Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-01-29
BAD AND GOOD INDIANS
The Apache Settlement at Mt Vernon,
Alabama


Post ONCE Inspector John p. Clum, who
recently spent some time at the camp of the
renegade Apaches at Mt. Vernon barracks,
Alabama, was in the lobby Of the National
Hotel last night. To a reporter for The
Star he said: Il can't talk postal matters
but 1 will tell you an Indian story. You
know am part Apache. that is. a part Of
my life was spent with those Indians, and
when left them I'm 1877 1 was on friendly
terms with nearly all the Apaches on the
San Carlos reservation-then numbering
over 5000. There were several Indians.
however, with whom I sustained what
might be termed strained relations Among
these We're Geronimo and Francisco. two
noted southern Chiricahua Apache rene
gades, who, with several others, had by
the AID OF my Indian police captured at
90 Caliente. New Mexico in April 1877
After these Indians had been securely iron
cd treated them to a delightful ride I'm a
prairie schooner over the mountains to San
Carlos. Arizona-a distance of about 500
miles-where they were safely deposited in
the agency guard house. Well, left those
Indians In the guard house in irons IN 1877
and did not see them again till last week
Visit to Mt. Vernon.
Il was down in Alabama and took a day
on and visited the Apaches who are now
held as prisoners of war at Mt Vernon
barracks. Yes, i saw Geronimo, but he
was not in irons. He did not insist on re-
tanning the manacles with which / had
presented him. They were taken off soon
after l left the agency in "a. You know
HIS subsequent history. He left the reser-
walton two or three times on raids. In 1881
and 1855 l was with parties of citizens who
followed his trail to the Mexican line In
1856 he made his final stand and surrender
ed 10 Gen. Miles, when he and his entire
band OF renegades, men, women and chill
dren, were sent to Florida. Later they
were transferred to their present location
In Alabama. L have always contended that
the old renegade deserved a much severer
punishment than he received. but that's
another story, as Kipling would say. The
mortality among these Indians for a year
or two after their removal from Arizona
was very great, and but little was done 10
better their condition until about three
years ago, when they were placed under
the care Of Capt. Wetherspoon Of the regu-
lar army. II Is true that these Indians
were exiled Apache renegades. but IL was
Capt Wetherspoon's duty to receive them
as prisonerssof war OF a civilized nation,
and his wise and humane management Of
this little colony Of red men and the bene-
fetal results already secured cannot be too
highly commended. The Indians have been
located in permanent camp or settlement
on a ridge about half a mile west of the
military post.
The Indian Homes.
'Seventy-five frame houses have been con-
structed and each Indian family is now
provided with a comfortable home Each
house is divided into two rooms, in one of
which is a large cooking range and In the
other a comfortable fireplace.
Il was invited to inspect a number of the
houses. and was surprised at the absolute
cleanliness required of and observed by
these Indians. Every Saturday is house
cleaning day. and when the official inspec-
ton Is made each Sunday morning there
must not be found enough dust to soil a
white glove The women do creditable
Laundry work, and the bed linen and all
the articles Of wearing apparel are kept
scrupulously clean. The Indians have
adopted the civilized style Of dress. and the
men have had their hair cut short. / was
told that the hair cutting was perfectly
voluntary. In the matter of personal clean
illness all the Indians are required to battle
at least once week. and / was informed
that Nahchee and one or two others of the
indian soldiers take their daily bath with
as much care, regularity and evident sat-
lsfaction as the most exquisite Of the 400
This Is certainly marked contrast with
the wills 'wicke-up' life of a renegade
BY the way" said Mr.. Clum, there are
some interesting pages in the history Of
this young chief Nahchee. His brother
Tahzay, is buried in the Congressional
cemetery. Tahzay was here with me in
1876. and died of pneumonia. Nahchee
shows disposition to pulmonary trouble
The father of these boys was Cochise. the
stalwart old warrior after whom Cochise
county In Arizona is named.
Indian Soldiers.
"A company Of infantry has been enlisted
from these Indians, which is commanded
by Capt Wetherspoon. The company quar-
tiers, mess hall, amusement rooms and
gymnasium are located on the same ridge
with the houses. and form a part of the
Indian village. Strict military discipline is
observed with this company and perfect
order and cleanliness was manifest The
company drills once and sometimes twice
daily, and is said to be proficient in the
manual of arms and company evolutions
All commands are given in English. About
once a week this Indian company drills
with the white troops in battalion drill
There is guard house at the settlement,
and all refractory Indians are arrested
by the Indian soldiers and all prisoners are
guarded by them. Geronimo now occupies
the position of alcalde or justice of the
peace, and all cases of minor offenses are
tried before him. His decisions have given
general satisfaction. He has sentenced
which is. / think, about long a time as
the old man was ever in confinement him
self at one time There is a good school
adjacent to the settlement, under the d.
rection of two efficient teachers, where all
children are afforded the advantages of an
English education. About fifty of the chill
dren from this colony are now at the Car
Isle school. These Indian prisoners of war
are virtually on parole. They are not con-
fined or guarded and are allowed to come
and go when and where they please, pro-
vided only that their conduct is proper
AS 1 said before, discipline is enforced by
the Indians themselves. The men are al
lowed to work out by the day whenever
they can find employment, and some of the
women do washing for the soldiers.
THE Indian soldiers. OF course, get the pay
and allowances of regulars. Many OF them
do bead and basket work and old Geronimo
picks up many dollar by selling bows and
arrows which he embellishes with his name
He also disposes OF photographs of himself
at q cents apiece Several other Indian
chiefs. we'll known in New Mexico and Ari-
IONA, are at Mt. Vernon. Among them are
Nan-Nay now almost blind. and Chihua-
hua, who is badly shot up about the arms
but who is now recognized as the dude
ard politician of the camp. The more re-
cent acquisitions to the colony are Cant
Chiquito and my old friend Esklminzin
whose history Is as Interesting as IL is sad
may tell you about him at some other
time. / believe that Eslsiminz'n Is held a
prisoner of war under a INSTRUMENTATION
of the facts, and / am satisfied that Cant.
Wetherspoon shares this opinion with me
Eskiminzin now has charge Of the Inaians'
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