On this day in 1886, Apache Chief Geronimo surrendered to General George Crook. This was the end of the Indian Wars against the US – though Geronimo always maintained that Crook did not uphold the agreement reached when he surrendered.
At one point, nearly 25% of the US Army was in pursuit of this one man.
Geronimo with General George Crook in Council March 27, 1886
In later years, Geronimo remained a war prisoner, but was frequently trotted out for people to see and enjoy his celebrity. At a staged press day, here he is driving in 1905. The car is a 1904 Model C Locomobile, and the Indian in full headdress to Geronimo’s left is Edward Le Clair Sr., a Ponca Indian. Geronimo so admired Le Clair’s beaded vest that it was presented to him later in the day. When Geronimo died in 1909, he was buried in the vest.
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