What is a hero? Everyone has their own versions of what it means to them, but the basic underlying factors is someone who is selfless, and doing good for the cause of others. For some people this could be their parents, friends, family, or even celebrities. I’m sure many people who hear the name “Geronimo” and have maybe some knowledge of who he is, would consider him a hero of sorts, but not I. He is known for his “bravery in fighting for his homeland” but in this fight, there were many lives lost.
Geronimo was born in 1829 in what is known today as Arizona. He was a writer and married to Alope by the time he was 17, but that would all soon change. March 5th in 1851 his wife, mother, and three children were killed by Mexican troops. Geronimo is a controversial character, he’s known for doing some good but also brutal murders, Often people who were not armed or dangerous to them. He was a victim of the times, certainly. A man who fought for a noble cause, in a brutal and harsh way. This tragedy would bring devastation to anyone, so like what anyone would do, set fire to his family’s belongings, gather 200 men and hunted down the Mexican soldiers who killed his family. This search and brutality would go on for 10 years. (Geronimo 27) He would spend most of his life on the run , being apart of the Chiricahua tribe, the Bedonkohe.
The Apaches would ambush and attack stagecoaches and wagon trains. the Chiricahua leader, Geronimo’s father in law, was disappointed in him and called a halt to this war. Things were somewhat calm for awhile, but then Chiricahua passed away and Geronimo was back at it. Until the authorities finally caught him in 1877 and sent him to the San Carlos Apache reservation. After 4 years he finally escaped and was back out doing what he did best, destroying whatever got in his way. After 5 years proving what would be the last of the Indian wars against the US. His followers viewed him as a great and brave leader who never gave up, others viewed him as stubborn, violent and foolish. One quote that Geronimo says from the book is, “If I am killed no one need mourn for me. My people have all been killed in that country, and I too, will die if need be.” (Geronimo 30)
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On February 11th, 1887, the Senate passed the following resolution, “RESOLVED, That the Secretary of War be directed to communicate to the Senate all dispatches of General Miles referring to the surrender of Geronimo, and all instructions given to and correspondence with General Miles in reference to the same.” (Geronimo 89) From bouncing from prison to prison, the group spent 27 years as prisoners of war. FInally, in February of 1909 Geronimo was thrown from his horse and did survive the night, but would ultimately die six days later. He admitted he should of never surrendered and kept on fighting. Who knows what might of come of that, probably more and more deaths. So in my personal opinion I do not think he is a hero, did he do some good? Yes. But I feel as though the cons outweigh the pros as to how many lives were lost throughout this fight of revenge.
