A Brief History
On September 4, 1886, after almost 30 years of raiding Mexican and white settlers and battling the U.S. Army, Apache war leader Geronimo finally surrendered in Arizona to U.S. Army General Nelson Miles.
Digging Deeper
Geronimo’s actual Apache name means “One who yawns.” After his wife, children and mother were killed by Mexican soldiers in 1858, it seems he did little yawning and much fighting, leading raids against both Mexican and American settlers and soldiers. Although Geronimo’s hatred was mainly directed at the Mexicans, his raids of theft and murder of Americans had the U.S. Army chasing him and his band of warriors across the southwest, while the Mexican Army did the same South of the border, also with negative results; however, the borders meant little to Geronimo, as the Native Americans thought they owned the land in the first place.
Geronimo’s tribal heritage was Bendonkohe, a subgroup of the Native American tribes generically called Apache by whites. Although himself not a tribal chief, he was the leader of his band of Native American resistance forces that fought pacification. When he surrendered, he was taken from fort to fort across Texas and the South before settling at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He never returned to his native lands.
Geronimo was allowed to make appearances at wild west shows as a celebrity, and he rode in Teddy Roosevelt’s presidential inaugural parade in 1905.
He died at Fort Sill of pneumonia in 1909 after falling from his horse and laying in the cold all night.
The Winchester rifle he had with him at the time of his surrender is on display at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, while his pistol and knife are at the museum at Fort Sill.
A controversy over whether or not his skull and possibly other bones had been stolen during World War I has never conclusively been resolved, although it is likely to be a hoax. Another controversy continues over whether his surrender was unconditional, as the U.S. Army claims and which Geronimo later vehemently denied, or if Geronimo had been tricked, as he claimed. Geronimo has been called “the worst Indian who ever lived” and “Geronimo the Terrible,” but in a History and Headlines twist his name is yelled by American airborne paratroops as they jump out of airplanes. And he ended up having a total of 9 wives! He sure had a full life for a guy who yawned a lot.
Question for students (and subscribers): Should Geronimo have continued to fight? Please let us know in the comments section below this article.
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Historical Evidence
For more information, please see…
Leach, Mike and Buddy Levy. Geronimo: Leadership Strategies of an American Warrior. Gallery Books, 2014.
You can also watch a video version of this article on YouTube.
<span class="dsq-postid" data-dsqidentifier="4635 http://www.crackedhistory.com/?p=4635">159 Comments
I think it was very interesting that his rifle is on display at the military academy of West Point. Madeline Bowen
Confusing how he was allowed to make a celebrity appearance riding in Teddy Roosevelt’s inaugural parade, but he is now sometimes called ‘the worst Indian who ever lived.” Interesting how time changes perceptions.
It feels like he was used as a puppet in the shows and parades, like an animal being held against its will. It kind of sounds disgraceful to his people.
Why was he not jailed for his actions? I don’t understand how it was considered a “celebrity appearance” when he went to a show.
His life is very interesting, I can’t believe that he was able to ride in the inaugural parade.
I find it sad that his family was killed and that he fought to revenge their deaths. He really did lead an eventful life.
His life had its ups and downs. He did life his life to the fullest it could be. I am confused on how he had “Celebrity” status.
his live although sad and even though his life was interesting to read about i do not think he should ba celebrity because he broke the law.
Why was he a celebrity after all the things he did?
It is awful that his family was killed by the Mexican soldiers.
I’m totally surprised that how these people had stoles the bones after WWI. The responsible people or governments should step up and start investigate how these people stole the corpses.
I’m confused on why he was allowed to make a celebrity appearance.
I can not believe that the Mexican soldiers would kill his family.
The celebrity appearances are odd. Geronimo was a prisoner, so why would he be allowed to go around acting like a celebrity? Maybe it was allowed because of his “unconditional surrender.”
I do not get why he was a “celebrity” after everything that had happened. But it is sad that Mexican soldiers killed his entire family.
I don’t understand how he could be in the inaugural parade after all the things he did.
I don’t understand why he became so famous and was viewed as a celebrity if he harmed so many people.
I think it’s funny that he was in the Wild West show.
It is sad that his family died.
9 wives talk about polygamy!
One of most controversial figures in history because of the raids and murders but people consider him a “celebrity”
i just dont understand how he was said to be the worst indian who ever lived but had made a celebrity appearance then. Also cannot believe that he was not arrested or anything.
I thought it was funny that after all the trouble he went through, he ended up being able to participate as a celebrity in wild west shows with Teddy Roosevelt.
How is he considered a celebrity with so many raids and murders!?
I think after losing his family, it is hard to continue.
I was very surprised when I read Geronimo appeared in public as a celebrity and was in a presidential parade.
I don’t understand why they considered him to be a celebrity, but I guess that is just the difference in how culture has changed over the years.
I definitely do not consider him a celebrity. He did what many other men of the west did, lead many raids, which I do not believe deserve high status unless they were for good causes. -Allison Lester
I had no idea he is where the saying Geronimo came from i just thought it was something said when you jump out of a plane.
It was interesting to find out the story behind the word Geronimo, I found him interesting.
Geronimo is a well respected man for laying his life down to fight for his people.
I don’t blame Geronimo for things he had done after his children, wife, and mother were killed.
It was super interesting for me to find out that Geronimo’s real name means “one who yawns.” It is also quite interesting how paratroopers came to say his name when jumping out of a plane. It’s curious because so many other Native Americans also fought for their land and what they believed in. Why Geronimo?
I find the fact tat all of these Native American names mean something significant pretty cool!
Its cool how Geronimo toured with a future president.
I’m not sure what gave Geronimo his celebrity status. Especially enough to tour with a president.
I didn’t know the true meaning of Geronimo till now. Really cool!
If I was Geronimo I would’ve done the same things that he did.
I think it’s sad knowing all the native Americans are put away in camps or whatever they are called.
I bet Geronimo had no idea at the time that he was touring with a future president!
Interesting that this took place 130 years prior to my birth. I also think it is odd that Gernoimo’s name means one who yawns
I had no clue that the saying Geronimo came from this man. I bet he had no idea about some of the impacts he was making.
I learned something new about his life. But i was sad at the end that his family were killed
I think it is sad knowing how awful the Native Americans were treated back then and how racism is still around today for some people.
I thought it was cool that Geronimo’s real Apache name was Goyaale, and that it meant “One who yawns,” because that just seems like such a let down to such a great person, as yawning seems to not fit his personality.
It is sad to see how Native Americans were treated, but it was interesting to read about how he got to ride with the president.
The way Native Americans were treated was horrible.
I did not know Geranamo hated Mexicans.
I should have been named Goyaale
I was not aware of the fact that he never returned to his native land.
Even though his actions were horrible I can understand the feeling of wanting revenge after the murders of his family. I cannot imagine what it must have been like to be a Native American at that time. To see your loved ones killed over land would be unfathomable.
It surprises me that he was used as a guest at wild west shows and could ride in Teddy Roosevelt’s presidential inaugural parade when he committed such terrible crimes and was a prisoner. It is understandable that he did not acknowledge the southern border because the land had always belonged to the Native Americans. I was not aware of how violent Geronimo was.
I had no idea he had so many wives. I find it interesting that he was famous and attended Roosevelt’s Inauguration if he was one of the worst Indians who ever lived.
I wonder if the “displaying” of Geronimo in wild west shows, etc., was a means of the United States showing superiority? I’m not saying his vengeful acts were right, but you have a man whose family was killed and perhaps he felt he had little more to live for. I know I’m playing the devil’s advocate here, but it makes me wonder.
I did not know that he was married so many times, i found it really surprising that he was at Teddy Rosevelt’s inaugural parade when he was such a criminal.
I was shocked that Geronimo was considered a celebrity at wild west shows and that he rode in Teddy Roosevelt’s presidential inaugural parade in 1905 considering the theft and murders of Americans he had committed.
I think that it is interesting that Geronimo had nine wives. This really goes to show that many people who live these, “full lives,” experience it with more than one spouse.
It is terrible that what pushed him to fight was his family being murdered. It makes sense that in this time in history that he had nine wives. I have heard that individuals within this group commonly had multiple wives.
I didn’t realize that Geronimo being yelled as they jumped was based off of a real person. I also imagine that it would have been difficult to fight after losing your family.
It was terrible when I heard his families been killed, including children.
Wild West was known to a vicious age. Native Americans suffered from a sad history. We should remember the history and turn against race discrimination in the future.
Interesting story. I did not know his family had been murdered. For 30 years he was raiding Mexican and white settlers and never caught. I wonder why he surrendered.
I also find it interesting that he just surrendered. The killing of his family really motivated him to keep running and killing, but then to surrender after all of that seems strange.
I also am a bit weirded out with this story. It does not make sense that he would surrender.
This article was oddly strange to me. I also need to put in consideration of the time period that it occurred it just because it was such a tough time for most people so acting out of character may be cause.
This story really makes you think. The fact that Geronimo had nine wives is very interesting, but may have been normal in that time period. I do not really understand how or why he surrendered with such support from his family.
Geronimo having so many wives is disturbing to me. I wonder why any group of women would want to do that or agree to it. It was also suprising that his whole family was murdered and that he just eventually surrendered after killing people.
It is shocking that he died after falling off of his horse. I think it is almost scenic
I love how Geronimo used guerrilla tactics on the people he acted it is almost the ironic Indian battles.
I never realized that this is where the phrase “Geronimo” came from. I understand that he killed many people but I do not understand why he was called “the worst indian who ever lived”. His family was murdered and he lost the only home he knew.
Today’s laws are so much different from how they used to be. Today he would not be allowed to have so many wives or kill others. He got away with so much back then.
Most laws today are taken advantage of, and used very differently than when they were first enforced. Today he would receive more consequences than I feel he would back then.
I am surprised that he surrendered and I am also shocked that he died after falling off of his horse.
When I think of the Wild West, it seemed so long ago, but this shows that it was a lot closer than I thought.
Great story. I didn’t know that people thought that he was terrible, whenever I have heard references to him he was praised in a way.
I did not know that Apache rode in with President Roosevelt on his inaugural parade in 1905. That is awesome, especially at a time where race was a huge issue in the US.
It is interesting that they would let a man of such rage ride in the presidential parade. However, I find it interesting that it took us so long to capture him.
As I pursue a nursing career, I found it very interesting that he developed pneumonia after falling off of his horse. When you think about ways that these “macho” men would be taken down after committing such crimes, falling off of your steed and getting sick is not the way I’d expect him to have gone out.
great story but i didn’t like the part when you kill the family by mixican
Wow, I didn’t know that he dies at Fort Sill. I actually went there while serving in the military. I do not blame him for going on a rampage after his family was killed.
It is interesting to see how the article says that some said Geronimo was the worse Indian who ever lived. We read what he does but I would definitely like to see more about different opinions on his actions. I thought this because how he hated the Mexican Armies but still robbed and killed Americans, so it would be interesting.
What a terrible way to die for a man who is a Native American War hero. It seems as if the U.S. tried to patch things up with him in a failed attempt.
It seems strange to me that Geronimo surrendered after committing murders and then is permitted to be in wild west shows and was in Teddy Roosevelt’s inaugural parade.
I guess I would feel the same about certain things. It’s hard for one not to judge when your family is involved. One will do what they have to do to protect their family.
What I am not understanding is why Geronimo would be praised by being allowed to participate in a parade with Teddy Roosevelt in 1905 when he had surrendered to the U.S. Army for raiding Mexican and white settlers for over 30 years. Does anyone have any thoughts on this?
Always enjoy a good retaliation story. I never knew the background of Geronimo.
I think if someone came and killed my wife and children I might retaliate too.
Geronimo is one of the well known names of all Native American Indians. I agree how would any of us feel if our land was invaded by unknown people and your family were killed. I wouldn’t be okay with that. Also to think they put his rifle and possibly his bones on display is pretty bad. Imagine if the shoe was on the other foot.
The fact that this man raided two countries and killed soldiers from two countries for as long as he did is just amazing. What a fascinating historical figure!
When we talk and learn about history this is one aspect that really just blows my mind , how someone could get away with killing and invading someones home. Then wonder why they got the I don’t care attitude from Geronimo when it came to him killing soldiers and Americans due to family being killed. I believe at this point his anger was so livid that everyone fell victim.
Well, now I know where the term Geronimo come from. This guy is extremely interesting, having a total of 9 wives is impressive. I can completely understand this mans hatred for the Mexican people, as the Mexicans raided his camp and killed his mother, wife and 3 children (While he was out of the village). This man wanted revenge and it sounds like he got some.
What has been interesting is how a lot of these famous wild west and Native American men and women I heard about growing up as a kid in San Antonio. I remember screaming Geronimo while playing games when I would jump off a cliff or cannonball into a swimming pool. It wasn’t until later that the tern that held such little meaning as a kid took shape when I learned about him as a teenager. It is fun reading and learning about him all over again.
I am interested about his 9 wives. I am wondering if he was married to all of them at the same time, or if his wives had very short life spans. Again for a man who supposedly yawned a lot, he was very busy. It is really sad though that his family passed, and I believe he was truly heartbroken.
I am curious to learn if the wife that was murdered was included in the count of 9 wies. I wonder how many children he had, if he did have anymore.
I congratulate Geronimo for surviving such a harsh time for the Indians. I find it even more amazing that he was able to survive nine wives. He must of been descent person to be invited to the presidential inaguration.
The one thing most people don’t realize is that Geronimo did not start out like, but a single incident change his life. I think that if I was in his shoes during those times I would of done same to get revenge on the people that kill my family. When I was station at Ft. Sam Houston, Texas, we had to stand guard at a old Fort that Geronimo was held at. There are wild animals the roam the Fort and it was told to us that animals had been there since Geronimo had been in prison there because Geronimo would not eat any food unless he capture it himself.
It is only to be expected that someone whether it be a Native American or anyone else for that matter would turn against the people that slaughtered his family. I don’t blame him for seeking revenge on the people that took the lives of his family. That is the reaction from mostly anyone who would have to go through something like that.
Cant blame him for wanting revenge. Sounds like it was a bad time for native Americans and the fact that he was so resilient is amazing.
Geronimo had it rough after his family got shot and killed. I could only imagine what I would do if that happened to me. Now I agree did he surrender or was he forced.
I definitely would have went by another name as well if my name meant “one who yawns”. I can also understand wanting revenge for the death of his family.
It seams that Geronimo was living a “normal” life until the Mexican soldiers came in and killed his family. This devastating event changed his life and he went looking for revenge.
It appears that Geronimo was facing several challenges. Between overcoming his wife and children being murdered, feeling hatred toward the Mexicans and Americans, and the underlying issues of losing land the Native Americans felt they owned, I am not surprised to see the outpouring of hate Geronimo led.
How did the word Geronimo become part of our vernacular? It seems to be used when throwing all caution to the wind. A strange ending place for the name of one who yawns.
I am also curious as to how Geronimo’s name got turned in to something you yell while jumping out of a plane or off a cliff. It seems to me that Geronimo let his rage take over and control the rest of his life which is so sad.
i find this article a bit confusing and interesting at the same time. He had faced many challenges in his time however it does not make sense that he would surrender like he did.
Geronimo was getting old, and the incredibly hard life he led on the run was not an old man’s job. Plus, he was running out of allies and places to hide, and the white men hunting him were only growing in number. My guess is he was too tired to go on.
I really enjoyed reading this article. As most people I too wonder how his name came to be used as it is today.
With the Mexican and American Army after Geronimo, I’m surprised it took as long as it did to get Geronimo to finally surrender. I also believe that Geronimo had a point when he felt, as a Native American, his people had owned the land in the first place.
I also found it pretty surprising that Geronimo was allowed to ride in President Teddy Roosevelt’s inaugural parade; what an interesting turn of events given all that was going on in that time period.
Why surrender after such a long time fleeing and killing? To me, that doesn’t make any sense. Nor does his treatment after he supposedly surrendered. He was able to ride in a President’s parade after his surrender. That is weird.
I luckily do not understand the rage and desire for revenge that Geronimo felt after his family was murdered. Sad.
This article was confusing, but interesting. For everything he did, and still got to be present in the President’s inaugural parade.
I think his dedication was remarkable even though I do not necessarily agree with it I would more than likely react in the same matter that he did
If someone killed my family I would not hesitate to seek the harshest revenge I could possibly construct. I cant imagine life without them, I would go out fighting though, no use for surrender!
I thought this was a really interesting story. I can understand either side. Although I am not a revengeful person, I can see how angry and hurt he would be and can understand wanting revenge.
Wow. This man suffered greatly. Then the US government used him as a prop. Sad!
Talk about getting revenge, but I would not go so far and say he was the worst Indian who ever lived. There is a lot of history that has remain untold and undiscovered.
Without any doubt whatsoever, the worst Indian that ever lived played for the Cleveland Indians! (Pick one…)
Since Geronimo’s wife and children were killed by Mexican solider. He was wanting to revenge for his family member. The unceasing war and fight made Geronimo experiencing a lot of difficulties. Finally, He give up about the fight, he was taken to Oklahoma and never back on his native land.
I have yelled “Geronimo” a few times in my life, now I know what it means! His surrender may have been due to him simply being tired. Nine wives? That is crazy. Fighting out of revenge all those years caught up to him. I bet there was an agreement though with the government regarding his surrender.
Geronimo!! I can’t believe he went to Teddy Roosevelt’s inaugural parade! It seems that as hard as he fought, the last thing he would do is celebrate a white president of the land that was stolen from him.
Hillary Clinton went to Donald Trump’s inauguration…
It was sad to see Geronimo’s wife and child were killed by Mexican soldiers. HIs main focus was trying to fight against Mexican Soldiers for revenge. Later, his persistence made him fall down on the ground in the cold weather, he was died but his story made himself famous and he was indirectly surrender in the end.
I am not surprised to read about Geronimo’s retaliation after troops killed his wife and child, especially when considering how prominent the “eye-for-an-eye” style of justice was during the time. It is interesting that this Native American went on to be recognized in President Roosevelt’s inauguration parade.
This was a pretty cool in-depth look at Geronimo, but seriously…. why do we yell his name when we jump out of planes?
There is an interesting article on Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geronimo_(exclamation) that offers 3 different tales of how the famous paratrooper cry came about. Especially interesting is the unit patch for the 501st Parachute Battalion featuring the name, Geronimo.
For being known as “the worst Indian who ever lived” he sure did get a lot of recognition, such as in Roosevelt’s inaugural parade. I just wonder why?
Teddy Roosevelt was a man that recognized courage and convictions in other men. Despite the vilification of Geronimo by the media, TR knew a brave man when he saw one.
It’s funny that Geronimo’s real name, Goyaale, means “one who yawned” since that’s pretty much the opposite of anything Geronimo ever did. The reason for his hatred of Mexicans become much more clear after learning that it was Mexican soldiers who had killed his wife, children, and even his own mother.
Thank goodness Americans are not normally named by their personal actions or traits, or we would have some pretty embarrassing names floating around!
I never knew why people yelled Geronimo when they were jumping! I don’t understand why he is called the worst Indian who ever lived, he was just trying to protect his land. The Mexicans killed his wife and children, he was just fighting for his family in my opinion.
One man’s “worst Indian” is another man’s “freedom fighter.” It all depends on which side you are on.
The conquering of the West is a subject that really impacts me. I find it awful and unfair that so many Native American were brutally killed just because white settlers wanted their land. I feel it is a dishonor for people to think back on that time with pride.
It is interesting how the victors tell the tails. He is known as the worst Indian ever, but I feel there was a much different opinion held by the Indians. We are so biased to day that Geronimo is seen as bad by his given name, yet he fought in remembrance of his loved ones.
What baffles us, is why doesn’t anyone name “The Best Indian Ever?”
I do not understand why he is called the worst Indian ever, as he was just protecting what was his in the first place– it is a natural human instinct to not give into and fight for what is yours. He was just fighting for himself
After Geronimo’s wife, children, and mother were killed by Mexican soldiers I can see why he fought for what was his without a doubt. I don’t understand why people would say he was the worst Indian ever. I thought it was crazy that he had 9 wives!
One man’s crazy is another man’s harem…
“One Who Yawns” You learn something new everyday, I suppose
Better than “Dances With Skanks,” or “One Tooth Terry.”
I found it fascinating that he was evading both the Mexicans and Americans with such success! It’s cool that his weapons are on display in museums.
As we found out in Vietnam and in Afghanistan, it is hard to catch people on foot or horseback in rough terrain.
I find it intriguing that Geronimo and his tribe were being searched by both the Mexicans and Americans! How intense that feeling must have been.
Geronimo surrendering was a very significant moment in history. I also found it very interesting that there is a museum display because I enjoy historical objects and buildings.
The meaning of his name is very interesting and not very fitting for such a man. While he seemed to have a reason to be angry with the Mexican soldiers, I would have to say there was a better way to handle the situation.
Geronimo has almost the same story as the Apache Kid. His wife and kids were killed so he got revenge.
I find it really interesting in the last paragraph, how there are a few controversies floating around. Must have been a couple of discrepancies and claims for such a critical character, maybe for one’s own gains?
I found it interesting that Geronimo rode in Teddy Roosevelt’s inaugural parade. That is a fun fact.
It is interesting that even though he was chased after for theft and murder, he was allowed to make an appearance in shows as a celebrity.
It is pretty interesting that Geronimo had the opportunity to ride in Teddy Roosevelt’s inaugural parade and also had nine wives!
It’s interesting that despite his raids and murders of Americans he was sill able to make appearances at wild west shows as a celebrity, and he rode in Teddy Roosevelt’s presidential inaugural parade in 1905. Ironic.
I was fascinated that he invaded both the Mexicans and Americans with success. It also really surprised me that even after murdering Americans he was still in wild west shows as a clebrity
I could not imagine loosing my wife, children and mother all from a specific group of people. I would have fought for my family in his case as well.
I found it interesting Geronimo’s actual Apache name was Goyaale, which means “One who yawns.” I don’t understand why his name meant this but i like how unique it is and wish more names had interesting meanings such as his
I do not think a criminal like Geronimo would be able to ride with the President in this day of age.
I think it is interesting that both American and Mexican officials were after Geronimo and he was still able to be successful. Also, reading about him makes me wonder if the using the expression “Geronimo!” when you’re ready to leave a place quickly ties back to him in anyway.
Despite the fact that his activities were awful I can comprehend the sentiment needing revenge after the killings of his family. I can’t envision what it probably been similar to be a Native American around then. To see your friends and family slaughtered over land would be incomprehensib
Geronimo might have been one of the most persistent of apache warriors with a vengeful mindset after his wife and kids had been killed in the Mexican war. He believed that his people truthfully owned the land, in a way, they were there setting up their civilizations before the European settlers turned Americans.
Interestingly, although he was hunted and killed by Americans for theft and murder, he was able to attend the celebrity show in the West and participate in the inauguration of President Teddy Roosevelt 1905. It’s ironic.
Geronimo is a very interesting story and one I enjoy reading about. I did not know that a person who could be hunted down by the American and Mexican government would be in the Presidential Inauguration parade. Could you imagine if Trump would have done something like this?