Hodges Soileau (American, B. 1943) "Geronimo" Signed lower right. Original Mixed Media painting on Illustration Board.

Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation.

This painting originally appeared on the Fleetwood Geronimo Commemorative Cover postmarked September 4, 1982.

Geronimo was born about 1829 on the Gila River in Arizona. He was named Goyathlay, the One Who Yawns, but after Mexican raiders slew several members of his family in 1850, he became so fierce that the Mexicans called him Geronimo. Soon his own people were using the name as a battle cry. His people joined forces with other small groups of Apaches, including the Mimbrenos of Mangas Coloradas and the Chiricahuas of the famed Cochise. Not until the 1870's did Geronimo come into public notice as a powerful Apache leader. On April 21, 1877, John P. Clum, an Indian agent, entrapped Geronimo at Ojo Caliente. This was the first and only time in his life that he was captured. Reservation life was distasteful to the free-roaming Chiricahuas and, on April 4, 1878, Geronimo led a breakout from San Carlos Reservation. After voluntarily returning, he led a second breakout on May 17, 1885. General George Crook pursued Geronimo relentlessly, and on September 23, 1887 the aging warrior surrendered -- only to change his mind a few days later and flee into Mexico. At last on September 4, 1887, Geronimo surrendered to General Nelson Miles and with many of his warriors and their families was sent to imprisonment in Florida and Alabama. Although he lived until February 17, 1909, Geronimo never returned to his homeland in Arizona. He spent his last years dictating his autobiography and occasionally visiting fairs and other public exhibitions. He was the last of the great Apache war chiefs.

Image Size: 15.25 x 13.5 in.
Overall Size: 21.25 x 19.25 in.
Unframed.
(B06815)

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21.25 x 19.25 in