The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-09-13
GERONIMO'S CAPTURE.
Capt. Lawton Gives the Details Of His Long
Hunt for the Bad Indians.

CHICAGO, Sept. 1.-THE Timess special from
Painted Cave, Tex, says: A special train passed
through here on Friday, having on board Geron-
imo, Natchez and thirty seven other Apaches,
under charge of Captain Lawton and men. The
Captain, in reply to a request for an account of
the pursuit and capture, said:
my command was organized and took the
field May 5, 1856 We were to operate exclusive
ly south OF the national boundary in Mexico. 1t
was presumed that Geronimo would 20 to his
stronghold, the Sierra Madras On the con-
trary, his band broke up into small parties and
commenced series of very damaging raids in
southwestern Arizona and northwestern Sonora,
in consequence of which the troops were com
PEELED to change the original plan to follow the
ralding party 1t was my particular duty to
keep the trail and not to lose sight Of the
Apaches knowing at all times where they were.
This work continued until after June, when
the trail led into the Azue mountains in
Sonora and from the fact the raiding party sud
denly disappeared from the frontier, it was be-
Ieved that they had left for their stronghold in
the Sierra Madre mountains. Up to this time
the command had marched altogether distance
of 1896 miles, covering that much trail over the
toughest mountains in that section Of the coun-
try. During that time we surprised the Indians
and dispersed them three times.
about the last of June we reorganized for
and fresh company of thirty Indian scouts
were sent me. The latter were from the Unas
and Majors branch tribes of the passes A sup
ply camp was established $50 miles from Sonora.
On the 10Th day of July we left this camp on foot,
following the trail which led to the Guagui river,
below the mouth of the Aras. This country in
that locality exceedingly rough that we
could not use animals; the heat was so intense
that men tainted. and the metal part of The arms
became so hot that the men could not handle
M vUa r6 NV
the excessive fatigue and hot weather. The
trail began to grow larger, and evidences were
seen of small bands coming together and form
ing large companies. Our Indian scouts were
thrown out two days ahead of the command.
The signs began to be fresher, and our scouts
sent us word that we might expect to find the
main camp any day.
"On the 14th of July an Indian runner an
nounced that the camp had been located. Lieut..
Brown, the officer in charge determined to at
tack at once. He did 80, capturing the camp
and stock, but failed to get tho Indians, they
escaping on foot into the mountain Businesses,
they having seen our scouts few moments be-
fore the approach Of the troops. Tracks of
thirty zone Indians were counted in this camp.
From this point the hostileS crossed the
Yaqui river, going in q southerly course. A
heavy rain, which now set in, obliterated their
tracks, so that 1t was extremely difficult to fol-
low them. halted the command for our sup
plies to reach us, and sent two of the most ex
perienced scouts to keep the trail of the Indians.
The Indians moved rapidly to the Ures district,
toward the north, and commenced the recent
notorious bloody raid, going into the mountains
near Fronteras The river in the meantime had
swollen to torrent, necessitating the construc-
of RATS for crossing. The troops moved rap
idly towards Fronteras, making forced marches
sometimes of forty five miles through prickly
pear and paioverde, often being compelled to
chop way with axes for the passage up the
steep mountain sides for our pack mules.
"a short time before arriving at Fronteras
learned that the hostile Indians had made over
lures of peace, and desired to talk. Lieutenant
Gatewood, accompanied by his two Indian scouts,
went forward to open communication with them
He found at Fropteras that the Mexicans had
already made efforts to have a talk with the In
dans, and they objected to our interfering Aft
a consultation with the prefecto on July 90
we agreed to hold our troops back for forty eight
hours to await the result of his negotiations In
the meantime, Lieutenant Gatewood sent his two
scouts to the hostile camp the next day, the 2lst
and l overlook Lieutenant Gatewood ON the 23d,
and found that he was in communication with
the Indians On the 18th Geronimo and several
of his men came into my camp. He agreed to
bring his people down from the mountains and
camp near me until | could send word to
General Miles that he was there. The next day
the Mexicans appeared, which alarmed the hos
tiles, and moved their camp toward the Ameri-
can line. General Miles not arriving, the In.
dams agreed to go with me to Fort Bowie. In
the meantime General Miles had started, and
met as at Skeleton canyon, where Geronimo.
Natchez and other Indians had talk with Gen.
Miles, which resulted in their unconditional sur
render. Upon the completion Of this agreement
the two chiefs, Geronimo and Natchez, accom-
panied General miles in his ambulance to Fort
Bowie. The other Indians guarded by the com
mand, reached Fort Bowie Sept s, taking the
train for st. Augustine, Fla. The same day
thirty nine Apaches were captured, and seven
were left in the country-three men, three wom-
en- and one child-besides about two hundred
others who are friendly and on their reserve.
The day after their surrender grandchild Of
Geronimo was born. When two days old its
mother was rrudsing along the road as if moth
ing had happened"
The Chiricahua and Warm Spring Indians.
ALBUQUERQUE, N. NJ, Sept. 12.-General