Frontispiece
The subject of the autobiography, whose life story is presented in the frontispiece.
Dedicatory
Author and dedicatee of the story, speaking directly to President Roosevelt.
Introductory
The subject of the autobiography; he agrees to tell his life story in his own way, insists on keeping promises despite illness, and is initially reserved but opens up when a connection to General Howard is mentioned.
Geronimo’s Story of His Life
Narrator and protagonist; recounts his life from youth to old age, including family loss, warfare, and imprisonment.
Part I: The Apaches
Central figure of the narrative, introduced as a member of the Apache tribe.
Origin of the Apache Indians
Geronimo is the narrator of this creation story, recounting the Apache origin myth.
II: Subdivisions of the Apache Tribe
Narrator and member of the Bedonkohe sub-tribe.
III: Early Life
Narrator and subject of the chapter; describes his birth, family, and early life experiences.
Tribal Amusements, Manners, and Customs
Narrator describing his childhood and early hunting experiences, beginning to follow the chase at age eight or ten.
The Family
Narrator; becomes a warrior and marries Alope.
Part II: The Mexicans
Narrates the massacre of his family and his vow of vengeance against the Mexicans.
VI: Kas-Ki-Yeh
Loses his mother, wife, and three children in the massacre at Kas-ki-yeh; burns his family's teepee and possessions; vows vengeance; rallies other tribes; leads the battle and is made war chief.
Part I: The Massacre
Loses his mother, wife Alope, and three children in the massacre; burns their belongings and vows vengeance.
Part II: The Revenge
Appointed to solicit aid from other tribes; leads the battle at Arispe and is made war chief of all the Apaches.
VII: Fighting Under Difficulties
Narrator and protagonist; leads multiple raids into Mexico, suffers severe wounds, and remains undeterred in his quest for vengeance.
VIII: Raids That Were Successful
Leader of the raids, describes his command decisions and personal actions during the expeditions.
IX: Varying Fortunes
Narrator and leader of multiple raids into Mexico, taking command after Mangus-Colorado refused to lead.
Other Raids
Geronimo disclaims involvement in the events of this chapter and refuses to discuss depredations he was not responsible for.
Mexican Raid
Narrator of the account, reflecting on the raid as an example of injustice.
Apache Raids
Disclaims involvement in the raids described, but refuses to say whether he knows about them; holds it unmanly to tell of depredations for which he was not responsible.
XI: Heavy Fighting
Narrator and leader of the Apache warriors in the battles and raids described.
Battle of White Hill
Narrates the Battle of White Hill and other engagements; leads the charge and gives tactical orders.
XII: Geronimo's Mightiest Battle
Narrates the battle; shoots the Mexican general; recounts his eight wounds and his enduring hatred for Mexicans.
Part III: The White Men
Narrator and central figure, describing his people's experiences with white men.
XIII: Coming of the White Men
Narrator and participant in the first encounters with white men, later takes the warpath after the treachery at Apache Pass.
XIV: Greatest of Wrongs
Narrator and protagonist; opposes the treaty with Apache Tejo, leads the remaining band, and is elected Tribal Chief after Mangus's death.
Removals
Narrator and tribal chief who leads his people to Hot Springs and later makes a treaty with General Howard.
XVI: In Prison and on the Warpath
Narrator and central figure; imprisoned, chained, and later led his people off the reservation.
The Final Struggle
Narrator and protagonist; leads a small band, negotiates treaty with General Miles.
Surrender of Geronimo
Surrenders to General Miles at Skeleton Canyon; negotiates terms for his band.
XIX: A Prisoner of War
Narrator and central figure; describes his imprisonment, labor, family separations, and interactions with officials.
XIX: A Prisoner of War
Geronimo's daughter; lives with him after his wife's death.
Part IV: The Old and the New
Central figure reflecting on the clash between old traditions and new realities.
Unwritten Laws of the Apaches
Describes the unwritten laws and customs; announces and directs his daughter Eva's debut dance.
Unwritten Laws of the Apaches
Geronimo's daughter; makes her debut dance at the September 1905 ceremony.
Salt Lake
Narrator describing the salt lake and the customs surrounding it.
Preparation of a Warrior
Narrator describing the warrior preparation process from his own experience.
Dances
Narrator and director of the social dance for his daughter Eva's debut.
Dances
Geronimo's daughter, whose coming-of-age dance is the centerpiece of the social dance description.
A Social Dance
Organizes and directs the dance for his daughter Eva's debut.
A Social Dance
Geronimo's daughter, making her debut into womanhood at the dance.
At the World's Fair
Narrator and participant at the World's Fair; sold photographs and autographs, observed exhibits, and was guarded by government agents.
At the World's Fair
Geronimo's youngest daughter, age sixteen, mentioned in the caption.
Religion
Narrates his understanding of Apache spirituality and his conversion to Christianity.
Hopes for the Future
Speaker of the chapter, expressing hopes for the future of his people.
Endnotes
Geronimo's words and actions are frequently clarified or corrected by the editor; he is noted for his refusal to eat bacon or pork, his use of a shrill call to summon horses, and his shy laugh when told of Prewitt's pistol incident.
List of Illustrations
Depicted in multiple illustrations, including as a war chief and in traditional dress.
