Rodeo, NM

(Click on the picture to enlarge it)

We left Bisbee and started our trek to Rodeo, NM and the east side of the Chiricahua Mountains. We traveled to Douglas, AZ and then north on HWY 80. While driving, we became concerned because of a constant diesel smell coming off the engine. This was not customary for TREK to stink like this while driving her. We decided to find a campsite and then figure out our next move. We wanted to camp in the Chiricahua National Monument area, but this portion of the national park system has been closed due to the economy. We drove up into the mountains only to see that the maintenance of roads and facilities normally provided by the park service were non-existent. This was very disappointing to both of us as we were looking forward to hiking and spending some time in this area. There had also been several crime issues committed by illegal aliens in the Portal, AZ area and for the second time on our trip, safety became the priority. We ended up staying one night at Rusty’s RV Park in Rodeo, NM.

Growing up as youngsters, we were exposed to many different stories about the Native American people in our country. To be able to relive some of these stories and discover the many truths of what really happened is always beneficial. Just south of Rodeo is a memorial monument dedicated to Geronimo, great Apache warrior and leader. It was just a short distance from this memorial that Geronimo, and his small band of people finally surrendered on September 6, 1886.

Prior to this final surrender date, on March 27, 1886 Geronimo agreed to surrender to General George Crook on the condition that he and his followers would be returned to the reservation after two years’ living in exile. Crook agreed, believing that he had secured the most favorable terms possible. President Cleveland and General Sheridan were infuriated. They both informed Crook that the conditions were “unconditional surrender” and that sparing their lives was the only condition of the bargain. Feeling betrayed, Geronimo and his people bolted the encampment on March 29th and fled to Mexico.

In mid-July General Nelson Miles heard that Geronimo and his people were again reconsidering surrender. Miles dispatched Lt. Charles Gatewood from Ft. Bowie with orders to seek out Geronimo. Gatewood crossed over into Mexico and on August 23, 1886, his scouts picked up Geronimo’s trail.

On August 24th, Gatewood met Geronimo and his people on the banks of the Bavispe River, which is in Mexico. They were told to surrender and that they would be sent to Florida with their families to wait out President Cleveland’s final decision on their fate. Geronimo was visibly shaken when informed that some of his relatives and friends had already been taken to Florida. On August 25th, Geronimo said he would go to the border and surrender to General Miles.

On September 6, 1886 Geronimo and a small portion of his original people agreed to the surrender terms. At this time there were only nineteen men and twenty-eight women and children left in his band of warriors. Six Apaches (3 men and 3 women) refused to accept the surrender terms and fled back to Mexico, where death at the hands of the Mexican border guards awaited them. The picture above is the actual site of Geroimo's surrender and is located in Skeleton Canyon just a short distance from the monument, which is off HWY 80.

The surrender of Geronimo in Skeleton Canyon on that historic day, forever ended Indian warfare in the United States.

CLICK HERE to see the pictures of this area.