The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-04-04
Letters to The Editor.
ABOUT MOUNT VERNON.
"Reminiscences of Geronimo, the
 Apache Chief.

Editor The Advertiser
 Tn todays Advertiser there appears an article about Mt. Vernon barracks, by ". A. B. of Tuscaloosa In it is made the statement that they had been aban- doned by the Federal soldiers since 1885, :" This is an error. In 1889. four years later than the date given. the writer was constant visitor to Mt. Vernon, and in lss0 resided there. and at that time the soldiers, either artillery, cavalry or in fsntry, were there, as We're the Apache Indians. about 400 in number.
 Another statement fsI That the latest occupants were Geronimo and his band of Apache Indians" The Indians were not kept within the dnclosure. The officers and troops were inside the wall, and the Indians resided outside. in their houses built of logs, or in the summer time they spent much time in tents and booths. Water from General Jackson's Spring" under the bluff vase onveyed throughout the Indian settlement by means of an en- zine and pipes. The only white man who dwelt among the Indians was Mir. George Rattan. the interpreter, whose Western garb and 'haar falling down upon his shoulders attracted much attention from passengers upon the train, the station being about half mile from the bar racks
 Geronimo. the famous chief was a large man, weighing about 200 pounds, and had a dish face" differing from the other Indians. whose cheek bones were very prominent. When he added paint to his face. which he usually placed there when there was an excursion to Mt. Yer non. and at which times he always liked to attract attention, he looked wary for midable. Fl } is the best known, but he was not the only chief, or ''ex-chief' there among the Indians. Chihuahua was one of these, and while not so "social' with visitors as Geronimo, was conspic- uous figure. A part of his apparel was a military coat with epaulets upon the shoulders, and his headgear was a beaver, while his hair only reached little below his coat collar. much shorter than the others. Loko and Nannay wer ex-chiefs, and Natchez, about the hand somest Indian in the camp. and for whom as well as for Geronimo, a large reward had been offered by the government. was another chieftain. "DutchY" a govern ment Apache scout, who was killed in a fight there with soldier. was like a bloodhound when set upon the trail of q fugitive.
 The Indians were allowed much freedom during the day. and sold many trinkets to passengers who desired some memento of their sight of the famous Apaches. Chief among these traders. was Geronimo, the erstwhile bloodthirsty brave. He put his name upon his wares. and it was val uable trademark. The old warrior could write his name, at least, and was very proud of the accomplishment.
 The writer was standing at the depot one day with pamphlet in his hand: when Geronimo approached dn social manner. From the writer upper coat pocket protruded the end of a pencil Reaching over in a neghborly way, the old chief. who was there to drive bar gains with passengers on the incom- ing train, extracted the pencil, then made sign for the pamphlet. It was handed to him, and upon blank space ne be- gan writing his name, making slowly letter after letter. all capitals like plain newspaper type. When it was completed the interested spectator pronounced his name. which seemed to please the war rior SO much that he turned a page anc wrote it again. The characters were tden' tical with those appearing upon the bows and other articles for sale which he had