Geronimo / Goyathlay (1829-1909)
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To other members of the Chiricahua
(chair-i-cow-ah) Apache, Geronimo seemed to reflect all things they
embraced as a people - courage, diligence and aggressiveness -
qualities that for years kept them relatively safe from the increasing
white encroachment in Arizona and New Mexico. The Chircahuas were
nomadic, following game and farming in the warmer months. But when
times were tough and food was scarce raids on other tribes was the way
of life, and considered honorable.
Geronimo was born Goyathlay (One Who
Yawns) in Arizona, grandson of a chief of the Nedni Apache, but his
father married a Bedonkohe Apache and joined her tribe, thereby
forfeiting his hereditary right as leader. Therefore, contrary to
popular ideas, Geronimo was never a chief. He was a dutiful follower of
many great chiefs though, including Cochise and Coloradas.
While many Europeans were trickling
into the area, the Spanish were already firmly in place for years. The
whites were a problem, but it was Mexican soldiers who raided and
killed Geronimo's family - his mother, wife and three children. Prior
to this event, Geronimo had been considered more a holy man than a
warrior, but as a result of his loss he often spoke of his hatred for
whites and coveted a vengeance that would bring him to kill as many as
he could.
Geronimo's "white name" came as a
result of his fearless and resourceful as a warrior. While leading a
charge against Mexicans they began to shout "Geronimo!" seeking help
from their patron saint, Jerome, or Geronimo in Spanish. Emerging
conqueror over the Mexicans, the warriors bestowed the name of Geronimo
on their fearless leader. To this day the name remains a battle cry.
The army tried to place all the
Chiricahua on reservation in 1876, but Geronimo fled to Mexico and
escaped capture for a decade. While the press is accused of "making
news" these days, so it was then. The press had Geronimo everywhere and
doing everything, often at the same time. The media image of Geronimo
made him the most high-profile and feared of all the Apache. It wasn't
all myth however. His name was associated with terror in the Southwest
and ultimately it took more than 5,000 soldiers and 500 scouts to track
down Geronimo and his followers.
He finally surrendered after hearing
his people were being sent East. He was the very last renegade Indian
to surrender to white authority. Geronimo was sent to a reservation in
Florida for two years, where many died of malaria or tuberculosis.
Geronimo longed to return to his beloved Arizona, but that was not to
be so. He was to make another stop in Alabama before finally being
placed on a reservation in Oklahoma, which at least bore a climate more
similar to that of the Southwest. It was here, at Fort Sill, that he
spent the last 14 years of his life.
In his old age, Geronimo learned a
little English and how to write his name. He became very enterprising
in his ability to market himself and his legacy, selling buttons from
his coat for a quarter apiece, his hat for five dollars or bows and
arrows that he made. For 50 cents, he would sign his name. If asked he
would show off his battle wounds with pride. He also made personal
appearances at places like Oklahoma fairs, the Exposition in Omaha in
1898, the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo in 1901, the St. Louis
World's Fair in 1904 and Teddy Roosevelt's inaugural parade in 1905.
Despite making the rounds as an
"attraction," Geronimo was never allowed to return to Arizona. As an
old man, he remained a crack shot, and he enjoyed good health well into
his 80s. Geronimo also drank, sometimes to excess and this ultimately
was his demise. On a cold night in February of 1909, drunk, he fell off
his horse and lay undiscovered on the cold ground. This brought on
pneumonia and he died a few days later.
