St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-10-12
GALLANT GATEWOOD.
The True Story of Geronimo's Capturs
For the First Time Given to
The Public.
The Apache Chief and His Band Found
Encamped Near Village in
Mexico.
Alone and Unarmed Lieut.. Gate
wood Sought Out the Border
Warrior,
And Brought About His Uncondi-
GIOnaI Surrender to the
Authorities.
Geronimo,s capitu1asion.

WASHINGTON, Oct 11.-Gen. Niles an
nual report as commander of the military
department of Arizona and New Mexico,
which has been received at the war depart
ment, is voluminous document, contain
ing full history of the operations against
Geronimo and his band, together with a
statement Of his position in regard to the
terms Of surrender. 1t is learned that this
part of his report sets forth infinitely the
official orders received by him; his own or
ders placing Capt. Lawton in immediate
command; the system of signaling adopted,
ETC., and afterward reciteS substantially
the following details:
Some days prior to the surrender a deserter
from Geronimo's camp came into Gen. Miles
camp with the information that the renegades
were short OF food, clothes and ammunition,
and were nearly exhausted and could not
hold out much longer. Thereupon Gen.
Miles ordered Lieut.. Gatewood, who
KNEW GERONIMO AND NATCHEz
well, aud spoke the Apache language, to take
guard of two men, obtain parley if posi-
bic with Geronimo and see if he would sur
render. This mission Lieut.. Gatewood ac-
complished successfully. He informed Ger
onimo, in answer to the chiefs question, that
he had no authority to offer him terms. Ger
onimO then asked to be taken to Capt, Law
ton, who was in the immediate neighborhood.
This was done, and on repeating the question
asked Lieut.. GatewOod, Capt. Lawton told
him that he could make no terms and ne must
surrender. Geronimo then wanted to see
Gen. Miles, aud both parties. Capt. LawtOn
and command, and Lieut.. Gatewood and Ger
onimo, Natchez and their band, set out for
the North, travelling for some days on parallel
lines and within sight of each other. In the
meantime messenger had been sent ahead
to notify Gen. Miles of their approach. On
coming into Gen. Miles camp Geronimo
as before, asked what terms would be
given him ii he surrendered. The general
replied that he had no terms to offer; that if
he and his band surrendered at all they must
surrender as prisoners of war; that they
must lay down their arms and trust the pres
iGent OF the United States. Upon this Geron-
imO laid down his arms and sgnifed his will
ingness to surrender, but Natchez, who has
in the meantime,
KEPT OUT OF REACH
and refused to come in, sent word that he
wanted to go to the White mountains for
month, whereupon Geronimo went out after
Matches, and soon returned with him. &C.
ronimo, in explanation and justification of
his conduct, said that he left the reservation
for the reason that there was conspiracy
afoot there, headed by Chatto to murder
him. Geronimo, Natchez and two others
were loaded into an ambulance wagon, fol-
Capt. Lawton, and taken to Fort Bowie sta
ton and shipped to Texas.
Gen. Miles, in his report, argues at some
length the question of punishment, and
called attention to the fact that heretofore
in such cases removal had been deemed
sufficient. He cites several cases in which
no greater punishment has been inflicted,
speaks of the great good done Arizona by
their removal, and suggests that they be
treated as other Indians have been treated
under similar circumstances. He highly
compliments Capt. LawtOn, Lieut.. Gate
wood and the officers and soldiers generally
for their merltOrlouS services during the
campaign. From an army friend of Lieut..
Gatew0od it is learned that he found Ger
OnimO and his band encamped near the
Mexican town of Fronteras, in Sonora, an
old Mexican adobe hamlet, surrounded by
an adobe wall 1t was at one time a
mission settlement founded by the Jesuits.
When Lieut.. Gatewood came upon the band
he left his guards and alone walked into
Geronimo's camp. On seeing the intruder
the Indians
SEIZED THEIR ARMS,
but on the lieutenant layingsdown his arms
and reckoning to Geronimo. whom he re-
cognlzed the Indians also laid down their
themselves On pile of stones Geronimo
wanted to know what kind of man Gen.
Miles was; whether he talked fast or slow;
whether he was large man and what was
his general appearance. He wanted to
know all about him. Gatewood replied that
Gen. Miles had bright eye and did not
talk much, but could be relied on. The In
dian was much pleased with this assurance.
and together they walked away to find
Capt. Lawton. Gov. Zulick. of Arizona, is
in the city, and this afternoon had long
interview with the president, presumably
concerning the question of Geronimo's pun
shment, but when questioned as to the re-
suit of the interview and his opinion of
Gen. Miles report, he stated that as to the
first question, his interview was of conf
dental nature and not for the public. and
as to the second question he did not care to
discuss report of which he knew nothing.
He stated, however. that he had great con-
fidence in Gen. Miles Judgment and sol
dierly qualities. and believed him to be a
brave and faithful officer.