Another Southwest Oklahoma claim to fame is the notorious legend Geronimo. Rich with history, Ft. Sill National Historic Landmark and Museum includes the Apache Indian Cemeteries where Geronimo’s grave is located, as well as the Post Guardhouse, which was also nicknamed “Geronimo Hotel.”
For many years Goyathlay (meaning “One Who Yawns”), better known as Geronimo, led his band of Apaches in raids throughout the western United States and northern Mexico, frustrating the U.S. and Mexican armies. At the age of 57, he surrendered to General Crook and lived on the Ft. Sill Military Reservation as a prisoner-of-war from 1894 until his death in 1909, serving as a private in the U.S. Indian Scouts.
During his twilight years, he also appeared in Wild West Shows, fairs and carnivals, where he sold souvenirs (e.g., bows and arrows) and signed autographs of himself. He later dictated his fascinating auto-biography, Geronimo’s Story of His Life, (a free pdf) which he dedicated to President Theodore Roosevelt.
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| Touring Post Guardhouse, also known as “Geronimo Hotel.” |
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| Geronimo’s Gravesite |
Some fun trivia for those who may be interested in learning a little about the real Geronimo*:
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Geronimo was not kept under lock and key in the guardhouse, but was only confined their twice by his own admission. He and his family lived quietly on a small farm northwest of Ft. Sill. He was even enlisted in the U.S. Army as a private in Troop L of the 7th Cavalry and toured with Pawnee Bill’s Wild West Show.
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Because Geronimo was such a showman, he frequently appeared in public in chains and legirons to enhance his image of being a “savage Indian.” It helped him in the sale of his souvenir items.
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Geronimo did not pace around in circles in his cell until it wore a path in the floor, nor did he starve himself to escape through the small window in his cell, nor did he bend the bars of his cell in frustration. These are all legends of the imagination.
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Geronimo was originally a medicine man, not an Apache chief. He became chief after his mother, young wife, and children were murdered in a Mexican raid.
For more information about this legendary Native American, read the auto-biography, Geronimo’s Story of His Life, penned down and edited by S. M. Barrett, or visit http://salempress.com/Store/pdfs/geronimo.pdf.
*Information in this blog was taken from the exhibits on display in the Ft. Sill Guardhouse in the Ft. Sill National Historic Landmark and Museum.