The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1903-12-31
MELON CONVERTS
Geronimo's Conversion Recalls AZ
Amusing Reminiscence.


Amusing Reminiscence.
Gift Of watermelons to Two Con-
verts Who Had Been Baptixed
Crested a Misapprehension
Among Rest of the Tribe.
The news OF the conversion to Chris
tianity, and the baptism of the cele-
brated Apache chief, Geronimo, recalls
some interesting episodes in the his
tory of the old warrior and his people
After many years of almost constant
depredations upon American frontier
settlements, these Bedouins of the bor-
der mountains of the southwest were
captured, while on one of their pre-
datory excursions, by troops under
Gen. Miles. Soon after their capture
the general caused the entire tribe,
men, women and children, to be,
marched to the nearest railroad station
and shipped thence bodily by rail out
Of the reach of the mountain region in
which they had previously found con-
cealment.
The tribe reached Fort Leavenworth,
Kan, in due time and was placed in
camp on the military reservation. For
a time the Indians seemed we'll con-
tented, but they grew restless at length
and many of them began to wander
about at distance from their camp,
hoping, doubtless, to escape observa-
ton Of the guards and eventually be
able to make dash for liberty.
The war department being advised
of these indications determined to an
ticipate such possible venture by send
| ing the tribe still further away from
| their old haunts. Mt. Vernon bar
racks, Ala, was selected for the pur-
pose and the Indians were at once
| hurried to this historic place, where
they were placed in log cabins built in
the pine forests adjoining the barracks.
| In this forest, and under the same
| trees, doubtless, an American force
under Gen. Wilkinson encamped for
some time in 1913, previous to his cap
ture OF Mobile from its Spanish gar
rison.
Indian village and two or three Ameri-
can teachers were employed to instruct
the children. An army chaplain was
ordered to- the village to superintend
| the school and instruct the Indians in
the elements of Christian ethics.
1 hn ho only OF hn xu0c
risoned by the United States troops,
and chaplain was on duty with them.
The two chaplains from the first were
Jealous in their efforts to convert the
Indians to Christianity, and labored
among them untiringly with that OBJ
ject in view The efforts of one Of the
reverend gentlemen were at last
crowned with some success. and cou-
pie of Indian warriors expressed de-
sire to live Christian lives. The chap
lain warmly welcomed the converts
and in time, when they had given sat
isfactory evidence Of change oi
heart, advised that they should bs
baptised. The rite was finally accom-
plished in the presence of many of tn.
Indians, who had assembled in tht
school house for public worship.
On the following day a planter
passed through the village with a Loaf
Of watermeloEs for sale. The chaplain
on duty with the Indians purchased
several melons from the man and pre-
sented one each to the new converts
who happened to be with him at tn,
time.
The act was prompted purely b.
kindness. but it was not SO understoo'
by the simple minded people. TIL
, news spread quickly through the vii
lage that the converts, Hard -Smelle
and Straight-Horn, had been rewarde
by gift for receiving the rite of bap
tism. The tribe rose to its feet as on
man, metaphorically speaking, and ez
pressed it's willingness to accept tn
rite on the same terms. Hard-Smelle
and his companion endeavored to col
rect the misrepresentation. but the pee
pie refused to believe them. They ha
been caught in the act Of accepting
gift from the chaplain, and no otht
. cause for this exceptional kindness, e.
!, cept their submission. to baptism, ws
: apparent to the untutored mind of tt
poor Apaches.
Both chaplains were Immediate
q thereafter subjected to liberal propo
ais, wholesale and retail. by Indial
= who desired to submit to the rite
: baptism for a consideration similar
/. that which they believed had been a
: corded to Hard-Smeller and his doug
q ty companion.
+ The failure of the Indians to dri
4 the bargains they proposed, and Il
= lapse OF the watermelon season sot
after the Hard-Smeller incident, b;
n doubtless much to do with the suspe
sion Of interest suddenly awakened
the teachings of the chaplains. At
events but few conversions or ba
i tisms thereafter rewarded their labc
4 while the Indians remained at Mt VI