Geronimo Surrenders, Ending Major Indian Wars
After nearly 30 years fighting the Americans and Mexicans that invaded his home, Geronimo surrendered on September 4, 1886.
Born in 1829, Geronimo was known to his Apache people as Goyaalé, or, “the one who yawns.” In the 1850s, a group of Mexican soldiers attacked his village while he was in a nearby town trading. Geronimo returned home to find his mother, wife, and children among those killed that day. From then on, Geronimo and his followers killed any Mexicans they crossed paths with out of revenge.
Geronimo spent the next 30 years waging war with Mexicans and Americans. In 1874, he and his tribe were relocated to a reservation in Arizona. Geronimo didn’t agree with the strict rulers there and led his followers on a number of daring escapes over the years. After these escapes, Geronimo and his band of Apaches launched raids on white settlements, but were always eventually forced back to the reservation.
Geronimo made his final escape in May 1885, leading some 150 followers. They were followed into Mexico by 5,000 U.S. troops and eventually caught by General George Crook. He forced Geronimo to surrender. But as he’d done many times in the past, Geronimo escaped and launched more raids.
Following Crook’s failure, General Nelson Miles was brought in to pursue Geronimo. Miles caught Geronimo near Fort Bowie along the Arizona-new Mexico border. After decades of fighting and years of running dozens of miles a day, Geronimo and his men were tired. This time Geronimo actually surrendered – making him the last Indian warrior to do so, ending the major fighting of the Indian Wars in the Southwest.
Geronimo spent several years as a prisoner of the United States. He later converted to Christianity, became a successful farmer, and worked as a scout and advisor for the U.S. army. He became a celebrity, representing the vanishing Wild West, appearing and world’s fairs, and even riding in President Theodore Roosevelt’s inaugural parade in 1905.
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Very interesting.
And The West was Won.
But why do people yell his name when they jump out of airplanes?
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geronimo_%28exclamation%29
I wondered that too, but don’t really know the answer..thought maybe because he was brave and always (until the last) escaped…so “what the heck, just go for it..Geronimo!!” but I am strictly making that up–does anyone know the real answer?
Just saw the wikipedia link–lots of explanations there!
An excellet story of our history. This and other stories like this should be taught in our schools I am 87 years old and I don’t remember any thing like this taught to us in school. A great article.
If the stamp and history is not available, we will never know of the people who made history.
Great information on an important slice of Americana. Thanks.
I have really enjoyed recapturing our History. Keep up the good work Look forward to each days lesson.
Great information. Thanks Mystic.
The last paragraph says he spent the remainder of his life as a prisoner, then goes on to say he became a successful farmer, worked as a scout, and made appearances in world fairs. How could he do all of that while being a prisoner??
Outstanding!
I think I read somwhere that when Geronimo was about to lead his warriors into battle they would all shout out his name, (kinda like a “lets roll! thing ).
As usual your articles are interesting and informative. Thank you.
Geronimo:
Wow, 80 full years of living in a constant flight or fight.
What a life!
I find it funny, “Geronimo was known to his Apache people as Goyaalé, or, “the one who yawns.â€
“After decades of fighting and years of running dozens of miles a day, Geronimo and his men were tired.”.
That is some kind of endurance! Especially for a guy named for his yawning.