Geronimo, 1887

Geronimo (June 1829 – February 17, 1909) was aNative Americanresistance leader from the Bedonkoheband of the ChiricahuaApache tribe. He wasbest knownfor leading hiswarriors onviolent raids against Mexican and U.S. targets and for escaping confinement on theApache reservation multiple times.

Geronimo(Native Americanname Goyathlay) wasborn in what is nowNew Mexico. When Mexico ceded much of the AmericanSouthwest to the United States following the end of the Mexican-American War, Anglo-Americans began settling lands that had traditionally been used by theApache. Tensions broke out between theApache and settlers, resulting in violence and death on both sides.

There were also longstanding tensions between theApache and Mexicans, and in 1858 Mexican soldierskilledGeronimo’s mother, wife, and three children. This led toGeronimo’s subsequent long campaign of revenge against Mexicans.

TheApache were moved to theSan Carlos Reservation inArizona in the mid-1870s, butGeronimo escaped from the reservation with abandof followers three separate times. TheU.S. Armywas sent after him, and hesurrendered for thefinal time in1886.

After being held inTexas,Florida, and Alabama,Geronimo was finally incarcerated in 1894 atFort Sill, Oklahoma, where he remained for the rest of his life, though he was allowed some public appearances. He co-authored anautobiography calledGeronimo:His Own Storyin 1905.Geronimodied in 1909 after being thrown from ahorse.

Learn more about Geronimo through historical newspapers from our archives. Explore newspaper articles, headlines, images, and other primary sources below.

Articles and Clippings about Geronimo

Story of the murder of Geronimo's family in 1858 Fri, Apr 4, 1902 – Page 6 ·The Charlotte News (Charlotte, North Carolina) · Newspapers.com1877 capture of Geronimo and removal of "renegade" Apache to the San Carlos Reservation in Arizona Sat, Apr 28, 1877 – Page 2 ·Arizona Weekly Citizen (Tucson, Arizona) · Newspapers.com1880 account of capture of Geronimo by US Army Sat, Jan 10, 1880 – Page 4 ·The Arizona Sentinel (Yuma, Arizona) · Newspapers.comGeronimo and other Apache outmaneuver Mexican Army, 1883 Sun, Oct 28, 1883 – 4 ·Quad-City Times (Davenport, Iowa) · Newspapers.comGeneral Crook discusses Apache surrender in 1883; believes peace is possible 22 Jun 1883, FriChicago Tribune (Chicago, Illinois) Newspapers.comGeronimo and followers accused in 1885 of murdering 2 miners after escaping San Carlos Reservation Mon, May 25, 1885 – Page 1 ·The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) · Newspapers.comNewspaper reports on Geronimo's activities in New Mexico in May 1885 30 May 1885, SatArizona Weekly Citizen (Tucson, Arizona) Newspapers.comJohn P. Clum describes his role in the 1877 capture of Geronimo 19 Jul 1885, SunThe Indianapolis Journal (Indianapolis, Indiana) Newspapers.com1886 summary of the difficulties the US Army faced in fighting the Apache Mon, Jan 25, 1886 – Page 3 ·The Daily Tombstone (Tombstone, Arizona) · Newspapers.comFirsthand account of Geronimo's final surrender in 1886 and the events leading up to it Thu, Sep 16, 1886 – Page 1 ·The Leavenworth Weekly Times (Leavenworth, Kansas) · Newspapers.comReactions to news of Geronimo's final surrender in 1886 Sat, Sep 11, 1886 – 5 ·Dollar Weekly News (Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania) · Newspapers.comGeronimo reportedly claims to have captured and negotiated an agreement with General George Crook 24 Sep 1886, FriThe Sentinel (Carlisle, Pennsylvania) Newspapers.comFormer U.S. Army lieutenant describes Geronimo's final surrender; Says Army broke agreed-on terms 13 Jan 1900, SatThe Neosho Miner-Mechanic (Neosho, Missouri) Newspapers.com1901 newspaper account of Geronimo's life at Fort Sill Sun, Apr 14, 1901 – Page 14 ·Democrat and Chronicle (Rochester, New York) · Newspapers.comQuote attributed to Geronimo about what he thinks will happen to Native Americans Fri, Apr 4, 1902 – Page 6 ·The Charlotte News (Charlotte, North Carolina) · Newspapers.comGeronimo writes his autobiography, called "Geronimo: His Own Story" Tue, Oct 23, 1906 – Page 6 ·The Washington Times (Washington, District of Columbia) · Newspapers.comNews of Geronimo's death at Fort Sill in 1909 Thu, Feb 18, 1909 – 5 ·The Baltimore Sun (Baltimore, Maryland) · Newspapers.comPhoto and account of Geronimo's life, published after his death in 1909 Wed, Feb 17, 1909 – 8 ·The Boston Globe (Boston, Massachusetts) · Newspapers.comPicture of Geronimo and General Crook, featured in a 1909 newspaper 27 Feb 1909, SatThe Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California) Newspapers.com"A popular 1889 sketch by Frederic Remington of Geronimo and his fellow Apache warriors" 15 Feb 2009, SunThe Daily Oklahoman (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) Newspapers.com