More than 300 Apaches of the Chiricahua, Warm Springs, and Nedni tribes are buried beneath Oklahoma skies far from their native haunts in Arizona, New Mexico, and northern Mexico. During and after the Geronimo campaign of 1886, these people—hostiles, friendlies, and scouts alike—were sent as prisoners-of-war to Florida, then to Alabama. In 1894 they were brought to Fort Sill, where they remained for the next 19 years. Living in 12 villages, with many of their leading men serving as soldiers and U.S. scouts, they built their own houses, fenced the entire military reserve, dug water tanks that still dot the landscape, raised 10,000 cattle, and grew bountiful crops. Granted freedom by Act of Congress in 1913, 183 returned to New Mexico while 82 settled on farms nearby. Their story reflects both a historic past and industry and perseverance on a long road to a new way of life.

Photo: Don Morfe

Photo: Don Morfe

Medicine Park, Oklahoma · USA