Geronimo's heir seeks return of legend's remains
SANTA FE -- Legend has it that Yale University's ultrasecret Skull and Bones society swiped the remains of American Indian leader Geronimo nearly a century ago from an Army outpost in Oklahoma.
Now, Geronimo's great-grandson wants the remains returned.
Harlyn Geronimo, 59, of Mescalero, N.M., wants to prove the skull and bones purportedly taken from a burial plot in Fort Sill, Okla., are those of his great-grandfather. They're now said to be in a stone tomb that serves as the club's headquarters.
If they are proven to be those of Geronimo, his great-grandson wants them buried near the Indian leader's birthplace in southern New Mexico's Gila Wilderness. "He died as a prisoner of war, and he is still a prisoner of war because his remains were not returned to his homeland," Harlyn Geronimo said. "Presently, we are looking for a proper consecrated burial."
Harlyn Geronimo grew up hearing stories about his great-grandfather fought the Mexican and US armies.
After their families were captured and sent to Florida, Geronimo and 35 warriors surrendered to General Nelson A. Miles in 1886. Geronimo was sent to Fort Sill, where he died of pneumonia in 1909.
If the bones at Yale aren't those of Geronimo, Harlyn Geronimo believes they belonged to one of the
John Fryar, a retired Bureau of Indian Affairs special agent , said if the secret society does have remains, they should be returned to Fort Sill. "To ignore a request like this for the return of human remains is totally uncalled for," he said.
