Geronimo's Story of His Life

Because he has given me permission to tell my story; because he has read that story and knows I try to speak the truth; because I believe that he is fair-minded and will cause my people to receive justice in the future; and because he is chief of a great people, I dedicate this story of my life to Theodore Roosevelt, President of the United States.

GERONIMO.

PREFACE

The initial idea of the compilation of this work was to give the reading public an authentic record of the private life of the Apache Indians, and to extend to Geronimo as a prisoner of war the courtesy due any captive, i. e., the right to state the causes which impelled him in his opposition to our civilization and laws.

If the Indians' cause has been properly presented, the captives' defense clearly stated, and the general store of information regarding vanishing types increased, I shall be satisfied.

I desire to acknowledge valuable suggestions from Maj. Charles Taylor, Fort Sill, Oklahoma; Dr. J. M. Greenwood, Kansas City, Missouri, and President David R. Boyd, of the University of Oklahoma.

I especially desire in this connection to say that without the kindly advice and assistance of President Theodore Roosevelt this book could not have been written.

Respectfully, S. M. BARRETT. LAWTON, OKLAHOMA. August 14, 1906.

[Illustration: HOW THE BOOK WAS MADE]

CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE

INTRODUCTORY xi

PART I

The Apaches

I. ORIGIN OF THE APACHE INDIANS 3

II. SUBDIVISIONS OF THE APACHE TRIBE 12

III. EARLY LIFE 17

IV. TRIBAL AMUSEMENTS, MANNERS, AND CUSTOMS 26

V. THE FAMILY 35

PART II

The Mexicans

VI. KAS-KI-YEH 43

VII. FIGHTING UNDER DIFFICULTIES 55

VIII. RAIDS THAT WERE SUCCESSFUL 69

IX. VARYING FORTUNES 79

X. OTHER RAIDS 86

XI. HEAVY FIGHTING 98

XII. GERONIMO'S MIGHTIEST BATTLE 105

PART III

The White Men

XIII. COMING OF THE WHITE MEN 113

XIV. GREATEST OF WRONGS 116

XV. REMOVALS 126

XVI. IN PRISON AND ON THE WARPATH 131

XVII. THE FINAL STRUGGLE 139

XVIII. SURRENDER OF GERONIMO 148

XIX. A PRISONER OF WAR 177

PART IV

The Old and the New

XX. UNWRITTEN LAWS OF THE APACHES 185

XXI. AT THE WORLD'S FAIR 197

XXII. RELIGION 207

XXIII. HOPES FOR THE FUTURE 213

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Geronimo Frontispiece

How the book was made Facing page vi

Dressed as in days of old 8

Naiche (Natches), son of Cochise, hereditary chief of the Chiricahua Apaches. Naiche was Geronimo's lieutenant during the protracted wars in Arizona 14

Last of the Bedonkohe Apache Tribe, Tuklonnen, Nädeste, Nah-ta-neal, Porico (White Horse) 18

Work stock in Apache corral 22

The conquered weapon 30

Apache princess, daughter of Naiche, chief of the Chiricahua Apaches 38

Geronimo, Chihuahua, Nanne, Loco, Ozone 46

Naiche, his mother, his two wives and his children 50

Asa Deklugie, wife and children 66

Apache scouts--Naiche, Goody, John Loco, Porico, Jasen, Asa Deklugie, Kelburn, Sam, Hugh, Captain Seyers 70

Three Apache chieftains--Naiche, son of Coche; Asa, son of Whoa; Charley, son of Victoria 80

Apache camp 86

Apache mission--Valley of Medicine Creek, Fort Sill Military Reservation 96

Asa Deklugie (official interpreter for Geronimo, son of Whoa, chief of the Nedni Apaches, chief elect to succeed Geronimo at the latter's death) 100

Geronimo, Apache war chief 100

Lone Wolfe, chief of Kiowas

Geronimo, Apache war chief 108

Quanna Parker, chief of Comanche Indians 118

Gotebo, war chief, Kiowa Indians 144