Geronimo, 1829-1909

N. E. Mitchell sends President Roosevelt a Navajo blanket which was “captured along with Geronimo and his band.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901

A famous Apache warrior and five other Western Indian chiefs march in the Inaugural Parade

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1905-03-20

Indian chiefs in the forefront during the Inaugural parade. The back of the stereograph describes the uniqueness of Roosevelt’s inauguration.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1905-06-19

President Roosevelt received the letter of the Boston Indian Citizenship Committee through Senator Henry Cabot Lodge, and responds to their appeal on behalf of a group of Navajo, led by Ba’álílee, who are currently imprisoned for their actions attacking United States soldiers on Navajo land. Roosevelt defends the actions that Commissioner of Indian Affairs Francis Henry Leupp took in this case, and gives him the benefit of the doubt in regards to a recent speech that Leupp made. Roosevelt has had charges made against Leupp investigated, and never found merit to any of them.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-29

President Roosevelt forwards S. M. Barrett a letter from Scribners‘, which is similar to one he received from Century as well. He is sorry that the publishing houses do not seem to be interested in Barrett’s translation of Geronimo’s autobiography, and relays a suggestion from Commissioner of Indian Affairs Frances E. Leupp that if the book were published, that Geronimo himself could sell copies to the visitors who come to see him. Century has not returned Barrett’s manuscript yet, but Roosevelt has written to ask that they do so, and will forward it to Barrett as soon as he has it.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-04-06

President Roosevelt sends Richard Watson Gilder of The Century Company a manuscript by S. M. Barrett, who has translated Geronimo’s book. Roosevelt knows that Gilder will not publish the book solely on his recommendation, but asks that Gilder look at it and consider whether he thinks it would sell, as Roosevelt feels that it would worth publishing in order to preserve autobiographical records of Native American life.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-03-27

President Roosevelt returns Superintendent of Education S.M. Barrett’s translation of Geronimo’s autobiography, which he thinks is interesting. He advises Barrett to write a preface outlining how he got the volume from Geronimo and disclaiming responsibility for any of his statements. Although he cannot guarantee that it will be published, Roosevelt can send the manuscript to Scribner’s or Century and tell them to look at it. The word “Personal” is typed at the top of the first page.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-03-03

John C. Robison is greatly interested in Indians and has read many books on the subject in addition to Theodore Roosevelt’s works and asks for reading recommendations. His life would have been different had Roosevelt reappointed him as Indian Allotting Agent in 1904, but he understands that Roosevelt did his best with the given information. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-08-14

Charles Fletcher Lummis wishes President Roosevelt “Good Hunting” while he is in Africa, and hopes to give him “a lot of good stuff” from his collection on Spanish America once he gets back. Lately, Lummis has been receiving “nice reminders” from those involved in the Apache Wars. Lummis attaches a signed photograph of himself and would like Roosevelt to send one of himself.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-01-21

William Loeb returned the proofs of the preface and introduction to Geronimo’s autobiography with Theodore Roosevelt’s edits and suggestions. Duffield & Company will make the advised changes to the manuscript.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-05

John B. Ashbaugh examines Theodore Roosevelt’s complicated views on race and charts his history with various ethnic and racial groups, including Native Americans, African-Americans, and Jews. Ashbaugh highlights the influence of Roosevelt’s southern born and raised mother and her brothers, both of whom served the Confederacy during the Civil War. Ashbaugh stresses that Roosevelt’s views evolved over time, and he demonstrates how Roosevelt believed in and promoted the Progressive views of his time such as the assimilation of Native Americans, but that he also respected many aspects of Native culture and had enduring friendships with individual Native Americans. Ashbaugh presents Roosevelt’s views on Jews and immigration, and he details many aspects of Roosevelt’s feelings toward and relationship with African-Americans, including his condemnation of lynching, his White House dinner with Booker T. Washington, and the Brownsville incident.

Five photographs and two illustrations appear in the text.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

This stereograph depicts Geronimo at the St. Louis World’s Fair.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1904