In the latter part of that summer I asked the old chief to allow me to publish some of the things he had told me, but he objected, saying, however, that if I would pay him, and if the officers in charge did not object, he would tell me the whole story of his life. I immediately called at the fort (Fort Sill) and asked the officer in charge, Lieutenant Purington, for permission to write the life of Geronimo. I was promptly informed that the privilege would not be granted. Lieutenant Purington explained to me the many depredations committed by Geronimo and his warriors, and the enormous cost of subduing the Apaches, adding that the old Apache deserved to be hanged rather than spoiled by so much attention from civilians. A suggestion from me that our government had paid many soldiers and officers to go to Arizona and kill Geronimo and the Apaches, and that they did not seem to know how to do it, did not prove very gratifying to the pride of the regular army officer, and I decided to seek elsewhere for permission. Accordingly I wrote to President Roosevelt that here was an old Indian who had been held a prisoner of war for twenty years and had never been given a chance to tell his side of the story, and asked that Geronimo be granted permission to tell for publication, in his own way, the story of his life, and that he be guaranteed that the publication of his story would not affect unfavorably the Apache prisoners of war. By return mail I received word that the authority had been granted. In a few days I received word from Fort Sill that the President had ordered the officer in charge to grant permission as requested. An interview was requested that I might receive the instructions of the War Department. When I went to Fort Sill the officer in command handed me the following brief, which constituted my instructions:
Lawton, Oklahoma, .
Geronimo—Apache Chief—
S. M. Barrett, Supt. Schools.
Letter to the President stating that above-mentioned desires to tell his life story that it may be published, and requests permission to tell it in his own way, and also desires assurance that what he has to say will in no way work a hardship for the Apache tribe.
1st Endorsement.
War Department,
The Military Secretary’s Office,
Washington, .Respectfully referred, by direction of the Acting Chief of Staff, through headquarters, Department of Texas, to the Officer In Charge of the Apache prisoners of war at Fort Sill, Oklahoma Territory, for remark and recommendation.
2nd Endorsement.
Headquarters Department of Texas,
Military Secretary’s Office,
San Antonio, .Respectfully transmitted to 1st Lieut. George A. Purington, 8th Cavalry, In Charge of Apache prisoners. (Thro’ Commanding Officer, Fort Sill, O.T.)
By Command of Brigadier General Lee.
3rd Endorsement.
Fort Sill, O.T., .
Respectfully referred to 1st Lieut. G. A. Purington, 8th Cavalry, Officer in charge of Apache prisoners of war, for remark and recommendation.
By Order of Captain Dade.
4th Endorsement.
Fort Sill, O.T., .
Respectfully returned to the Adjutant, Fort Sill, O.T. I can see no objection to Geronimo telling the story of his past life, providing he tells the truth. I would recommend that Mr. S. M. Barrett be held responsible for what is written and published.
5th Endorsement.
Fort Sill, O.T., .
Respectfully returned to the Military Secretary, Dept. of Texas, San Antonio, Texas, inviting attention to 4th endorsement hereon. It is recommended that the manuscript be submitted before publication to Lieut. Purington, who can pass upon the truth of the story.
6th Endorsement.
Headquarters Dept. of Texas,
San Antonio, .Respectfully returned to the Military Secretary, War Department, Washington, D.C., inviting attention to the preceding endorsement hereon, which is concurred in.
7th Endorsement.
War Department,
Office of the Chief of Staff,
Washington, .Respectfully submitted to the Honorable the Secretary of War, inviting attention to the foregoing endorsements.
8th Endorsement.
War Department,
.Respectfully returned to the Acting Chief of Staff to grant the necessary authority in this matter, through official channels, with the express understanding that the manuscript of the book shall be submitted to him before publication. Upon receipt of such manuscript the Chief of Staff will submit it to such person as he may select as competent to make a proper and critical inspection of the proposed publication.
9th Endorsement.
War Department,
The Military Secretary’s Office,
Washington, .Respectfully returned, by direction of the Acting Chief of Staff, to the Commanding General, Dept. of Texas, who will give the necessary instructions for carrying out the directions of the Acting Secretary of War, contained in the 8th endorsement. It is desired that Mr. Barrett be advised accordingly.
10th Endorsement.
Headquarters Dept. of Texas,
Military Secretary’s Office,
San Antonio, .Respectfully referred to the Commanding Officer, Fort Sill, Oklahoma Territory, who will give the necessary instructions for carrying out the direction of the Acting Secretary of War contained in the 8th endorsement hereon.
This paper will be shown and fully explained to Mr. Barrett, and then returned to these headquarters.
By order of Colonel Hughes.
