Geronimo-His Own Story

Geronimo's story as told in his own words does not begin until page 49 of the book. Here are some highlights:

. His tribe did not cultivate tobacco. They picked tobacco growing wild, dried the leaves and everyone smoked, even females. Boys could start smoking as soon as they made their first hunting kill. They did not use pipes, but rolled the tobacco in oak leaves. Unmarried women were not prohibited from smoking, but it was considered "immodest".

. They used crushed corn to make "tis-win" that "had the power of intoxication".

. Their god was called "Usen" and they prayed for "strength, health, wisdom and protection".

. They did not pray "against any person", feeling it up to them to avenge themselves. They were taught "Usen does not care for the petty quarrels of men".

. Feathers were an important part of their culture because the story of creation is a battle between beasts and birds, which the birds won. The story continues with the tale of Apache, the first chief of the people. He wore eagle's feathers as a sign of "justice, wisdom, and power."

. Geronimo bought his first wife for "many ponies". Taking the ponies to the father, he was given the daughter and they were considered married with no ceremony. Divorce was just as simple. Geronimo had 6 wives. He says he only lived with one wife after one of his divorces, indicating that he previously had more than one wife at the same time.

. His first wife, his aged mother who he cared for and 3 young children were slaughtered in a sneak attack by Mexicans while members of his tribe were camped outside a Mexican city. The men were inside the city trading at the time of the massacre. Feeling outnumbered by the Mexican troops, they packed up and marched back to their semi-permanent settlement in Arizona.

. A desire for vengeance leads to his becoming a chief. The Mexican government paid with gold for Apache scalps: $100. for warriors, $50. for sqaws and $25. for children's. Leading his warriors to victory after a revenge attack, Geronimo had his men scalp all the dead Mexican troops.

. Geronimo's desire to avenge the killing of his loved ones did not stop after the successful battle. He led more attacks which left the Apache's with more dead and were considered losses.

. Apaches did not eat reptiles or fish. They also did not eat bacon or pork feeling pigs ate those forbidden foods.

. According to Geronimo, Mexican prisoners captured during wars were treated better than Apache prisoners taken to Mexico. The prisoners were often exchanged. Kidnapped Apache women and children often escaped the Mexican's and returned, under many hardships, to their own people.

. The first white man Geronimo saw was a surveyor. His tribe thought the surveyors that camped near their camp were nice people and they had friendly relationships. This was also true when the first United States troops appeared setting up their own camps.

The rest, as they say, is history. Geronimo did not seem to blame the new U.S. government, or the leaders of the troops, but feels the soldiers were responsible for souring peaceful relationships between the two. Geronimo had a good understanding of the Spanish language and less so of English. His story was told with the help of an interrupter; thus can not be taken as his actual biography in his own words. There are many footnotes in "Geronimo-His Own Story" in this newly edited and revised edition by Frederick Turner. The editor often seems to be resolving himself of any guilt of negative critique of historical figures, such as General Nelson A. Miles, by comments made in some of the footnotes. Other footnotes offer corrections as to dates or places spoken of by Geronimo.

What I did not like about this book: There are two introductions, one by the original author, the second by the editor. The copyright and publication page does not note a publication in 1970, but mentions Frederick's "notes and introduction" were revised in 1996. There was also a preface. I think the explanations of how the tale came to be, could have been told after Geronimo's biography. The double introductions did include information on Native American history in general, but much of that is learned from reading Geronimo's own words.

What I liked about this book was Geronimo's own words. I especially enjoyed his description of the St. Louis World's Fair. He was being held prisoner by the U.S. government and was taken to the fair under guard. He speaks of soldiers inviting him into a "little house" and being scared to find himself suddenly up in the air (a Ferris wheel ride) and of "little brown people" the U.S. government had captured from some Island who were forced to put on a show (Philippines). He did not think they could play music or dance. I also liked reading about the Apache festivals, rituals, games and dances. The Dance of Thanksgiving was held in the summer and perhaps even as the English were civilizing the natives, the English were learning from the Natives.

Geronimo seems to have made peace with the white man, gave up being a warrior (if he did make war again, he said, he would go to "Old Mexico" to fight Mexicans), accepted the ways of white civilization and became a Christian. He did not, however, like being forced to live on a reservation in a climate unsuited for the Apache tribe. He longed for the U.S. government to give his people land to live upon in their own territory, promising peaceful co-existence, where he could return to ways of Apache living. Geronimo relates a tale of a near-death experience of another warrior. He says he has had similar experiences when unconscious during battles, but the memories are not clear. The warrior's story is very familiar involving a tunnel, white light and reuniting with departed loved ones. Geronimo wished this was true and I hope he is in such a heaven today.

The paperback book is available online at Amazon for $14.00.