2:51:52
very large place and is not probably large enough for all, and that probably
2:51:56
in six months or so you will be put in a larger place where you
2:52:00
can do better. He told them the same thing when they took their departure
2:52:05
in the cars from Fort Bowie. The idea that they had of the treaty
2:52:09
of surrender given in this letter is forwarded at their desire, and while not
2:52:13
desiring to comment on the matter, I feel compelled to say that my knowledge
2:52:18
of the Indian character, and the experience I have had with Indians of all
2:52:22
kinds, and the corroborating circumstances and facts that have been brought to my notice
2:52:28
in this particular case, convince me that the foregoing statement of Nige and Geronimo
2:52:33
is substantially correct. Extract from the Annual Report eighteen eighty six of the Division
2:52:43
of the Pacific, commanded by Major General O. O. Howard U.
2:52:46
S. Army, Headquarters, Division of the Pacific, Presidio of San Francisco,
2:52:52
California, September seventeenth, eighteen eighty six. Adjutant General U. S.
2:52:58
Army, Washington, d C. General, I have the honor to
2:53:03
submit the following report upon military operations and conditions of the Division of the Pacific,
2:53:09
for the information of the Lieutenant General and to make some suggestions for his
2:53:13
consideration. On the seventeenth of May eighteen eighty five, a party of about
2:53:20
fifty of the Chirakawa prisoners, headed by Geronimo Knigi and other chiefs, escaped
2:53:26
from the White Mountain Reserve in Arizona and entered upon a career of murder and
2:53:31
robbery unparalleled in the history of Indian raids. Since then, and up to
2:53:37
the time of my assuming command of this division, they had been pursued by
2:53:41
troops with varying success. After the assassination of Captain Crawford on January eleventh by
2:53:48
the Mexicans. The hostiles asked for a quote's talk and finally had a conference
2:53:56
on March twenty fifth, twenty sixth, and twenty seventh with General Crook and
2:54:01
the Canyon of Los Embudos, twenty five miles south of San Bernardino, Mexico,
2:54:07
on which date it was arranged that they should be conducted by Lieutenant Manus
2:54:11
with his battalion of Scouts to Fort Bowie, Arizona. The march commenced on
2:54:18
the morning of March twenty eighth and proceeded until the night of the twenty ninth,
2:54:22
when, becoming excited with fears of possible punishment, Geronimo and Niche,
2:54:28
with twenty men, fourteen women, and two boys, stampeded to the hills.
2:54:33
Lieutenant Manus immediately pursued, but without success. Simultaneously, with my taking
2:54:41
command of the division, Brigadier General Crook was relieved by Brigadier General Miles,
2:54:46
who at once set out to complete the task commenced by his predecessor. Geronimo
2:54:52
and his band were committing depredations, now in the United States and now in
2:54:58
Mexico, and being separated into small parties easily eluded the troops and carried on
2:55:03
their work of murder and outrage. Early in May, General Miles organized the
2:55:09
hostile field of operations into districts, each with its command of troops, with
2:55:15
specific instructions to guard the water holes, to cover the entire ground by scouting
2:55:20
parties, and give the hostiles no rest. An effective command under Captain Lawton,
2:55:28
fourth Cavalry was organized for a long pursuit. On May third, Captain
2:55:33
label tenth Cavalry had a fight with Geronimo's band twelve miles southwest of Santa Cruz
2:55:39
in Mexico, with a loss of one soldier killed and one wounded. After
2:55:43
this fight, the Indians retreated southward, followed by three troops of cavalry.
2:55:50
On May twelfth, a serious fight of Mexican troops with the hostiles near Plancho's,
2:55:54
Mexico resulted in a partial defeat of the Mexicans. On May fifteenth,
2:56:01
Captain Hatfield's command engaged Geronimo's band in the Corona Mountains, suffering a loss of
2:56:05
two killed and three wounded and the loss of several horses and mules, the
2:56:11
Indians losing several killed. On May sixteenth, Lieutenant Brown, fourth Cavalry struck
2:56:18
the hostiles near Buena Vista, Mexico, capturing several horses, rifles, and
2:56:22
a quantity of ammunition. The usual series of outrages with fatiguing chase by troops
2:56:30
continued until June twenty first, when the Mexicans engaged the hostiles about forty miles
2:56:35
southeast of Magdalena, Mexico, and after a stubborn fight, repulsed them.
2:56:41
About the middle of August, Geronimo and his band were so reduced and harassed
2:56:46
by the tireless pursuit of the soldiers that they made offer of surrender to the
2:56:52
Mexicans, but without coming to terms. Their locality, thus being definitely known,
2:56:58
disposition of the troops was rapidly made to act in conjunction with the Mexicans
2:57:03
to intercept Geronimo and force his surrender. On August twenty fifth, Geronimo,
2:57:09
when near Fronteras, Mexico, recognizing that he was pretty well surrounded and being
2:57:16
out of ammunition and food, made overtures of capitulation through Lieutenant Gatewood, sixth
2:57:22
Cavalry to Captain Lawton. He desired certain terms, but was informed that a
2:57:28
surrender as prisoner of war was all that would be accepted. The Indians then
2:57:33
proceeded to the vicinity of Captain Lawton's command near Skeleton Canyon, and sent word
2:57:39
that they wished to see General Miles. On September third, General Miles arrived
2:57:43
at Lawton's camp, and on September fourth, Knichi, the son of Cochise
2:57:48
and the hereditary chief of the Apaches, with Geronimo, surrendered all the hostiles,
2:57:54
with the understanding it seems that they should be sent out of Arizona.
2:58:00
I am not informed of the exact nature of this surrender at first deemed unconditional.
2:58:05
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant. O.
2:58:09
O. Howard, Major General, United States Army, and of report statement
2:58:16
of W. T. Melton and Darko, Oklahoma. From eighteen eighty two
2:58:22
to eighteen eighty seven I lived in southern Arizona and was employed by the San
2:58:28
Simone Cattle Company. In eighteen eighty six, I was stationed in Skeleton Canyon,
2:58:33
about ten miles north of the boundary line between Arizona and Old Mexico with
2:58:37
J. D. Pruitt. It was our duty to ride the line south
2:58:41
of our range and keep the cattle of the company from straying into Old Mexico.
2:58:46
One afternoon, when returning from our ride, we discovered an Indian trail
2:58:52
leading toward our camp. We rode hurriedly out of the hills into a broad
2:58:56
valley so that we could better discover any attacking parties of Apaches, and,
2:59:01
if assailed, have at least a fighting chance for our lives. We knew
2:59:07
the Apaches under Geronimo were on the war path, but they were far down
2:59:11
in Old Mexico. However, our knowledge of the Indians led us to expect
2:59:15
anything at any time, to always be ready for the worst. When we
2:59:20
reached the valley, we struck a cavalry trail also headed for our camp.
2:59:24
This was perplexing, for neither the Indians nor the soldiers seemed to have been
2:59:30
riding fast, and both trails led toward our camp in Skeleton Canyon. This
2:59:35
canyon was a natural route from Old Mexico to Arizona, and almost all bands
2:59:41
of Indians, as well as detachments of United States troops passed and repassed through
2:59:46
this valley when going to Old Mexico or returning therefrom but never before had two
2:59:52
hostile bands passed through here at the same time and traveling in the same direction,
3:00:00
except when one fled and the other pursued. What this could mean was
3:00:03
a mystery to us. Could it be that the troops had not seen the
3:00:07
Indians? Were the Redskins trying to head the troops off and attack them in
3:00:13
their camp? Were the troops hunting for those Indians? Could this be Lawton's
3:00:18
command? Could that be Geronimo's band? No, it was impossible. Then
3:00:24
Who were these troops and what Indians were those? Cautiously we rode to our
3:00:28
camp and nailed on the door of our cabin. Was this notice be careful?
3:00:35
Geronimo is nearby and has not yet surrendered Captain Lawton. Then we understood
3:00:41
a short distance above our cabin we found the camp of the troops, and
3:00:46
we had just finished talking with Captain Lawton, who advised us to remain in
3:00:50
his camp rather than risk stain alone in our cabin, when up rode the
3:00:54
Chief Geronimo. He was mounted on a blaze faced, white stalking dun horse.
3:01:01
He came directly to Captain Lawton, and through an interpreter, asked who
3:01:05
we were and what we wanted. As soon as the explanation was given,
3:01:09
he nodded his approval and rode away. Pruitt and I rode away with him.
3:01:16
We were well armed and well mounted, and Geronimo was well mounted,
3:01:20
but so far as we could see, unarmed. I tried to talk with
3:01:24
the chief in English, but could not make him understand. Prwitt wanted to
3:01:28
shoot him, and said he could easily kill him the first shot, but
3:01:33
I objected and succeeded in restraining him. While we were arguing, the Chief
3:01:37
rode silently between us, evidently feeling perfectly secure. All this time we had
3:01:43
been riding in the direction of our horses that were grazing in the valley about
3:01:48
a mile distant from our corral. When we came to a place about a
3:01:52
half mile from Lawton's camp, where a spur of the mountain ran far out
3:01:56
into the valley. Geronimo turned aside, saluted, said in fairly good Spanish,
3:02:01
Ario senoris, and began to ascend a mountain path. Later we learned
3:02:07
that he was going directly toward his camp, far up among the rocks.
3:02:11
We rode on, drove our horses back to the corral, and remained in
3:02:15
our cabin all night, but were not molested by the Indians. The next
3:02:20
day we killed three beaves for the Indians, and they were paid for by
3:02:24
Captain Lawton. On the second day, two mounted Mexican scouts came to Lawton's
3:02:28
camp. As soon as these Mexicans came in sight, the Indians seized their
3:02:33
arms and vanished as it were among the rocks. Captain Lawton wrote an account
3:02:39
of conditions and delivered it to the Mexicans, who withdrew. After they had
3:02:43
gone and their mission had been explained to Geronimo, the Indians again returned to
3:02:48
their camp and laid down their arms. On the next day, Wood reached
3:02:52
camp that General Miles was approaching, and the Indians again armed and disappeared among
3:02:58
the rocks. Many of the Apache squaws had field glasses and were stationed every
3:03:03
day on prominent mountain peaks to keep a lookout. No one could approach their
3:03:09
camp or Lawton's camp without being discovered by these spies. Soon after General Miles
3:03:15
joined Lawton's command, Geronimo rode into camp, unarmed and dismounting. Approached General
3:03:22
Miles, shook hands with him, and then stood proudly before the officers waiting
3:03:26
for General Miles to begin conversation with him. The interpreter said to Geronimo,
3:03:33
General Miles, is your friend. Geronimo said, I never saw him,
3:03:37
but I have been in need of friends. Why has he not been with
3:03:41
me? When this answer was interpreted, everybody laughed. After this, there
3:03:46
was no more formality, and without delay, the discussion of the treaty was
3:03:50
begun. All I remembered distinctly of the treaty is that Geronimo and his band
3:03:56
were not to be killed, but they were to be taken to their family.
3:04:00
I remember this more distinctly because the Indians were so much pleased with this
3:04:05
particular one of the terms of the treaty. Geronimo, Knigi and a few
3:04:09
others went on ahead with General Miles, but the main band of Indians left
3:04:15
under the escort of Lawton's troops. The night before they left, a young
3:04:18
squaw, daughter in law of Geronimo, gave birth to a child. The
3:04:24
next morning, the husband Geronimo's son carried the child, but the mother mounted
3:04:28
her pony unaided and rode away unassisted a prisoner of war under military escort.
3:04:35
On the afternoon of the day of the treaty, Captain Lawton built a monument
3:04:41
about ten feet across and six feet high of rough stones on the spot where
3:04:46
the treaty was made. The next year, some cowboys on a round up
3:04:50
camped at the place and tore down the monument to see what was in it.
3:04:54
All they found was a bottle containing a piece of paper upon which was
3:04:58
written the names of the officers who were with Lawton. After the Indians left,
3:05:05
we found one hundred and fifty dollars and twenty five cents in Mexican money
3:05:09
hidden in a rat's nest near where the Indians had camped. About ten o'clock
3:05:15
in the morning, after the Apaches and soldiers had gone away, twenty Pimos
3:05:20
Indians, accompanied by one white man, surrounded our camp and demanded to know
3:05:24
of Geronimo's whereabouts. We told them of the treaty, and they followed the
3:05:30
trail on toward Fort Bowie. That afternoon, thinking all danger from Apaches past,
3:05:35
my partner Pruett, went to ride the lines and I was left in
3:05:39
camp alone. I was pumping water by horse power at the well when I
3:05:45
saw three Indians rounding up our horses about half a mile away. They saw
3:05:50
me, but did not disturb me, nor did I interfere with them.
3:05:54
But as soon as they had driven that bunch of horses northward over the hills
3:05:58
out of sight, I rode quickly off in another direction and drove another bunch
3:06:03
of horses into the corral. The rest of the afternoon I stayed in camp,
3:06:07
but saw no more Indians. The next day we rode over the hill
3:06:13
in the direction these Indians had gone, and found that they had camped not
3:06:16
three miles away. There were evidently several in the party, and they had
3:06:22
kept scouts concealed near the top of the hill to watch me and to shoot
3:06:26
me from ambush had I followed them. This we knew because we saw behind
3:06:31
some rocks at the crest of the hill, in the loose soil, the
3:06:35
imprints left by the bodies of three warriors, where they had been lying down
3:06:39
in concealment. At their camp. We found the head and hoofs of my
3:06:45
favorite horse, Digger, a fine little sorrel pony, and knew that he
3:06:50
had served them for dinner. We followed their trail far into Old Mexico,
3:06:54
but did not overtake them. We had been accustomed to say. It was
3:06:58
Geronimo's bank and whenever any depredation was committed. But this time we were not
3:07:05
so positive. Note by S. M. Barrett. We do not wish
3:07:11
to express our own opinion, but to ask the reader whether, after having
3:07:16
had the testimony of Apaches, soldiers and civilians who knew the conditions of surrender,
3:07:22
and after having examined carefully the testimony offered, it would be possible to
3:07:28
conclude that Geronimo made an unconditional surrender. Before passing from this subject, it
3:07:35
would be well to consider whether our government has treated these prisoners in strict accordance
3:07:41
with the terms of the treaty made in Skeleton Canyon and of Section seven,
3:07:46
Section eight, The White Men, Part four and the Old and the New
3:07:52
Part one, Chapter nineteen. A prisoner of war. When I had given
3:08:00
up to the government, they put me on the Southern Pacific Railroad and took
3:08:03
me to San Antonio, Texas, and held me to be tried by their
3:08:09
laws. In forty days. They took me from there to Fort Pickens,
3:08:13
Pensacola, Florida. Here they put me to sign up large logs. There
3:08:18
were several other Apache warriors with me, and all of us had to work
3:08:22
every day for nearly two years. We were kept at hard labor in this
3:08:26
place, and we did not see our families until May eighteen eighty seven.
3:08:33
This treatment was in direct violation of our treaty made at Skeleton Canyon. After
3:08:39
this, we were sent with our families to Vermont, Alabama, where we
3:08:43
stayed five years and worked for the government. We had no property, and
3:08:50
I looked in vain for General Miles to send me to that land of which
3:08:54
he had spoken. I longed in vain for the implements, house and stock
3:08:58
that Miles had promised me. During this time, one of my warriors fun
3:09:05
killed himself and his wife. Another one shot his wife and then shot himself.
3:09:11
He fell dead, but the woman recovered and is still living. We
3:09:15
were not healthy in this place, for the climate disagreed with us. So
3:09:18
many of our people died that I consented to let one of my wives go
3:09:24
to the Mescalero Agency in New Mexico to live. This separation is, according
3:09:28
to our custom, equivalent to what the white people called divorce, and so
3:09:33
she married again soon after she got to Mescalero. She also kept our two
3:09:37
small children, which she had a right to do. The children Lena and
3:09:43
Robi are still living at Mescalero, New Mexico. Lena is married. I
3:09:48
kept one wife, but she is dead now and I have only our daughter
3:09:52
Eva with me since my separation from Lena's mother, I have never had more
3:09:56
than one wife at a time Since the da of Eva's mother, I married
3:10:01
another woman December nineteen o five, but we could not live happily and separated.
3:10:07
She went home to her people. That is an Apache divorce. Then
3:10:11
as now, mister George Rayton superintended the Indians. He has always had trouble
3:10:18
with the Indians because he has mistreated them. One day, an Indian,
3:10:22
while drunk, stabbed mister Rayton with a little knife. The officer in charge
3:10:28
took the part of mister Rayton and the Indian was sent to prison. When
3:10:33
we first came to Fort Sill in October eighteen ninety four, Captain Scott was
3:10:37
in charge and he had houses built for us by the government. We were
3:10:41
also given from the government cattle, hogs, turkeys and chickens. The Indians
3:10:48
did not do much good with the hogs because they did not understand how to
3:10:52
care for them, and not many Indians, even at the present time keep
3:10:56
hogs. We did better with the turkeys and chickens, but with these we
3:11:01
did not have as good luck as white men do. With the cattle,
3:11:05
we have done very well, indeed, and we like to raise them.
3:11:09
We have a few horses also and have had no bad luck with them.
3:11:13
In the matter of selling our stock and grain, there has been much misunderstanding.
3:11:20
The Indians understood that the cattle were to be sold and the money given
3:11:24
to them, But instead part of the money is given to the Indians,
3:11:28
and part of it is placed in what the officers call the APACHE fund.
3:11:33
We have had five different officers in charge of the Indians here, and they
3:11:37
have all ruled very much alike, not consulting the Apaches or even explaining to
3:11:43
them. It may be that the government ordered the officers in charge to put
3:11:48
this cattle money into an APACHE fund. For once, I complained and told
3:11:54
Lieutenant Purrington that I intended to report to the government that he had taken some
3:11:58
of my part of the cattle money and put it into the APACHE fund.
3:12:03
He said he did not care if I did tell. Several years ago,
3:12:09
the issue of clothing ceased. This too, may have been by the order
3:12:13
of the government. But the Apaches do not understand it. If there is
3:12:18
an Apache fund, it should some day be turned over to the Indians,
3:12:22
or at least they should have an account of it, for it is their
3:12:26
earnings. When General Miles last visited Fort Sill, I asked to be relieved
3:12:31
from labor on account of my age. I also remembered what General Miles had
3:12:37
promised me in the treaty and told him of it. He said, I
3:12:41
need not work any more except when I wished to, and since that time
3:12:46
I have not been detailed to do any work. I have worked a great
3:12:50
deal, however, since then, for although I am old, I like
3:12:54
to work and help my people as much as I am able. The Old
3:13:00
and the New Part one, Chapter twenty, Unwritten Laws of the Apaches Trials.
3:13:07
When an Indian has been wronged by member of his tribe, he may,
3:13:11
if he does not wish to settle the difficulty personally, make complaint to
3:13:16
the chieftain. If he is unable to meet the offending parties in a personal
3:13:20
encounter and disdains to make complaint, anyone may in his stead inform the chief
3:13:26
of this conduct, And then it becomes necessary to have an investigation or trial.
3:13:33
Both the accused and the accuser are entitled to witnesses, and their witnesses
3:13:37
are not interrupted in any way by questions, but simply say what they wish
3:13:43
to say in regard to the matter. The witnesses are not placed under oath
3:13:48
because it is not believed that they will give false testimony in a matter relating
3:13:52
to their own people. The chief of the tribe presides during these trials,
3:13:58
but if if it is a serious offense, he asks two or three leaders
3:14:03
to sit with him. These simply determine whether or not the man is guilty.
3:14:09
If he is not guilty, the matter is ended, and the complaining
3:14:13
party has forfeited his right to take personal vengeance, for if he wishes to
3:14:16
take vengeance himself, he must object to the trial, which would prevent it.
3:14:22
If the accused is found guilty, the injured party fixes the penalty,
3:14:28
which is generally confirmed by the chief and his associates. Adoption of children If
3:14:33
any children are left orphans by the usage of war or otherwise, that is,
3:14:39
if both parents are dead, the chief of the tribe may adopt them
3:14:43
or give them away as he desires. In the case of outlawed Indians,
3:14:48
they may, if they wish, take their children with them, But if
3:14:52
they leave the children with the tribe, the chief decides what will be done
3:14:56
with them. But no disgrace attachm to the children. Salt Lake. We
3:15:03
obtained our salt from a little lake in the Hila mountains. This is a
3:15:07
very small lake of clear, shallow water, and in the center a small
3:15:13
mound arises above the surface of the water. The water is too salty to
3:15:18
drink, and the bottom of the lake is covered with a brown crust.
3:15:22
When this crust is broken, cakes of salt adhere to it. These cakes
3:15:26
of salt may be washed clear in the water of this lake, but if
3:15:31
washed in other water, will dissolve. When visiting this lake, our people
3:15:35
were not allowed to even kill game or attack an enemy. All creatures were
3:15:41
free to go and come without molestation. Preparation of a warrior. To be
3:15:48
admitted as a warrior, a youth must have gone with the warriors of his
3:15:52
tribe four separate times on the war path. On the first trip, he
3:15:56
will be given only very inferior fare. With this he must be contented without
3:16:03
murmuring. On none of the four trips is he allowed to select his food
3:16:07
as the warriors do, but must eat such food as he is permitted to
3:16:11
have. On each of these expeditions, he acts as servant, cares for
3:16:18
the horses, cooks the food, and does whatever duties he should do without
3:16:22
being told. He knows what things are to be done, and without waiting
3:16:26
to be told, is to do them. He is not allowed to speak
3:16:31
to any warrior, except in answer to questions or when told to speak.
3:16:37
During these four wars, he is expected to learn the sacred names of everything
3:16:43
used in war, for after the tribe enters upon the war path, no
3:16:48
common names are used in referring to anything appertaining to war. In any way,
3:16:54
war is a solemn religious matter. If after four expeditions, all the
3:17:00
warriors are satisfied that the youth has been industrious, has not spoken out of
3:17:05
order, has been discreet in all things, has shown courage in battle,
3:17:11
has borne all hardships uncomplainingly, and has exhibited no color of cowardice or weakness
3:17:18
of any kind, he may, by vote of the council be admitted as
3:17:24
a warrior. But if any warrior objects to him upon any account, he
3:17:28
will be subjected to further tests. And if he meets these courageously, his
3:17:33
name may again be proposed. When he has proven beyond question that he can
3:17:39
bear hardships without complaint and that he is a stranger to fear, he is
3:17:43
admitted to the Council of the Warriors in the lowest rank. After this,
3:17:48
there is no formal test for promotions, but by common consent he assumes a
3:17:54
station on the battlefield, and if that position is maintained with honor, he
3:17:58
is allowed to keep it and may be asked or may volunteer, to take
3:18:03
a higher station. But no warrior would presume to take a higher station unless
3:18:09
he had assurance from the leaders of the tribe that his conduct in the first
3:18:13
position was worthy of commendation. From this point upward, the only election by
3:18:18
the council informal assembly is the election of the chief. Old men are not
3:18:24
allowed to lead in battle, but their advice is always respected. Old age
3:18:30
means loss of physical power and is fatal to active leadership. Dances All dances
3:18:37
are considered religious ceremonies and are presided over by a chief and medicine men.
3:18:43
They are of a social or military nature, but never without some sacred characteristic.
3:18:50
A dance of Thanksgiving. Every summer, we would gather the fruit of
3:18:54
the yucca grind and pulverize it and mold it into cakes. Then the tribe
3:19:00
would be assembled to feast, to sing, and to give praises to usen.
3:19:05
Prayers of thanksgiving were said by all. When the dance began, the
3:19:09
leaders bore these cakes and added words of praise occasionally to the usual tone sounds
3:19:16
of the music. The war dance. After a council of warriors had deliberated
3:19:22
and had prepared for the war path, the dance would be started. In
3:19:26
this dance there is usual singing led by the warriors and accompanied by the beating
3:19:31
of the esadadeni, but the dancing is more violent and yells and war whoops
3:19:37
sometimes almost drowned the music. Only warriors participated in this dance. Scalp Dance.
3:19:45
After a war party has returned, a modification of the war dance is
3:19:50
held. The warriors who have brought scalps from the battles exhibit them to the
3:19:54
tribe, and when the dance begins, these scalps, elevat on poles or
3:20:01
spears, are carried around the campfires while the dance is in progress. During
3:20:05
this dance. There is still some of the solemnity of the war dance.
3:20:11
There are yells and war whoops, frequently accompanied by discharge of firearms, but
3:20:16
there is always more levity than would be permitted at a war dance. After
3:20:20
the scalp dance is over, the scalps are thrown away. No Apache would
3:20:26
keep them, for they are considered defiling a social dance. In the early
3:20:31
part of September nineteen o five, I announced among the Apaches that my daughter
3:20:37
Eva, having attained womanhood, should now put away childish things and assume her
3:20:43
station as a young lady. At a dance of the tribe. She would
3:20:46
make her debut, and then or thereafter it would be proper for a warrior
3:20:52
to seek her hand in marriage. Accordingly, invitations were issued to all Apaches
3:20:58
and many Comanches and Kio to assemble for a grand dance on the green by
3:21:03
the south bank of Medicine Creek, near the village of Knightchi, former chief
3:21:07
of the Jocona Apaches, on the first night of full moon in September.
3:21:13
The festivities were to continue for two days and nights. Nothing was omitted in
3:21:18
the preparation that would contribute to the enjoyment of the guests or the perfection of
3:21:24
the observance of the religious rite. To make ready for the dancing, the
3:21:28
grass on a large circular space was closely mowed. The singing was led by
3:21:33
Chief Knightchi and I, assisted by our medicine men, directed the dance.
3:21:41
First, Eva advanced from among the women and danced once around the camp fire.
3:21:46
Then, accompanied by another young woman, she again advanced and both danced
3:21:52
twice around the camp fire. Then she and two other young ladies advanced and
3:21:56
danced three times around the camp fire. The next time, she and three
3:22:01
other young ladies advanced and danced four times around the camp fire. This ceremony
3:22:07
lasted about one hour. Next, the medicine men entered, stripped to the
3:22:13
waist, their bodies painted fantastically, and danced the sacred dances. They were
3:22:18
followed by clown dancers who amused the audience greatly. Then the members of the
3:22:24
tribe joined hands and danced in a circle around the camp fire for a long
3:22:30
time. All the friends of the tribe were asked to take part in this
3:22:33
dance, and when it was ended, many of the old people retired and
3:22:39
the lovers dance began The warriors stood in the middle of the circle, and
3:22:45
the ladies two and two danced forward and designated some warrior to dance with them.
3:22:50
The dancing was back and forth on a line from the center to the
3:22:54
outer edge of the circle. The warrior faced the two ladies, and when
3:22:58
they danced forward to the center, he danced backward. Then they danced backward
3:23:05
to the outer edge, and he followed facing them. This lasted two or
3:23:09
three hours, and then the music changed. Immediately the warriors assembled again in
3:23:16
the center of the circle, and this time each lady selected a warrior as
3:23:20
a partner. The manner of dancing was as before, only two instead of
3:23:26
three danced together. During this dance, which continued until daylight. The warrior,
3:23:31
if dancing with a maiden, could propose marriage, and if the maiden
3:23:35
agreed, he would consult her father soon afterward and make a bargain for her.
3:23:41
Upon all such occasions as this, When the dance is finished, each
3:23:46
warrior gives a present to the lady who selected him for a partner and danced
3:23:50
with him. If she is satisfied with the present, he says goodbye.
3:23:54
If not, the matter is referred to someone in authority, medicine man or
3:24:00
chief who determines the question of what is a proper gift. For a married
3:24:05
lady, the value of the present should be two or three dollars. For
3:24:09
a maiden, the present should have a value of not less than five dollars.
3:24:13
Often, however, the maiden receives a very valuable present. During the
3:24:18
lover's dance, the medicine men mingle with the dancers to keep out evil spirits.
3:24:24
Perhaps I shall never again have cause to assemble our people to dance,
3:24:30
But these social dances in the moonlight have been a large part of our enjoyment
3:24:35
in the past, and I think they will not soon be discontinued, at
3:24:39
least I hope not. End of Section eight, Section nine, The Old
3:24:46
and the New, Part two, Chapter twenty one. At the World's Fair,
3:24:54
when I was first asked to attend the Saint Louis World's Fair, I
3:24:58
did not wish to go. Later, when I was told that I would
3:25:01
receive good attention and protection, and that the President of the United States said
3:25:07
it would be all right, I consented. I was kept by parties in
3:25:11
charge of the Indian Department, who had obtained permission from the President I stayed
3:25:18
in this place for six months. I sold my photographs for twenty five cents
3:25:22
and was allowed to keep ten cents of this for myself. I also wrote
3:25:26
my name for ten, fifteen or twenty five cents, as the case might
3:25:31
be, and kept all of that money. I often made as much as
3:25:35
two dollars a day, and when I returned I had plenty of money,
3:25:41
more than I had ever owned before. Many people in Saint Louis invited me
3:25:46
to come to their homes, but my keeper always refused. Every Sunday,
3:25:52
the president of the fair sent for me to go to a Wild West show.
3:25:56
I took part in the roping contests. Before the Audiollians. There were
3:26:01
many other Indian tribes there, and strange people of whom I had never heard.
3:26:07
When people first came to the World's Fair, they did nothing but parade
3:26:11
up and down the streets. When they got tired of this, they would
3:26:15
visit the shows. There were many strange things in these shows. The government
3:26:20
sent guards with me when I went, and I was not allowed to go
3:26:24
anywhere without them. In one of these shows, some strange men with red
3:26:28
caps turks had some peculiar swords, and they seemed to want to fight.
3:26:35
Finally, their manager told them they might fight each other. They tried to
3:26:39
hit each other over the head with these swords, and I expected both to
3:26:43
be wounded or perhaps killed, but neither one was harmed. They would be
3:26:48
hard people to kill in a hand to hand fight. In another show,
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there was a strange looking negro. The manager tied his hands fast, then
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tied him to a church. He was securely tied for I looked myself and
3:27:03
I did not think it was possible for him to get away. Then the
3:27:07
manager told him to get loose. He twisted in his chair for a moment
3:27:13
and then stood up. The ropes were still tied, but he was free.
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I do not understand how this was done. It was certainly a miraculous
3:27:22
power, because no man could have released himself by his own efforts. In
3:27:28
another place, a man was on a platform speaking to the audience. They
3:27:33
set a basket by the side of the platform and covered it with red calicole.
3:27:37
Then a woman came and got into the basket, and a man covered
3:27:41
the basket again with the calicole. Then the man who was speaking to the
3:27:46
audience took a long sword and ran it through the basket each way and then
3:27:52
down through the cloth cover. I heard the sword cut through the woman's body,
3:27:58
and the manager himself said she was dead. But when the cloth was
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lifted from the basket, she stepped out, smiled, and walked off the
3:28:07
stage. I would like to know how she was so quickly healed, and
3:28:13
why the wounds did not kill her. I have never considered bears very intelligent,
3:28:18
except in their wild habits, but I had never before seen a white
3:28:22
bear. In one of the shows, a man had a white bear that
3:28:26
was as intelligent as a man. He would do whatever he was told,
3:28:31
carry a log on his shoulder, just as a man would, then when
3:28:35
he was told, would put it down again. He did many other things
3:28:39
and seemed to know exactly what his keeper said to him. I am sure
3:28:45
that no grisly bear could be trained to do these things. One time,
3:28:50
the guards took me into a little house that had four windows. When we
3:28:54
were seated, the little house started to move along the ground. Then the
3:29:00
guards called my attention to some curious things they had in their pockets. Finally
3:29:05
they told me to look out, and when I did so, I was
3:29:09
scared, for our little house had gone high up in the air, and
3:29:13
the people down in the fair grounds looked no larger than ants. The men
3:29:18
laughed at me for being scared. Then they gave me a glass to look
3:29:22
through. I often had such glasses, which I took from dead offices after
3:29:26
battles in Mexico and elsewhere, and I could see rivers, lakes and mountains.
3:29:33
But I had never been so high in the air, and I tried
3:29:37
to look into the sky. There were no stars, and I could not
3:29:41
look at the sun through this glass because the brightness hurt my eyes. Finally,
3:29:46
I put the glass down, and as they were all laughing at me,
3:29:50
I too began to laugh. Then they said get out, and when
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I looked, we were on the street again. After we were safe on
3:30:01
the land, I watched many of these little houses going up and coming down,
3:30:05
but I cannot understand how they travel. They are very curious little houses.
3:30:11
One day we went into another show, and as soon as we were
3:30:16
in it, it changed into night. It was real night, for I
3:30:20
could feel the damp air. Soon it began to thunder and the lightnings flashed.
3:30:26
It was real lightning, too, for it struck just above our heads.
3:30:31
I dodged and wanted to run away, but I could not tell which
3:30:35
way to go in order to get out. The guards motioned me to keep
3:30:39
still, and so I stayed. In front of us were some strange little
3:30:43
people who came out on the platform. Then I looked up again and the
3:30:48
clouds were all gone, and I could see the stars shining. The little
3:30:52
people on the platform did not seem in earnest about anything they did, so
3:30:58
I only laughed at them. All the people around where we sat seemed to
3:31:01
be laughing at me. We went into another place, and the manager took
3:31:07
us into a little room that was made like a cage. Then everything around
3:31:11
us seemed to be moving. Soon the air looked blue. Then there were
3:31:16
black clouds moving with the wind. Pretty soon it was clear outside. Then
3:31:22
we saw a few thin white clouds. Then the clouds grew thicker, and
3:31:26
it rained and hailed with thunder and lightning. Then the thunder retreated and a
3:31:31
rainbow appeared in the distance. Then it became dark, the moon rose and
3:31:37
thousands of stars came out. Soon the sun came up and we got out
3:31:41
of the little room. This was a good show, but it was so
3:31:46
strange and unnatural that I was glad to be on the streets again. We
3:31:50
went into one place where they made glassware. I had always thought that these
3:31:56
things were made by hand, but they are not. The man and had
3:32:00
a curious little instrument, and whenever he would blow through this into a little
3:32:03
blaze, the glass would take any shape he wanted it to. I am
3:32:09
not sure, but I think that if I had this kind of an instrument,
3:32:13
I could make whatever I wished. There seems to be a charm about
3:32:18
it, but I suppose it is very difficult to get these little instruments,
3:32:22
or other people would have them. The people in this show were so anxious
3:32:26
to buy the things the man made that they kept him so busy he could
3:32:31
not sit down all day long. I bought many curious things in there and
3:32:37
brought them home with me. At the end of one of the streets,
3:32:41
some people were getting into a clumsy canoe upon a kind of shelf and sliding
3:32:46
down into the water. They seemed to enjoy it, but it looked too
3:32:50
fierce for me. If one of these canoes had gotten out of its path,
3:32:56
the people would have been sure to get hurt or killed. There were
3:33:00
some little brown people at the fair that united States troops captured recently on some
3:33:05
islands far away from here. They did not wear much clothing, and I
3:33:11
think that they should not have been allowed to come to the fair. But
3:33:15
they themselves did not seem to know any better. They had some little brass
3:33:20
plates, and they tried to play music with these, but I did not
3:33:24
think it was music. It was only a rattle. However, they danced
3:33:28
to this noise and seemed to think they were giving a fine show. I
3:33:33
do not know how true the report was, but I heard that the President
3:33:37
sent them to the fair so that they could learn some manners, and when
3:33:41
they went home, teached their people how to dress and how to behave.
3:33:46
I am glad I went to the fair. I saw many interesting things and
3:33:50
learned much of the white people. They are a very kind and peaceful people.
3:33:56
During all the time I was at the fair, no one tried to
3:34:00
harm me in any way. Had this been among the Mexicans, I am
3:34:05
sure I should have been compelled to defend myself. Often. I wish all
3:34:09
my people could have attended the fair. Chapter twenty two. Religion in our
3:34:16
primitive worship, only our relations to usin and the members of our tribe were
3:34:22
considered as appertaining to our religious responsibilities. As to the future state, the
3:34:28
teachings of our tribe were not specific. That is, we had no definite
3:34:33
idea of our relations and surroundings in after life. We believe that there is
3:34:37
a life after this one, but no one ever told me as to what
3:34:41
part of man lived after death. I have seen many men die, I
3:34:46
have seen many human bodies decayed, but I have never seen that part which
3:34:52
is called the spirit. I do not know what it is, nor have
3:34:56
I yet been able to understand that part of the Christian relig We held that
3:35:01
the discharge of one's duty would make his future life more pleasant, but whether
3:35:05
that future life was worse than this life or better, we did not know,
3:35:11
and no one was able to tell us. We hoped that in the
3:35:16
future life, family and tribal relations would be resumed in a way. We
3:35:20
believed this, but we did not know it. Once, when living in
3:35:26
San Carlos Reservation, an Indian told me that, while lying unconscious on the
3:35:31
battlefield, he had actually been dead and had passed into the spirit land.
3:35:37
First he came to a mulberry tree growing out from a cave in the ground.
3:35:43
Before this cave, a guard was stationed, but when he approached without
3:35:46
fear, the guard let him pass. He descended into the cave, and
3:35:52
a little way back the path widened and terminated in a perpendicular rock many hundreds
3:35:58
of feet wide and equal in height. There was not much light, but
3:36:03
by peering directly beneath him, he discovered a pile of sand reaching from the
3:36:09
depths below to within twenty feet of the top of the rock, where he
3:36:13
stood holding to a bush, He swung off from the edge of the rock
3:36:18
and dropped into the sand, sliding rapidly down its step side into the darkness.
3:36:24
He landed in a narrow passage running due westward through a canyon, which
3:36:30
gradually grew lighter and lighter, until he could see as well as if it
3:36:35
had been daylight, but there was no sun. Finally, he came to
3:36:39
a section of this passage that was wider for a short distance, and then
3:36:43
closing abruptly, continued in a narrow path. Just where this section narrowed,
3:36:50
two huge serpents were coiled and rearing their heads hissed at him as he approached,
3:36:56
but he showed no fear, and as soon as he came close to
3:37:00
them, they withdrew quietly and let him pass. At the next place,
3:37:05
where the passage opened into a wider section, were two grizzly bears prepared to
3:37:11
attack him, but when he approached and spoke to them, they stood aside,
3:37:16
and he passed unharmed. He continued to follow the narrow passage, and
3:37:20
the third time it widened, and two mountain lions crouched in the way,
3:37:26
but when he had approached them without fear and had spoken to them, they
3:37:30
also withdrew. He again entered the narrow passage for some time. He followed
3:37:35
this, emerging into a fourth section, beyond which he could see nothing.
3:37:41
The further walls of this section were clashing together at regular intervals with tremendous sounds,
3:37:48
but when he approached them, they stood apart until he had passed.
3:37:52
After this, he seemed to be in a forest, and following the natural
3:37:56
draws which led westward, soon came into a green valley where there were many
3:38:03
Indians camped and plenty of game. He said that he saw and recognized many
3:38:07
whom he had known in this life, and that he was sorry when he
3:38:11
was brought back to consciousness. I told him if I knew this to be
3:38:16
true, I would not want to live another day, but by some means,
3:38:22
if by my own hands, I would die in order to enjoy these
3:38:26
pleasures. I myself have lain unconscious on the battlefield, and while in that
3:38:31
condition, have had some strange thoughts or experiences, but they are very dim
3:38:37
and I cannot recall them well enough to relate them. Many Indians believed this
3:38:43
warrior, and I cannot say that he did not tell the truth. I
3:38:46
wish I knew that what he said is beyond question true, but perhaps it
3:38:52
is as well that we are not certain. Since my life as a prisoner
3:38:58
has begun, I have heard the teachings of the white Man's religion, and
3:39:01
in many respects believe it to be better than the religion of my father's.
3:39:07
However, I have always prayed, and I believe that the Almighty has always
3:39:13
protected me. Believing that in a wise way it is good to go to
3:39:18
church, and that associating with Christians would improve my character, I have adopted
3:39:24
the Christian religion. I believe that the church has helped me much during the
3:39:28
short time I have been a member. I am not ashamed to be a
3:39:33
Christian and I am glad to know that the President of the United States is
3:39:37
a Christian, for without the help of the Almighty I do not think he
3:39:41
could rightly judge in ruling so many people. I have advised all of my
3:39:46
people who are not Christians to study that religion, because it seems to me
3:39:52
the best religion in enabling one to live right. Chapter twenty three, Hopes
3:39:58
for the Future. I am thankful that the President of the United States has
3:40:03
given me permission to tell my story. I hope that he and those in
3:40:07
authority under him will read my story and judge whether my people have been rightly
3:40:13
treated. There is a great question between the Apaches and the government. For
3:40:18
twenty years we have been held prisoners of war under a treaty which was made
3:40:24
with General Miles on the part of the United States government and myself as the
3:40:30
representative of the Apaches. That treaty has not at all times been properly observed
3:40:35
by the government, although at the present time it is being more nearly fulfilled
3:40:41
on their part than Heretofore, in the treaty with General Miles, we agreed
3:40:46
to go to a place outside of Arizona and learn to live as the white
3:40:52
people do. I think that my people are now capable of living in accordance
3:40:56
with the laws of the United States, and we of course like to have
3:41:01
the liberty to return to that land which is ours by divine right. We
3:41:05
are reduced in numbers, and having learned how to cultivate the soil, would
3:41:11
not require so much ground as was formerly necessary. We do not ask all
3:41:16
of the land which the Almighty gave us in the beginning, but that we
3:41:20
may have sufficient lands there to cultivate what we do not need. We are
3:41:24
glad for the white men to cultivate. We are now held on Comanche and
3:41:28
Kiowa lands which are not suited to our needs. These lands, in this
3:41:33
climate are suited to the Indians who originally inhabited this country, of course,
3:41:37
but our people are decreasing in numbers here and will continue to decrease unless they
3:41:45
are allowed to return to their native land. Such a result is inevitable.
3:41:50
There is no climate or soil which, to my mind is equal to that
3:41:54
of Arizona. We could have plenty of good cultivating land, plenty of grass,
3:42:01
plenty of timber, and plenty of minerals in that land which the Almighty
3:42:05
created for the Apaches. It is my land, my home, my father's
3:42:11
land, to which I now ask to be allowed to return. I want
3:42:16
to spend my last days there and be buried among those mountains. If this
3:42:22
could be, I might die in peace, feeling that my people, placed
3:42:26
in their native homes, would increase in numbers rather than diminish as at present,
3:42:33
and that our name would not become extinct. I know that if my
3:42:37
people were placed in that mountainous region lying around the headwaters of the Hille River,
3:42:43
they would live in peace and act according to the will of the President.
3:42:48
They would be prosperous and happy in telling the soil and learning the civilization
3:42:52
of the white men whom they now respect. Could I but see this accomplished.
3:42:58
I think I could forget all the wrongs that I have ever received and
3:43:03
die a contented and happy old man. But we can do nothing in this
3:43:09
matter ourselves. We must wait until those in authority choose to act. If
3:43:16
this cannot be done during my lifetime, if I must die in bondage,
3:43:22
I hope that the remnant of the Apache tribe may, when I am gone,
3:43:26
be granted the one privilege which they request to return to Arizona, end
3:43:35
of section nine, end of Geronimo's story of his life by Geronimo