Rensselaer Republican, Volume 19, Number 14, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 December 1886 — DOOMED TO A SLOW DEATH. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

DOOMED TO A SLOW DEATH.

The Apaches Not to Be Tried—Changed Conditions Will Exterminate Them. News comes from Florida, Where ths recently captured Apaches are in prison, that Geronimo, the bloodthirsty chief of the band, is suffering from a lung affection that is extremely liable to turn into hasty consumption. In that event nature may solve a problem that the administration is puzzled over. \What to do with Geronimo is a matter that is sorely trying the wits of

the high officials at Washington. The people of Arizona are clamoring for his scalp. Under the terms of capitulation it appears that Gen. Miles promised the old fellow his life. Here is where the rub comes. Geronimo is a half-breed Mexican, and is about 50 years old. He was captured and adopted by the’ Mwicaus when a mere child. His health at present is said to be very delicate. , [Washinston special,] The fa‘e of the Indians captured in the Miles campaign is practically settled. It was not decided when they were first sent East whether any of them would be tried lor crimes or not. The President has examined the case very carefully, and has come to the conclusion that life confinement for all of these Indians in Florida, where they can do no harm, will be the most thorough punishment which can be visited upon them. As a matter of fact, the five hundred Indians transferred to Florida have been sentenced to a lingering death. They been brought up in the mountain countries, accustomed to freedom in the pire, cold air of high altitudes. Their confinement in the warm climate of Florida will simply result in their dying off like so many sheep. Experienced army officers do not think that there will be one of them alive at the end of the next' five years.

GERONIMO.