The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-09-17
LOADED FOR THEM
HOW GERONIMO'S APACHES WERE
tanned.

Captain Scott Of Fort Sill 10 Represented ~
the Right Man In the Right Piace-How
He wnted Geronimo's Vanity Without
Unnecessarily HumilIating the Old
Keprobate, and How He Worked the
Indians Over by Setting the Head Men
to Work For Him and For Themselves
The Captains Able Assistants
Fort Sill, o. T, Sept. 1s.-It has al
ready been remarked that in choosing
sites for the Apache villages, Captain
Scott gave much latitude to the judge
ment Of the head men. This suggests
another chapter of the story.
Two courses lie open TO every agent or
other officer who takes charge Of a band
Of Indians. He finds them organized
under certain leadership. There will
perhaps be war chief, peace chief. sew
eral suo-chiefs, head men and the like.
He may promptly dispose Of thtse dig
nitarics and announce himself as the
Sole source OF authority, calling no coun-
SilS, dShiil5 d0NANC, anu iOOhAhS AO
interference. On the other hand ne may
place himself wholly outside Of the Or
ganization, refer everything to the lead
crs, Issue mis- communications through
them and, by deferring to their wishes
i'll al matters, add to the authority they
already possess the sanction of govern
ment support. In deciding al the out
set what attitude he shall take toward
the existing organiza ton, ne may make
unvarying rule can be laid down, apph-
cable 10 all Indians and all conditions.
In some instances the prominent men,
bers OF a tribe have been so spoiled by
timid Or time-serving agents that 10 give
any reign whatever means to surrender
all hope OF advancing their followers in
civilization. In other cases il is the con-
sentative, wise, steadyheaded oldmen on
whom the agent must lean in trying to
keep the younger generation out Of vice
and crime, while the so-called 'progres-
sive" element are lyending themselves,
often under the guise Of religion, to
every scheme for making money out OF
their flesh and blood. 1t therefore be-
hooves the white officer n command to
SAUuy well lllc III WHICH ne
finds his Indians, and to shape his con-
duct accordingly.
Captain Scott, in ldeiagnHTHTHTTT
Captain Scott, in dealing with his
Apaches, has taken a shrewd middle
course. He has neither ignored the lead
ers of the band nor abdicated in their
favor, but has simply made use Of the
instruments nature and circumstances
placed in his hand. The Apaches, like
other tribes in nomadic state, undoub-
tedly choose their chiefs and head men
for some inherent quality or leadership.
This trait in an Indian chief may not al
awys present a phase of virtue to our
more enlightened view. His stoical in
difference 10 suffering Of mis- own, which
challenges our admiration, may be asso-
ciated with the most revolving cruelty
toward others; his brilliant generalship
il the field may have for its companion
piece q degree Of treachery which would
disgrace the meanest of spies; his gen.
crosby in giving away his last rag of
clothing or ear OF corn TO his followers
may De coupled with uncommon skill and
prowess as a thief. But, be that as 1t
may. the fact that he towers above all
his fellows in one thing or in many has
made him marked figure: and if he is
read to recognize the fact that he is
only n lieutenant and not in command,
he may be made very useful to the white
man over him.
Acting upon this theory Captain Scott
recognized the position of sew
eral OF the leading men in the Chiraca-
hue band, but he did II with discretion.
When the Indians fret came to Fort Sill,
for insurance. Geronimo was considered
bed here, as ne had been both in Ala
bama and Floriia, by sightseers, who
owuld often bring him presents for the
honor OF shaking his hand. This was
precisely what ought not 10 be done, s
ii tended merely to keep the old Indians
vanity in full blast, and 10 give him
false and damaging Importance among
the younger members Of the tribe, Cap
.ain SOFT quickly gave orders that ali
such folly should seize. He did not COM
NIT the opposite error OF needlessly hui
the fellow. and thus stamping
him as a martyr; but quietly and unos-
longed, gave him distinctly to under
stand that he was simply an ordinary
prisoner OF war. and that the govern
mert would require the same good be-
nav!or of him in every respect as it re-
1uired OF the humblest member OF the
band. and then left the situation 10 work
out its own conclusion. Stripped Of his
Fictitious distinction, Geronimo soon
ceased TO be the greaT man OF the band.
He worked with the rest. 9 hard and as
effectively as his advanced years would
permit Il would be fattery to say that
he accepted this change Of status with
alac-ity, or even that he submitted 10 It
with a wholly cheerful grace. But he
did submit. ana that was all his custod-
ian demanded OF MIN. The young men
Of the band witnessed his descent in
glory. and were fully impressed. They
observed, also, that those other leaders
who sat than the best example in a1ap
tibility and thrift received just recog-
milton g; the hands OF the government
Captain Scot, obtained permission 20
enlist the head men, including Geroni-
mo. as scouts. without reference TO their
ass or physical condition. The scouts
have been duly uniformed in army-blue
and brass. One of them is without an
eye: a second is lame, a third bow-,eg-
-ad, and various other defects which
would rule them cut IL they Offered them
selves to- enlistment, as regular troops
are over looked under the circumstances.
The point . be gained was 10 conmi:
the leaders 10 the service - the govern |
-nent. but them distinctly on their met
tie command their influence for good |
among their own people, teach them nat
there was more real eninence 10 be |