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To the Editor:
Several years ago an older man camped on the outskirts of Tucson’s Desert Museum. He claimed to be Geronimo’s son and for $2 he took you in his camp and showed photos of his father. One was C.S. Fly’s famous picture of four warriors standing together at Cañon de los Embudos, Mexico, with one holding a child. The fellow claimed to be that child, but those of us who are familiar with Chiricahua Apache genealogy know that the baby grew up to become Isabel Perico.
In Bisbee not too long ago, a man who named himself Nino Cochise claimed he was either the son or grandson — depending on the audience — of the famous chief. He wrote a book about it and caused quite a ruckus for a short time, but eventually most everyone caught on to his prank.
Comes now Harlyn Geronimo, the focus of a recent Associated Press article published in the Herald, who wants his ancestor’s bones returned from Yale University’s Skull and Bones Society’s vault. Harlyn says he’s Geronimo’s great-grandson. I was first introduced to Harlyn and his brother, Joseph, long ago before they legally changed their surnames from Via to Geronimo. True descendants of Geronimo and most tribal members know who’s who, and the snick about it all.
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About 10 years ago I was contacted by a newspaper in the Northeast asking for a statement concerning Apache chief Mangas Colorada’s skull, revealed to be held in secret by Yale’s Skull and Bones. Failing to generate much interest, the news item faded. So, now it’s supposedly Geronimo’s remains that the society has stashed, and next time it might be Sitting Bull or Chief Joseph, or anyone else whose name echoes in history.
By the way, Geronimo is buried at Fort Sill, Okla., under tons of concrete, according to Towana Spivey, the curator of the Fort Sill Museum. I believe him.
H. Henrietta Stockel
Sierra Vista
