River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1890-07-10
GERONlMO'S CAMP.
q Glimpse at the Captive Apache Chiefs
HOme In Alabama

Home in Alabama.
It would be difficult to find any thing
more picturesque and interesting than
is the camp of the Chiricahua Apache
Indians now held as prisoners of war at
Mount Vernon Barracks. Alabama 1t
consists of hundred or more cabins and
a few scattered wigwams, which the
older women have been unable TO aban-
don. Geronimo, who foiled our army
again and again, is seated in front of
his cabin, beading a whip, and with an
overcOat on, the cape of which is lined
with the artillery red; nor has he so far
neglected artistic effect as not TO have
| the most perfect harmony exist between
! the lining of the cape and his COM
/ plexion. His favorite squaw sits at his
/ feet. almost invariably cooking pump
/ kins. for which her master has an in
/ satiable appetite. Not far off is Na-chiz
with the yellow of the cavalry. and few
| cavalFymen could wear it with more mill
itary grace and dignity than does he.
Groups ot boys are playing marbles,
their long. black hair set off by bright
red jerkin, or hat with a gorgeous
/ piece Of calico tied around il and orna-
mented with numerous white pins. Per-
haps they still cling to Apache taste,
/ and wear feather. Their trousers re-
quire frequent pulls to keep them from
/ taking French leave, and, indeed, one
small urchin has evidently either not
/ had time to make his morning toilet, or
I else regards clothes as an absurd lido
! syncrasy of civilization for his sole
adornment is a necktie. The girls,
with gown appalingly decollete, but
/ decked with beads and charms innumer-
able, scorn so infantile an amusement
as marbles. and are frequently seen
gambling away their ornaments with as
much. if not more, zeal than their moth
ers could. The women are performing
every kind of work, fetching wood and
water, preparing the food, scrubbing
their unfortunate children in the open
air, or washing their own hair:
others have obviously concluded
that cleanliness is indeed godli-
ness, and for the first time prob
ably in six months every thing wear
able within their reach is in the wash
tub; three or four shivering youngsters,
almost, if not quite, nude, stand wait
.ng until their clothes shall be ready,
which they viii put on-stin wet.
The cabins have as a rule two floored
rooms, joined by kind of inclosed
court, il the middle of which the fire is
built; the smoke is usually so dense
that it requires several moments for
one's eyes TO become sufficiently accus-
toned to IL to discern the objects around
one. When at length the smoke fog
lifts a little, two squaws can be seen
rambling in one corner, while third is
making bread. The master is seated in
the one chair, half asleep and the
babies are conveniently disposed of in
heir baskets standing against the wall.
The raw beef is hanging up to dry and
Toes not much improve the unpleasant
odor that prevails Calm contentment
apparently reigns, which is really re-
markable when one considers that man
frequently has two, and sometimes
three, wives living in the same cabin.
Much is being done for the civiliza-
lion and improvement of the Apache
Every morning from eight TO eleven
o'clock the children are instructed, and
later the men. Ia the afternoon there
is a singing school for the children.
which has been of untold benefit in en-
.arging their vocabulary in a pleasant
/ manner.
A bath-house has been established by
The children's teacher and, although it
vas at first thought quite impracticable,
has proved the reverse. as on the first
Saturday that it was in working order
some twenty boys and six or seven
women, with their smaller children, APP
peared eager TO begin work. The chief
difficulty is that all wish to take the
bath, and then. with their clothes tied
up in the towel, return home to dress
Valiant Julico, in n. Y. Times