The last Geronimo Campaign

On April 23, 1886 the Geronimo Apaches, some 20 men and 13 women, in what would be their last escape, attack Casita and kill a man and his son in front of the houses of the ranch.

In response, 10 armed men from Imuris, under the command of Joaquin Quiroga, go after them, although they are ambushed, and Francisco Grijalva is killed. That night, the Magdalena Prefecto, Andres Rivero, arrives at Imuris by train, with 30 men, and there another group from Nogales is also united.

One day later, the Apaches are seen in Agua Zarca. On the 26th, they kill four people at Buenavista and the next day they attack Arthur Peck´s ranch (19 Miles North of Nogales). Cap. Thomas C. Lebo, from the US army, is also sent after them, commanding 30 soldiers.

On the 28, the Indians kill eight people near Crittenden (some 30 Miles Northeast of Nogales), and after this attack they enter Sonora through the Sierra del Pajarito. The US soldiers that are following their trails also enter Sonora (There was a State agreement that allowed armed forces from both nations to cross the border following Apaches), and make their encampment at La Arizona Ranch.

Next day, following the tracks left by the Indians, the soldiers cross the railroad tracks and also enter the Sierra del Pinito. On May 3, Cap. Lebo makes contact with the Indians near the Santa Barbara Peaks, lasting the fight about one hour. When night falls, the US soldiers decide to go to the river in search of water, and when they return next day, the Indians have left.

Geronimo and his men again go West, and the Altar Prefecto, with 70 men, arrive at La Arizona to intercept them. They make contact with the Indians in the Avispas Canyon, engaging in combat, although the Indians kill two men, wound three more, and 30 horses are stolen by the Apaches.

On the 12th, in the same canyon begins another engagement around 11 AM, but the Indians burn the forest to distract their followers, and later attack the soldiers by their rear. Due to the lateness of the day, the soldiers decide to return to La Arizona to spend the night.

And again, next day the Indians have escaped. On the 18th, two US citizens are found dead in Planchas de Plata: J. Sullivan and D. Mac Karty, as well as a mail postman of Mr. Barnett, owner of La Arizona. However, the indians have escaped again by then, and gone to Santa Cruz, where they ambush and kill several US soldiers. Then they return again near La Arizona.

On June 11, some cattle is stolen from La Arizona, although his owner, commanding 30 men, recuperates the cattle. Soon after this, the Indians are seen crossing through Promontorio, where they kill Santos Garcia.

This will be the last killing within the Municipio made by the Apaches. Geronimo decides then to go to the Arizpe District, and it won´t be until September when he will surrender for the last time to the US army, in Skeleton Canyon (Northeast of Agua Prieta, on the US side of the border).