Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1900-02-01
Saint NarJ's BeacIcq.
LIEUTENANT GATEWOOD
CAPTURED GERONIMO.
From the Republic.

country the story of his capture of
Geronimo. So long as he was alive
and cognizant of the reports the
General was exasperated. Indeed,
he always went to the extremity to
say he was Inundated. Not longer
ago than in September he gave an
interview to correspondent of a
San Francisco paper, wherein he
was reported as saying
cit is all a mistake to say /
caught Geronimo. Gatewood did. "
And so Gatewood did. Lawton,
it is true, was in command of the
detachment which brought the In
dian chief in, and under him was
Lieutenant Gatewood. Lawton had
left the main command to follow
up the Indians trail. la due time
Gatewood left Lawton's command
for the same purpose.
The last time these two men were
together was, when in 1895, Law
ton was on the staff Of Major GEN
eral McCook at headquarters Of the
Department of the Colorado. Gate
wood was in Denver awaiting re-
tirement, still a young man, but
incapacitated for further service.
Lawton was Assistant Inspector
General. While together Lawton
disclaiming and Gatewood admit.
ting, the story of what is said to be
the bravest Indian work done in
this age, was told. As nearly as
memory will serve Gatewood told it
to the present writer in Lawton's
room in the Equitable building and
in this fashion
81 asked the Captain to let me
60 ahead Of him with a small squad,
as | knew the Indian language, and
| also knew Geronimo. | argued
that the smaller the command the
more prospect of the Indians al
lowing US to approach for pow
WOW. In four days saw the smoke
from their camp fire and the same
evening walked alone into the camp.
had left the squad on the foot Of
the bill on which they we're. | told
Geronimo that Captain LAYTON
he knew Lawton-was about two
days behind me and coming for
him. On reflection the old man
decided to 90 back with me, and
back we went. That ia 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. did not carry any.
thing to shoot"
Lawton's story was more in de-
tail. He was very proud Of Gate
wood--he was pet Of all who knew
him-and always would mention
and tell Of the capture Of Gcroni-
mo whenever it was suggested that
he (Lawton) had done it. Law.
toms account was TO the effect that,
when Gatewood and his four men
got where they could see smoke ris
ing above the tops of the timber
Gatewood told his men to prepare
to spend the night whore 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 beng shot down by
the scouts.
He never once mentioned the
possibility Of his own going 10 grass
AS soon as he got into the timber
Gatewood began to whistle loudly
and to sing snatches of songs. This
he did to show the scouts that he
was not trying to crawl up on them.
lie was permitted to get within
talking distance of the tepees be-
fore being first halted. Asked what
he wanted, Gatewood replied that,
first, he wanted his breakfast and
next, he wanted Geronimo.
He had eaten nothing during the
day, hence his request for breakfast.
"rell Geronimo it is Gatewood, ("
he continued, "and | want some
thing TO eat"
Geronimo, who evidently knew
well that Gatewood meant no harm
and that there would be no voley
from below. as such thing would
mean Gatewood's own death, if not