Geronimo

Tory Metzger Wicki Project

Geronimo


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Goyahkla (One Who Yawns), better known as Geronimo was born sometime around 1829 near the headwaters of the Gila River in present day southeast Arizona. He was born into the Bedonkohe Apache clan a branch of the Chiricahua Apache tribe. Geronimo grew up listening to stories and songs about the Apache’s history and culture, many about his grandfather Mahko. Mahko was a well known and respected Bedonkohe Apache leader. He also grew up learning how to survive in the desert climate that his people lived in. He was also being prepared to become an Apache warrior by his father and probably his uncles as well. They would teach him things such as how to shoot a bow and arrow, catch and ride a horse, and how to run for many miles without stopping. When Geronimo was 17 he married Alope from the Nedni-Chiricahua Apache band, and they had three children. On March 6, 1858 while Geronimo and most of the other men were off trading in a nearby Mexican town, the camp with his wife, children, and mother in it was attacked by 400 Mexican soldiers. His whole family was killed, deeply setting in Geronimo’s hatred for the Mexicans. It was then that his chief, Mangas Coloradas, sent Geronimo off the great chief Cochise’s band to get revenge against the Mexicans. It was in the following battles that the name Geronimo was given to him by the Mexican soldiers. Geronimo or Jerome in Spanish was an appeal to Saint Jerome for protection as Geronimo rode heedlessly into battle killing as many Mexicans as possible, seemingly impervious to their bullets. During the years that followed there were many raids on Mexican settlements and it was believed for a while no area in the southwest or Mexico was safe. These raids were not only a retaliation for Mexican’s taking slaves and placing a bounty on Apache scalps, but was a way of survival that has been part of the Apache culture since the beginning. Through these raids Geronimo became a big man to the Apache tribe. It was believed that he had special spiritual power because although he was wounded many times he would always survive. Because of this “power” many apaches chose to follow him on their own accord. In 1872 the US Government established the Chiricahua Reservation in Arizona and moved Geronimo’s tribe there. The animosity towards the US didn’t start until 1876 when the government tried to move the Chiricahua Apache tribe to the San Carlos reservation. Geronimo decides he doesn’t want to go to the San Carlos Reservation and leads a large group his people into the Sierra Madre Mountains. Here they start conducting raids again this time against the United States Army and settlers in the region. He is tricked into coming back onto the reservation for a “conference” where they are arrested and stuck back on the reservation. A year later Geronimo leads another band away from the reservation to conduct more raids in the surrounding area. This time he faced pursuit from both the US Army and the Mexican Army. Tired from being chased by both armies Geronimo willingly returns to the reservation, only to run away again because he became unhappy with the many injustices that were done to the Apache on the reservation. Over the next few years Geronimo would peacefully return to the reservation several times, only to escape with another band of Apaches to hide in the Sierra Madres. During these years he caused much embarrassment to both armies and sometimes had as many as 5000 troops pursuing him through the Sierra Madres. It was only when General Cook used Apache scouts to track down Geronimo that he caught him. On September 3rd 1886 Geronimo surrendered to Brigadier General Nelson A. Miles in Skeleton Canyon, Arizona Territory. Geronimo’s surrender marked the end of Apache resistance, the last tribe to submit to the US Government. Geronimo was taken with 14 other warriors to Fort Pickens, Florida to be held as prisoners of war. Their families were held at the Mount Vernon Barracks in Alabama. Geronimo and the rest of his group were transported to Fort Sill in Oklahoma Territory in 1894. Their descendents still live there today. Geronimo made the most of his captivity signing autographs and appearing at large events like President Theodore Roosevelt’s inaugural parade. On February 17, 1909 Geronimo died of Pneumonia. He fell off his horse while he was drunk and laid in a puddle of water all night. Geronimo is widely regarded as one of the most famous American Indians ever thanks largely to his bitter resistance to being assimilated into the Anglo way of life.

1. [] This is a biography of Geronimo that focuses on several parts of his life. 2. [] This is a brief overview of Geronimo’s life. 3. [] This article is mainly about Geronimo’s career fighting the US Army with some background information. 4. [] This article has some quotes and background information on Geronimo. 5. [] This article has some background and information and a timeline on Geronimo’s life. 6. [] This article has some Quotes from Geronimo. 7. [] This is an in depth biography on Geronimo. 8. [] This is a brief look into several aspects of Geronimo’s life. 9. [] This is a good biography of Geronimo’s life. 10. [] This is an obituary for Geronimo. 11. [] This is an in depth look at Geronimo’s life. 12. [] This is an in depth look at the Apache with some focus on Geronimo. 13. [] This is a brief biography of Geronimo’s life. 14. [] This is a brief account of Geronimo’s life. 15. [] This is an account as told by Geronimo about one of his battles with the Mexicans. 16. [] This is Geronimo’s account of the first time he came into contact with the White man. 17. [] This is a brief biography about Geronimo. 18. [] This is a picture of Geronimo. 19. [] This article has Geronimo’s song some Quotes and a brief background of his life. 20. [] This is a picture of Geronimo.