The army continued their journey east, and stopped again, in a humid, swampy part of Alabama; their TB promptly became worse. Weakened by the journey, sick from unfamiliar food and filthy living conditions, the Indians did not have the strength to fight the disease. "Out of a population of 519 Apache who were first imprisoned, approximately 300 died as victims of tuberculosis during their 27 years as American prisoners of war" (Avery et al 61). Geronimo and his fellow prisoners were put to hard labor, and it was May 1887 before he saw his family. He Moved to Fort Sill in the Oklahoma Territory in 1894, Later in life, with few other resources available, Geronimo capitalized on his fame, selling souvenirs and appearing at public events such as Teddy Roosevelt's 1905 inaugural parade. Said a judge who presided at his trial; "There is not, probably, in the history or tradition or myths of the human race another instance of such prolonged resistance against such tremendous odds" (qtd. Leider et al 225). The plight of the Apache, the ones that fought for freedom, as well as those who surrendered to reservations was one of suffering and inhumanity; have persevered through two centuries of opposing societal views. Once thought of as savage beasts, wild animals, and worse; they now are no longer the oppressed, controlled miserable people of the past. Through the strength and values taught by tribal leaders such as Geronimo, the Apache Indian today has become a strong and intelligent society. They have been able to adapt to many cultural and environmental changes in just 200 years. Though the old ways are maintained, the Apaches have become modern warriors. And there is no question of their modern identity. Money from the wool of their thousands of sheep is supplemented by income from their hundreds of gas and oil wells. Through steadfastness, strategy, and an understanding of business they have done well for themselves. They are brill...
