Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-02-26
PEACE REIeNs.

The surrender of Chief Geronimo Puts Ri
End to the Apache War-Bricf Reviews
of the Bloody Campaign-Two Hundreu
Soldiers and Settlers Killed-New MeAi-
cans Demand the Execution of GerohA-
mo-.
FL PAso, Tex, Feb. additional news
from the seat OF war confirms the report
sent OF Geronimo's unconditional surreh-
der. The particulars in full will probably
be out in a day or two. The war has been
in progress since May, 1885, and troops
have been in the field since the 22d OF that
month. 1t has been one OF the hardestwars
on the regular service thath has ever occurred
in the West. The Indians were well equipped,
and being familiar with the country the
Indians led the soldiers a weary and uncer-
tain chase. They divided into small bands
and raided in all directions. Coming to a
ranch they would kill the settler and his
family, mutilate the victims beyond recog-
milton, steal the provisions and drive Off all
the horses.
Chief Geronimo was the first to 60 on the
war-nath With his band OF bucks. They
we're Chiricahua Apachcs. From all &C
counts there must have been nearly a hun.
dred bucks, besides the women and children,
all of whom fought like demons.
They had two strongholds, one on
the ella river, near siggin's ranch,
in Dry Creek canyon, the other over
the line. in the State OF Sonora,
Old Mexico, south OF Nacori. Troops have
hotly pursued the trail OF the renegades,
but by dividing into squads the Indians
kept out OF the way, disconnected thcscouts
and officers alike, md wore out the cavalry
horses. The plan Of the hostiles was to
terrify and steal, but not to fight openly,
| and the results show the wisdom OF their
course. In this manner they have kept
two thousand troops, besides numerous
companies OF New Mexico militia, in the
field, scouting. about in a purposeless way.
Being unused to such warfare they soon be-
came exhausted, and were compelled to re-
turn to camp. The Government was com
PEELED to employ Indians as scouts. In the
nine months of war there have been nearly
two hundred settlers and soldiers killed.
Much complaint was made by the people
of this section at General Crooks policy.
1t was even alleged that Chief Geronimo
went back on the reservation onenightand
got additional supplies. General Bradley
was also severely condemned by people OF
Grant County, N. NJ, for failure to act when
news was received OF a raiding party at
their hellish work four miles from Fort Bay
ard.
1t is supposed that the Indians got their
supplies from Cases Grandes or some in
land town in Chihuahua, near the Sonora
line. The Mexican Governmentforbadet the
selling OF supplies to Indians, and also put
troops in the field.
The recent skirmish between American
and Mexican soldiers, in which Captain
Crawford lost his life, is fresh in the minds
OF all. After Crawford's death, Lieutenant
Maus assumed command and imme-
diately had an interview with Gero-
nimo and Natchez, who wanted to meet
Crook in one month south of Bernardino.
They turned over to Scout Nana and Lieu
tenant Maus Geronimo's wife and child and
the wife OF Natchez as hostages. Finally,
being worn out and with their supplies
gone, they surrendered 10 Lieutenant
Maus. This probably ends the war, as
Geronimo was the leader. The various
small bands out will likely surrender on
learning OF the action OF their chief.
The people in New Mexico and Arizona
demand the hanging OF Geronimo and all
his immediate followers. Reports received
here from a number of communities show
that theepeople are indignant and will OPP
pose the usual policy OF the army allowing
the renegades to return unpublished to their
reservation. The policy OF the Canadian
Government in hanging Riel is demanded.