Geronimo, one of the most famous, and maybe infamous, Indian chiefs and warriors died in a prison hospital in Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He was both feared and admired by his cavalry adversaries. One of them said,  “ Geronimo had the clearest, sharpest dark eye I have ever seen, unless is was that of Gen. Sherman.” He was one of the brightest, most resolute and determined man that I ever encountered.”

 

As leader of the warring Apaches, Geronimo, gained a reputation for cruelty and cunning never surpassed by that of any other American Indian chief. For more than twenty years, he and his men were the terror of the country, always leaving a trail of bloodshed and devastation. The old chief was captured many times, but always got away again, until his final capture in 1886. The capture was made in the summer, after a long and very trying campaign of many months. Geronimo was captured surrounded by about 400 bucks, squaws, papooses and dogs. They only had a few blankets and tent poles. Because of his noted cruelty, whites demanded that Geronimo never be allowed to return to the reservation, but be imprisoned.

 

Geronimo was the son of another chief who fought Americans in Arizona, New Mexico, and Northern Mexico. Geronimo used cunning and genius for the Indian method of warfare to take control of the Apache tribe. 

 

General Wood who captured Geronimo told an interesting incident about the old chief. After he had captured Geronimo, the later asked to borrow his Hotchkiss rifle and some ammunition. General Wood then showed the chief how to use the rife. Geronimo then fired at his mark, just missing one of his own man, who was passing. This he regarded as a great joke, rolling on the ground and laughing heartily and shouting ‘Good gun.’”