The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1922-03-12
SUPERSTITION
WASD0WNFALL
OF Big Chief
Geronimo Saw Sun Reflec-
tion on White Mans Face
and Became Frightened
With Gun in Hand

CHlCAGO-Superstition resulted in
the surrender of Geronimo, the famous
lhdlan. and the Apache Kid used the
first smoke screen recorded in this
country. according to Col. Fred owens
N Chicago. a noted Texas ranger of
half century ago.
Colonel Owens. an old circus man,
who earned his title as ranger, COW.
poE' broncho buster. pony express rider
and participant in many wlld.west pur.
suits, including those Of Geronimo and
the Kid. made these assertions here
in recital of his life, which has been
crammed full of action and narrow
escapes that read like the passages
from an old dime novel.
, Fred owens when years old was
missing from his home in Flemings.
burg. Ky, one morning in 1859. He
had gone west.
Al is. or in 1858, he became a
Texas ranger and made such a mark
for himself that he was sent TO the
Centennial al Philadelphia with other
rangers 10 represent the Lone Star
state. In 1S7S79.S0 he was detailed
TO the pony express through No Mans
Land, or the Indian Territory. He
was never held up, but many times
outrode bandits bent on possessing the
yaluables he carried.
He Becomes Ranger.
In 1881 he took the saddle again as
an active ranger. About that time
Geronimo. the most willy chief that
ever gave the American army trouble,
was getting bad in west Texas. I'm
Ill Geronlmos capture in the hills
back of Chihuahua Mexico. Colonel
Owens was material part Of his pur-
suit And ne tells story of the In.
dams capture that may not be part
OF the records of the war department
because Geronimo had few friends
among white men. The colonel was
one Of these few.
In after years Geronimo told him
why he surrendered to the white man,
and II is a story Of the Indians super
stitious nature. Geronimo's pursuers
numbered among them a Captain Hill.
ldebrand. When the Indian was driven
into the hills and the chase became
hot, Hildebrands command was crawl.
ing over the crags towards the red
ekin's stronghold. Just before his sur
render Geronimo caught sight OF the
race OF Captain Hildebrand and was
ready to fire. Then a bright light
flashed over the officers features.
This the Indian could not fathom, and
II drove all the fight out of him.
In those days troopers in the army
were resourceful men. A private in
the advancing line had seen point
of vantage and thought his captain
should know Of. It, To move or TO
call would reveal his position to the
Indians. Yet he must get the atten.
ton of Captain Hildebrand. Taking
a small mirror from his pocket he
caught the rays OF the sun. These
reflected on the face of Hildebrand,
rhesa in imminent danger OF Geroni-
mos rifle. But the flash beat the
indians trigger finger. He saw the
wonderful. bright light, and thought
II q message from Heaven TO Identity
Captain Hidebrand as the Great Spirit
Geronimo ran up his flag OF truce
merely stlpulating that he should not
be hung or shot for his outrages If he
surrendered. His terms were accepted
Apache Kid Raids.
In 1854 the Apache Kid. half breed
outlaw. and his band were marauding
in west Texas. The Apache Kid was
OF the same tribe. but not related to
Geronimo. Yet he possessed all the
wiles and savage cruelty Of his chief
tain. Colonel owens and his fellow
rangers were sent after the Apache
Kid.
The chase was hot one. The
Apache Kid knew horses and from
time TO time got remounts on the
fastest and freshest horses in corrals
ne passed. The rangers plugged along
on their same ponies. But they fol-
lowed the trail so fast that they drove
The Apache Kid and his band to q
field OF fewer corrals and more des-
perate straits.
They surrendered the band at Stink
ing Wells, so called from the sulphur
fumes that rise from It's pit. AS the
law circle closed In, the Apache Kid
made use OF SUloke sClttHs ht
wind was blowing from his band to.
ward the rangers. The Indian fired
the prairie. Then under cover of the
smoke they brought down some Of the
rangers.
Colonel Owens did not escape. Two
of the Wolff boys with whom he had
lived when he first carne TO Texas fell
In the rifle fire Colonel owens
dragged them through il and returned
u his horse. Then he rode into u
bullet that caught him In the left
thigh and another killed his horse,
which fell on the colonel. crushed his
chest, and left him unconscious When
he came to himself he was seven miles
nearer civilization. being carried on
the back of a friendly squaw. The
Wolff boys were saved.
Recuperating. he again took up the
chase and helped TO make it merry for
she Apachce Kid until that outlaw was
ssun TO cover in Big Bear canyon on
the Pecos river and died from a
rangers bullet.