In the years after his 1886 surrender, Geronimo began the transformation from monster to legend. During the relocation to Fort Sill crowds gathered at whistle-stops to cheer the celebrated warrior. Geronimo responded with savvy pragmatism, selling his block-lettered autograph for 25 cents a copy. With special permission from the War Department, Geronimo was allowed to travel as a side-show attraction. He attended the Omaha and Buffalo expositions (and was at the Pan-American Exposition in 1901 when President McKinley was assassinated) and the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair. He spent a year with a “Wild West” show, and cashed in on his reputation by selling souvenir bows and arrows, autographed pictures of himself, even the buttons off his coat.
At the request of Theodore Roosevelt, Geronimo was brought to Washington to ride in the President’s inaugural parade on March 4, 1905 along with chieftains from other tribes. As Geronimo galloped down Pennyslvania Avenue, people in the dense crowd hollered “Hooray for Geronimo!” and tossed their hats in the air.
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| Geronimo (2nd from right) passing in review at Teddy Roosevelt Inauguration on March 4, 1905 |
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