The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-01-16

/
ory will serve Gatewood told it to the
present writer in LaWton's room in the
Equitable building and in this fashion:
Il asked the captain to let me go
| ahead of him with a small squad, as
knew the Indian language, and I also
| knew Geronimo. L argued that the small
er the command the more prospect of the
/ Indians allowing US to approach for a
! pow-wow. In four days I saw the smoke
! from their campfire and that same even
! ing walked into the camp. 1 had left the
! squad at the foot of the hill on which
| they were. I told Geronimo that Captain
/ Lawton-he knew Lawton-was about two
! days behind me and was coming for him.
! On reflection the old man decided to go
back with me, and back we went That
is all there was to it. The hard work was
done before we could get near him, not
when we took Geronimo. [ did not fire a
! shot. I did not carry anything to shoot
Lawton story was more in detail He
was very proud of Gatewood-he was a
pet of all who knew him-and always,
would mention and tell of the capture of
Geronimo whenever it was suggested that
he Qawton) had done it, Lawton's ac-
count was to the effect that, when Gate
wood and his four men got where they
could the smoke arising above the tops
of the timber Gatewood told his men to
prepare to spend the night where they
were and to take care OF his arms All
volunteered to accompany him on his
stroll up the camp as he put it, but
GatewoOd pointed out the danger of their
being shot down by the scouts. He never
once mentioned the possibility Of his own
going to grass.
AS soon as he got into the timber Gate
wood began to whistle loudly and to sing
snatches of. songs. This he did to show
the scouts he was not trying to crowl up
on them He was permitted to get with
in talking distance of the tepees before
being first halted. Asked what he want
ed, Gatewood replied that, first, he want
ed his breakfast and next, he wanted
Geronimo He had eaten nothing during
the day, hence his request for breakfast. /
Tell Geronimo it is Gatewood" he con-
tinued, land 1 want something to eat"
Geronimo who evidently knew well that |
Gatewood meant no harm, and that there |
would be no volley from below as such |
thing would mean Gatewood's own death, |
If not from the rifles of his own men, then |
at least at the hands of the Indians, |
came out Of his tepee.
He was the dirtiest devil ever saw in |
my life" Gatewood always interpcsed |
here In his leisurely way GatewoQd ex-
planned how it was Four men were four
hours march below, and Lawton two /
DAYS behind, and Crook still further
back. II want you to go in with me to /
Captain Lawton. Geronimo he said,
land then we san talk it over"
Alone he ate his meal, then became an
Indian himself. He declined to talk shop
that night The meal the hunt the
weather. the claims Of rival scouts and
his own pretensions in that line; all these
things Gatewood says they talked Of, the
being that Geronimo was
to think it over and give his decision next
morning. That night Gatewood slept on
dried leaves. with the dew for his ban-
Ilet. He had been careful not 10 carry
blanket as an Indian always associated a
hidden rife with a blanket. Next morn
ing. bright and early, the meal was serv-
ed. devoured ana preparations made to
move camp. Geronimo had decided to so
back with the lieutenant.
II is true that when Lawton saw Ger
onimo he told the Indian he had no terms
to offer but that he ought 10 be hanged.
but Gatewood SAYS he offered the In
dams absolutely no terms whatever.
you know" the general was wont 10
remark. THAT gang ordinarily would
have shot Gatewood for his impertinence,
If not suspicion of treachery. He says
he slept souudly al might. The wonder
IS they did not slip him and move of
during the night. Geronimo never liked
him before. Several times Gatewood had
censured the old man rather severely.
That made the feat all the more daring
Gatewood died two years ago AZ Cape
Nav. The government had RETAINED
from putting him on the retired list. and
50. on half pay. admitting his services
entitled him 10 a larger pension, For
that reason it was understood he was TO
remain on the active list until he should
attain his majority aad then be retired
with that more ample pension.
Supplementary the idea of his great
personal bravery which has just been ex-
plotted. il may be OF interest TO relate
how I.awton's subaltern became incapacl-
lated for further service. Fire broke out
n the barracks in which he happened to
be living al the time and it threatened |
% make It's way 20 the ammunition
To prevent this. It was de-
,ided 10 blow up intervening buildings,
iatewoed issued thJe order and ordered
/. detail. Scarcely had the detail started
Onward then the lieutenant appreciated
ne magazine might blew up while they
we're near ii. and they themselves lose
heir lives. Thereup1n he called tae u2eD
,ack. rushed in himself, fred the selected
,uildiags-but an was too late The
blew Up. ard Gatewood's arm
vas shattered, Thereafter ha was anit
or cavalry or otEer service.