Geronimo Autobiography

Geronimo Autobiography

Full Name: Mr. Goyathlay (“One who Yawns”)
Date of Birth: June, 1829
Place of Birth: No-Doyohn Canyon, Arizona, USA
Died: February 17, 1909
Place of Death: Fort Sill, Oklahoma, USA
Classification: Heroes & Icons

Known as a strong symbol of Native American character and a chief of his people, Geronimo was an Apache war leader who led his people against the white settlers who threatened their way of life. Although America was advancing on the west with great vigor, he would attempt to keep his people and their way of life protected. His plight for freedom was symbolic of the entire Native American people.

Born in the region of No-doyohn Canyon in Arizona, Geronimo was thought of as a laid-back individual who was often called Goyakla, or “He Who Yawns”. Just before the year 1830, Mexicans looking to profit off of their deaths killed his entire family. With their deaths, Geronimo awoke from his shell and lived with a staunch yearning, an obsession, for revenge. As he grew older, he became an active military might in his own camps. When he was arrested for the first time near the age of 40, agents could not believe how strong he was and how much endurance he had.

Geronimo and some of his people were put onto a reservation for Native Americans in Arizona. While there, the white overseers prevented them from performing their tribal rituals and customs. This, along with mistreatment on all levels, meant that he and his followers would attempt fleeing. Upon one escape, the Apache tribesman wreaked havoc and revenge through raids on both sides of the American and Mexican borders. The Mexicans gave him a Spanish name, calling him Geronimo or “Jerome” for his bold attacks. And, the name stuck.

Over the next several months, these 40 Apache Native Americans were chased by over 10,000 men, who couldn’t catch up to them or find out where they were hiding. Finally, General Nelson Miles, who allowed them to surrender under certain conditions, surrounded him and his tribesmen. Geronimo and his men were promised only two years imprisonment and then they would be allowed to go free. But, this never happened.

Even though Geronimo and his men were set free from their prison labors, they were never fully released as “prisoners of war” by the U.S. government. The Apache people were allowed to prosper as farmers and Geronimo went on to tour and sell his wares with the Wild West Show and other expeditions. Geronimo even appeared at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair.