Dedicatory - Preface - Introductory - Geronimo’s Story of His Life

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Geronimo's Story of his Life by Geronimo, transcribed by S. M. Barrett
and translated by Asa dec Luji.Dedicatory by Geronimo, because he has given
me permission to tell my story,because he has read that story and knows
I try to speak the truth.Because I believe that he is fair minded

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and will cause my people to receivejustice in the future, and because he
is chief of a great people.I dedicate this story of my life to
Theodore Roosevelt, President of the UnitedStates. Geronimo Preface by S. M.
Barrett. The initial idea of thecompilation of this work was to give

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the reading public an authentic record ofthe private life of the Apache Indians,
and to extend to Geronimo, asa prisoner of war, the courtesy to
any captive, that is, theright to state the causes which impelled him
in his opposition to all our civilizationand laws. If the Indian's cause has

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been properly presented, the captive's defenseclearly stated, and the general store of
information regarding vanishing types increased, Ishall be satisfied. I desire to acknowledge
valuable suggestions from Major Charles Taylor FortSill Oklahoma, doctor J. M.
Greenwood, Kansas City, Missouri,and President David R. Boyd of the

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University of Oklahoma. I especially desirein this connection to say that without the
kindly advice and assistance of President TheodoreRoosevelt, this book could not have been
written respectfully. S. M.Barrett, Lawton, Oklahoma, August fourteenth,
nineteen o six. Introductory by S. M. Barrett. I first

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met Geronimo in the summer of nineteenfour when I acted for him as interpreter
of English into Spanish and vice versain selling a war bonnet. After that,
he always had a pleasant word forme when we met, but never
entered into a general conversation with meuntil he learned that I had once been
wounded by a Mexican. As soonas he was told of this, he

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came to see me and expressed freelyhis opinion of the average Mexican and his
aversion to all Mexicans in general.I invited him to visit me again,
which he did, and upon hisinvitation I visited him at his teepee in
the Fort Sill Military Reservation. Inthe summer of nineteen o five. Doctor

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J. M. Greenwood, Superintendentof schools at Kansas City, Missouri,
visited me and I took him tosee the Chief. Geronimo was quite formal
and reserved until doctor Greenwood said,I am a friend of General Howard,
whom I have heard speak of.You Come, said Geronimo, and led
the way to a shade, hadseats brought for us, put on his

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war bonnet, and served watermelon allah apache cut in big chunks, while
he talked freely and cheerfully. Whenwe left, he gave us a pressing
invitation to visit him again. Ina few days. The old chief came
to see me and asked about myfather. I said, you mean the
old gentleman from Kansas City. Hehas returned to his home. He is

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your father, said Geronimo. No, I said, my father died twenty
five years ago. Doctor Greenwood isonly my friend. After a moment's silence,
the old Indian spoke again, thistime in a tone of voice intended
to carry conviction, or at leastto allow no further discussion. Your natural

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father is dead. This man hasbeen your friend, an adviser from youth
by adoption. He is your father. Tell him he is welcome to come
to my home at any time.It was of no use to explain any
more, for the old man haddetermined not to understand my relation to doctor
Greenwood except in accordance with Indian customs, and I let the matter drop.

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In the latter part of that summer, I asked the old Chief to allow
me to publish some of the thingshe had told me, but he objected,
saying, however, that if Iwould pay him, and if the
officers in charge did not object,he would tell me the whole story of
his life. I immediately called atthe fort Fort Sill and asked the officer

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in charge, Lieutenant Purrington, forpermission to write the life of Geronimo.
I was promptly informed that the privilegewould not be granted. Lieutenant Purrington explained
to me the many depredations committed byGeronimo and his warriors, and the enormous
cost of subduing the Apaches, addingthat the old Apache deserved to be hanged

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rather than spoiled by so much attentionfrom civilians. A suggestion from me that
our government had paid many soldiers andofficers to go to Arizona and kill Geronimo
and the Apaches, and that theydid not seem to know how to do.
It did not prove very gratifying tothe pride of the regular army officer,

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and I decided to seek elsewhere forpermission. Accordingly, I wrote to
President Roosevelt that here was an oldIndian who had been held a prisoner of
war for twenty years and had neverbeen given a chance to tell his side
of the story, and asked thatGeronimo be granted permission to tell for publication

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in his own way, the storyof his life, and that he be
guaranteed that the publication of his storywould not affect unfavorably the Apache prisoners of
war. By return, mail Ireceived were that the authority had been granted.
In a few days, I receivedword from Fort Sill that the President

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had ordered the officer in charge togrant permission as requested. An interview was
requested that I might receive the instructionsof the War Department. When I went
to Fort Sill, the officer incommand handed me the following brief, which
constituted my instructions. Lawton, Oklahoma, August twelfth, nineteen o five.

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Geronimo Apache Chief S. M.Barrett, Superintendent of Schools, Letter to
the President, stating that above mentioneddesires to tell his life story that it
may be published, and requests permissionto tell it in his own way,
and also desires assurance that what hehas to say will in no way work

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a hardship for the Apache Tribe.First endorsement, War Department, the Military
Secretary's Office, Washington, August twentyfifth, nineteen o five, Respectfully referred
by direction of the Acting Chief ofStaff, through Headquarters, Department of Texas,
to the Officer in charge of theApache Prisoners of War at Fort Sill,

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Oklahoma Territory, for remark and recommendation. Signed E. F. Ladd,
Military Secretary. Second indorsement, Headquarters, Department of Texas, Military Secretary's
Office, San Antonio, August twentyninth, nineteen o five, Respectfully transmitted
to First Lieutenant George A. Purrington, eighth Cavalry, in charge of Apache

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Prisoners, through Commanding Officer, FortSill, Oklahoma Territory, by command of
Brigadier General Lee. Signed C.D. Roberts, Captain, seventh Infantry,
Acting Military Secretary. Third indorsement,Fort Sill, Oklahoma Territory, August
thirty first, nineteen o five,five Respectfully referred to First Lieutenant G.

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A. Purrington, eighth Cavalry Officerin charge of Apache Prisoners of War,
for remark and recommendation by order ofCaptain Dade. Signed James Longstreet, First
Lieutenant and Squadron Adjutant, thirteenth CavalryAdjutant, fourth Indorsement, Fort Sill,
Oklahoma Territory, September second, nineteeno five, Respectfully Returned to the Adjutant,

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Fort Sill, Oklahoma Territory. Ican see no objection to Geronimo telling
the story of his past life,providing he tells the truth. I would
recommend that mister S. M.Barrett beheld responsible for what is written and
published. Signed George A. Purrington, First Lieutenant, eighth Cavalry in charge

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of Apache Prisoners of War, FifthIndorsement, Fort Sill, Oklahoma Territory,
September fourth, nineteen o five,Respectfully Returned to the Military Secretary Department of
Texas, San Antonio, Texas,inviting attention to fourth indorsement. Hereon,
it is recommended that the manuscript besubmitted before publication to Lieutenant Purrington, who

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can pass upon the truth of thestory. Signed A. L. Dade,
Captain thirteenth Cavalry Commanding sixth Indorsement,Headquarters, Department of Texas, San
Antonio, September eighth, nineteen ofive, Respectfully returned to the Military Secretary,
War Department, Warshington, d C. Inviting attention to the preceding indorsement

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hereon which is concurred in. SignedJ. M. Lee, Brigadier General,
Commanding seventh Indorsement, War Department,Office of the Chief of Staff,
Washington, September thirteenth, nineteen ofive, Respectfully submitted to the Honorable the
Secretary of War inviting attention to theforegoing endorsements. Signed J. C.

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Bates, Major General, Acting Chiefof Staff, eighth Endorsement, War Department,
September fifteenth, nineteen o five,Respectfully Returned to the Acting Chief of
Staff to grant the necessary authority inthis matter through official channels, with the
express understanding that the manuscript of thebook shall be submitted to him before publication.

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Upon receipt of such manuscript, theChief of Staff will submit it to
such person as he may select ascompetent to make a proper and critical inspection
of the proposed publication. Signed RobertShaw Oliver, Acting Secretary of War,
ninth Indorsement, War Department, theMilitary Secretary's Office, Washington, September eighteenth,

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nineteen respectfully returned by direction of theActing Chief of Staff to the Commanding
General, Department of Texas, whowill give the necessary instructions for carrying out
the directions of the Acting Secretary ofWar contained in the eighth indorsement. It

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is desired that mister Barrett be advisedaccordingly. Signed Henry P. McCain,
Military Secretary, Tenth Indorsement, Headquarters, Department of Texas, Military Secretary's Office,
San Antonio, September twenty third,nineteen o five, Respectfully referred to

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the Commanding Officer Fort Sill, OklahomaTerritory, who will give the necessary instructions
for carrying out the direction of theActing Secretary of War contained in the eighth
indorsement. Hereon this paper will beshown and fully explained to mister Barrett,
and then returned to these headquarters byorder of Colonel Hughes. Signed George Van

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Horn Moseley, first Lieutenant, FirstCavalry, Aide de camp, Acting Military
Secretary. Early in October I securedthe services of an educated Indian asadek Luji,
son of hul Chief of the netnay Apaches as interpreter, and the
work of compiling the book began.Geronimo refused to talk when a stenographer was

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present or to wait for corrections orquestions when telling the story. Each day,
he had in mind what he wouldtell, and told it in a
very clear, brief manner. Hemight prefer to talk at his own teepee,
at asadek Luji's house in some mountaindell, or as he rode in
a swinging gallop across the prairie,wherever his fancy led him. There he

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told whatever he wished to tell,and no more. On the day that
he first gave gave any portion ofhis autobiography, he would not be questioned
about any details, nor would headd another word, but simply said,
write what I have spoken, andleft us to remember and write the story
without one bit of assistance. Hewould agree, however, to come on

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another day to my study or anyplace designated by me, and listen to
the reproduction in apache of what hadbeen told, And at such times he
would answer all questions or add informationwherever he could be convinced that it was
necessary. He soon became so tiredof bookmaking that he would have abandoned the

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task but for the fact that hehad agreed to tell the complete story.
When he once gives his word,nothing will turn him from fulfilling his promise.
A very striking illustration of this wasfurnished by him early in January nineteen
o six. He had agreed tocome to my study on a certain date,
But at the appointed hour the interpretercame alone and said that Geronimo was

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very sick with cold and fever.He had come to tell me that we
must appoint another date, as hefeared the old warrior had an attack of
pneumonia. It was a cold day, and the interpreter drew a chair up
to the grate to warm himself afterthe exposure of the long ride. Just
as he was seating himself, helooked out of the window, then rose

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quickly, and without speaking, pointedto a rapidly moving object coming our way.
In a moment, I recognized theold Chief, riding furiously, evidently
trying to arrive as soon as theinterpreter did. His horse flecked with foam
and reeling from exhaustion. Dismounting,he came in and said in a hoarse

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whisper I promised to come. Iam here. I explained to him that
I had not expected him to comeon such a stormy day, and that
in his physical condition he must nottry to work. He stood for some
time, and then, without speaking, left the room, remounted his tired

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pony, and with bowed head,faced ten long miles of cold north wind.
He had kept his promise. Whenhe had finished his story, I
submitted the manuscript to Major Charles W. Taylor, eighteenth Cavalry Commandant, Fort
Sill, Oklahoma, who gave mesome valuable suggestions as to additional related information,

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which I asked Geronimo to give.In most cases, the old chief
gave the desired information, but insome instances he refused, stating his reasons
for so doing. When the addedinformation had been incorporated, I submitted the
manuscript to President Roosevelt, from whoseletter I quote, this is a very

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interesting volume which you have in manuscript, But I would advise that you disclaim
responsibility in all cases where the reputationof an individual is assailed. In accordance
with that suggestion, I have appendednotes throughout the book disclaiming responsibility for adverse
criticisms of any persons mentioned by Geronimo. On June second, nineteen o six,

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I transmitted the complete manuscript to theWar Department. The following quotation is
from the letter of transmission, inaccordance with Indorsement number eight of the brief
submitted to me by the Commanding Officerof Fort Sill, which indorsement constituted the
instructions of the Department. I submitherewith the manuscript of the Autobiography of Geronimo.

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The manuscript has been submitted to thePresident, and at his suggestion,
I have disclaimed any responsibility for thecriticisms made by Geronimo of individuals mentioned in
quote. Six weeks after the manuscriptwas forwarded, Thomas C. Berry,
Brigadier General, Assistant to the Chiefof Staff, sent to the President the

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following quote Memorandum for the Secretary ofWar, subject Manuscript of the Autobiography of
Geronimo. The paper herewith which wasreferred to this office on July sixth,
with instructions to report as to whetherthere is anything objectionable in it, is
returned. The manuscript is an interestingautobiography of a notable Indian made by himself.

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There are a number of passages whichfrom the departmental point of view,
are decidedly objectionable. These are foundon pages seventy three, seventy four,
ninety, ninety one, and ninetyseven, and are indicated by marginal lines
in red. The entire manuscript appearsin a way important as showing the Indian

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side of a prolonged controversy. Butit is believed that the document, either
in whole or in part, shouldnot receive the approval of the War Department.
End quote. The memorandum is publishedthat the objections of the War Department
may be made known to the public. The objection is raised to the mention

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on pages seventy three and seventy fourof the manuscript of an attack upon Indians
in a tent at Apache Pass orBowie by US soldiers. The statement of
Geronimo is however, substantially confirmed byLC. Hughes, editor of The Star
Tucson, Arizona. On pages ninetyand ninety one of the manuscript, Geronimo

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criticized General Cook. This criticism issimply Geronimo's private opinion of General Cook.
We deem it a personal matter andleave it without comment, as it in
no way concerns the History of theApaches. On page ninety seven of the
manuscript, Geronimo accuses General Miles ofbad faith. Of course, General Miles

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made the treaty with the Apaches,but we know very well that he is
not responsible for the way the governmentsubsequently treated the prisoners of war. However,
Geronimo cannot understand this, and fixesupon General Miles the blame for what
he calls unjust treatment. One couldnot expect the Department of War to approve

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adverse criticisms of its own acts,but it is especially gratifying that such a
liberal view has been taken of thesecriticisms, and also that such a frank
statement of the merits of the autobiographyis submitted in the memorandum. Of course,
neither the President nor the War Departmentis in any way responsible for what

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Geronimo says. He has simply beengranted the opportunity to state his own own
case as he sees it. Thefact that Geronimo has told the story in
his own way is doubtless the onlyexcuse necessary to offer for the many unconventional
features of this work. End ofdedicatory, preface and introductory