eance were an honorable way of life among the tribes of this region. By the time American settlers began arriving in the area, the Spanish had become entrenched in the area, they were always looking for Indian slaves and Christian converts. Itwas the Spanish who raided and killed Geronimo's young wife and child and reportedly caused sucha hatred of the whites that he vowed to kill as many as he could.In 1876, the U.S. Army tried to move the Chiricahuas onto a reservation, but Geronimo fled toMexico eluding the troops for over a decade. Sensationalized press reports exaggerated Geronimo'sactivities, making him the most feared and infamous Apache. The last few months of the campaignrequired over 5,000 soldiers and 500 scouts to track down Geronimo and his band.Geronimo finally surrendered on the urging of his followers in September after the Army promisedthat after a period of time he would be able to return to Arizona. Geronimo and his followers wereshipped to St. Augustine, Florida where many died from malaria or tuberculosis. Geronimo neveragain saw his beloved Arizona and died a prisioner many years later on a reservation in Oklahoma.Quotes from Geronimo: I was warmed by the sun, rocked by the winds and sheltered by the trees as other Indian babes. I was living peaceably when people began to speak bad of me. Now I can eat well, sleep well and be glad. I can go everywhere with a good feeling. The soldiers never explained to the government when an Indian was wronged, but reported themisdeeds of the Indians. We took an oath not to do any wrong to each other or to scheme against each other. I cannot think that we are useless or God would not have created us. There is one God looking down on us all. We are all the children of one God. The sun, thedarkness, the winds are all listening to what we have to say. When a...
