The L'Anse sentinel., 1922-05-05
Thought Its Flash in Battle
Was an Order From the
Great Spirit.
FIRST USE OF SMOKE SCREEN
Apache Kid Used II, Says Noted RAN
ger in Recital Of Story OF His
Eventful Lfe-i1as Remarkable
Experiences as Ranger.

Chicago resulted In
the surrender of Geronimo, the famous
Indian, and the Apache Kid used the
first smoke screen recorded In this
country, according TO Col. Fred Owens
of Chicago, Il noted Texas Ranger OF
half century ago.
Colonel Owens, an old circus man,
who earned his title as ranger, cow
boy, bronco buster, pony express rider
and participant in many Wild West
purSuits, including those of Geronimo
and the Kid. made these assertions
here in recital of his life, which mas
been crammed full of action ana mar
row escapes that read like the passage
from an old dime novel
Fred Owens, when nine years old'
was missing from his home In flem-
ingsburg, KY, one morning In lSo9.
He had gone West.
At eighteen, or in 1868, he became a
Texas, Ranger and made such mark
for himself that he was sent to the
Centennial at Philadelphia with other
rangers to represent the Lone Star
State. In 1S7S-79 and 1880 he was de-
tailed 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
valuables he carried.
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 trou-
Bile, was getting bad in west Texas,
Until Geronimo's capture In the hills
back of chihuahua. Mexico, Colonel
Owens was q material part of his pur-
suit. And he tells n 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 1t is a story Of the Indians super
stitious nature. Geronimos pursuers
numbered among them a Captain Hill
debrand. When the Indian was driven
into the hills and the chase became
hot, Hildebrand's command was crawl
ing over the crags toward the redskins
stronghold. Just before his surrender
Geronimo caught sight Of the face of
CAPTAIN Hildebrand and was ready to
fire. Then bright light flashed over
the officers features. This the Indian
could not fathom, and 1t drove all the
fight out of him.
Pocket Mirror Saved 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 II. To move or call
would reveal his position to the In
dams, yet he must get the attention
of Captain Hildebrand. Taking a small
mirror from his pocket he caught the
rays Of the sun. These reflected on
the face of Hildebrand, then In immi-
nent danger Of Geronimos rife. But
the flash beat the Indians trigger fin
ger. He saw the wonderful bright
light and thought It a message from
heaven to identify Captain Hildebrand
as the Great Spirit. Geronimo ran up
his flag of truce, merely stipulating
that he should not be hung or shot for
his outrages II he surrendered. His
terms were accepted.
In 1884 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 a hot one. The