Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1893-03-24
GERONIMO.

Correspon dence OF Plattsburr Republican.
Genonimo is the leading character
among these people. He is no longer
savage in appearance or dress. |
have met him often. He gave me
call a Sunday or two ago, with his
wife, quite young sQuaw, and their
child. All bad a holiday look, and
the chief, a man Of 60 or more years,
instead Of compelling his squaw to
carry the baby, clean, good looking
one, in the usual papoose cradle or
hamper, on her back, was hauling it
himself, in a child's little express wag-
on and seemed quite proud of the en-
ployment. Geronimo is large, well
formed man, with good head and
strong Apache features, with a keen
and crafty look in the eyes, and GER
tain dignity of bearing indicating a
man of authority and self respect.
He and Eskiminzin are not in accord,
but as between the two men / would
regard the latter us the more trust
worthy man, but the confidence and
favor of those having charge here
seem to rest more on Geronimo, and
the school janitor, Chihuahua, who has
become a awell dressed and very affable
and mild hammered man. Genonimo
has an eye to thrift, and can drive
sharp bargain with his bows and ar
rows, and quivers and canes, and 9TH
er work, in which he is skillfdl. He
prides himself upon his Autograph.
written thus, GERONIMO, which he
affixes to what he sells, usually asking
an extra price for it, He had a curl
GUS headdress, which he called and
Mr.. Wratten says, was his war bonnet.
1t is sort of skull cap o. buckskin,
profuSely and tastefully adorned with
beads and thirteen silver ornaments
representing the sun, moon and stars,
and surmounted by beaded cross be-
tween two horn like ornaments, the
cross being the symbol of his baptism
into Christianity, which l am told has
been five times performed. He SEEM
ed to value this bonnet highly, but
finally, in his need or greed for money,
offered it for sale for S25-his wife
strongly objecting. 1 finally bought
it for much less price, with large
bead necklace, which goes with it.
and possess this souvenir Of the old
chief who gave the 4th United States
cavalry so much trouble to keep him,
and has made an interesting chapter
in our Indian experience. | asked
him to write his name in the bonnet
and offered him pen for the purpose,
but he declined the pen and went out
and cut small, dry twig, which he
Sharpened to fine p9int, and then
very slowly and with much painstak-
ing, prited his name with the stick
dipped in ink. This is the extent of
his writing. He processes not to un-
derstand or speak English and is
talked with by signs. Under the mill
tary authority he is justice of the
peace or judge among his people here,
trying the cases of their petty Offend
ers, etc. He is severe in his iudg-
ments and began with a sentence of
six months confinement in the guard
house to man for getting drunk, and
in another more aggravated case, SEN
fenced the offender to one hundred
years Imprisonment, but under com
petent authority and instruction he is
becoming more lcnient in his judg-
ments. Adorned with his war bonnet
and necklace the old chief is a pictur-
esque figure, and has his share OF per-
sonal vanity. Those who claim to
know say he was not a war chief but
a medicine man, unique character of
much Influence i'm Indian life