NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE APACHE CHIEF GERONIMO
Geronimo's election to Apache Chief and negotiations about a hostage

NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE APACHE CHIEF GERONIMO

The following article contains the first notices of the vicious Apache Chief Geronimo, in relation to his succession to the leadership of his tribe and negotiations about a hostage. The photograph of Geronimo is not part of the original article. Charley McComas DEMISO, N. M., October 11.-D. H. Leroy and George Wilson, who left here September 19th with a Mexican merchant for the purpose of rescuing Charley McComas, returned to-day. Arriving at Casa Grande they found that Juh had been drowned, while drunk, on the 21st of September, by falling off his horse into the Casa Grande River. The Indians elected Geronimo chief, ignoring Juh's son. This made a disturbance among the Indians, audit was difficult to treat with them, and matters were more complicated by the massing of Mexican troops, and attempts by them to get the Indians drunk preparatory to a massacre. Finally communications were opened with Geronimo, who was anxious to trade for cartridges and offered to give a horse for every ten. His brother and men, he said, were en route for the San Carlos agency to get cartridges and recruits. After two interviews the subject of the captive boy was broached and according to Mr. Leroy the child is certainly alive, and with Juh's widow. Geronimo finally appointed an interview at a stated place, where he met Wilson and an interpreter. Wilson had nearly one hundred bolts of calico and some other articles which he was ready to offer for the boy, with promises of 200 cartridges on final delivery. Geronimo said that Juh's widow did not want to give the child up but that he would compel her to if he could get the cartridges in exchange. While the talk was proceeding one of Governor Torres' chief scouts was seen approaching, and Geronimo, fearing treachery, broke up the interview, saying, "You go to your house; I to my camp. "Wilson, in alarm lest he should not get the boy, offered to go with Geronimo, but was not allowed to do so. Subsequent attempts to treat for the boy failed, owing to the proximity of Mexican troops and the local authorities interfering to prevent Leroy and Wilson from meeting the Indians. Leroy says that Geronimo claims to have l50 warriors. He counted seventy-five at one of the interviews. There are 600 Mexican troops at Casa Grande. Leroy and Wilson are well-known citizens, and their report is worthy of credence. Further steps will be immediately taken for the rescue of the child. The First Deeds of Apache Chief Geronimo Apache Indian Attacks on Civilians The Capture of the Apache Chief Geronimo Release of the Captured Apache Indians Adopted from The Helena Independent, October 20, 1883