Geronimo: Story of His Life
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Geronimo, one of the greatest Apache warriors and American legends, gives his first-hand account of his life in his autobiography âGeronimo's Story of His Lifeâ. The famous chief orally told his story to S. M. Barrett, a Superintendent of Education in Oklahoma, and Barrett published the book with little to no deviations from Geronimoâs interview.
This is extraordinary, considering the many contemporary propaganda campaigns created against Geronimo in an attempt to rally the American public against Native Americans.
Geronimo's Story of His Life tells the warriorâs side of the story about his time fighting the Mexicans for land, surrendering to the American government, being exhibited as a carnival side-show attraction, and his deep love for his people and their land. Geronimoâs dedication to peace between the American government and the Apache people is obvious with the warriorâs diplomatic words and actions after his surrender; even when the American government broke the peace treaty to allow his people to move to Florida unhindered, Geronimo remained honorable and maintained his side of the bargain.
Also present is a deep knowledge, respect, and description of Apache traditions, written with the hope of explaining these cultural aspects to a white American audience.
Geronimo's Story of His Life is simply an outstanding memoir which helped bridge the gap between Apache and American relations in a difficult time in American history.
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Geronimo (June 16, 1829 â February 17, 1909) was a prominent leader and medicine man from the Bedonkohe band of the Apache people. From 1850 to 1886, Geronimo joined with members of three other Chiricahua Apache bandsâthe Tchihende, the Tsokanende and the Nednhiâto carry out numerous raids, as well as fight against Mexican and U.S. military campaigns in the northern Mexico states of Chihuahua and Sonora and in the southwestern American territories of New Mexico and Arizona. In 1886, after an intense pursuit in northern Mexico by American forces that followed Geronimo's third 1885 reservation breakout, Geronimo surrendered for the last time to Lt. Charles Bare Gatewood. Geronimo and 27 other Apaches were later sent to join the rest of the Chiricahua tribe, which had been previously exiled to Florida. He died at the Fort Sill hospital in 1909, as a prisoner of war, and was buried at the Fort Sill Indian Agency Cemetery, among the graves of relatives and other Apache prisoners of war.
