Book on Loco

[jeroen]

A while ago, I finished Bud Shapard's book Chief Loco, Apache peace maker. On the positive side, Loco becomes a real man in this book, it gives a sympathetic portreyal of an often underestimated leader who usually voiced moderation. As such, the book deserves credit. But, although I found it easy to read, and it did contain some new facts for me, mostly regarding Loco's family, I found the use of language in certain areas quite annoying. Also, to me, Shapard's story came across as rather one sided and opinionated in his views, making a strong distinction between the good ( Loco's people) and the bad (all others, particularly Geronimo). In addition, the author states that Loco's people were quite content with living at San Carlos, they obviously were not, they just tried to keep the peace. I also found the suggestion that the Chiricahua people were doing fine in Fort Marion and Mount Vernon amazing to say the least. People were dying, children were forcibly taken away from their parents and the future was bleak and uncertain for years on end, they tried to survive! There are many more examples that are, in my opinion, questionable and open for discussion. I'd love to read what others think of this book.
By the way, Edwin sweeney's new book is due to come out in october, hopefully it is as good and detailed as his books on Cochise and Mangas Coloradas, and can we get some answers on details we have been talking about on these threads here.

[coeurrouge]

I am agree with you. I have not finished to read yet. it is a book with lot of informations of Loco's family, the context of his time which presents Loco as a real peacemaker with a great courage.
It says little of the first fifty years of the chief, it was disapointed.

Sure Loco was in the right way for the surviving of his People, but, but...
The author always find excuses to justify the bad action of Loco (the objective of Loco permitted him to do so but Victorio and Geronimo had no excuses).
Loco was alcoholic, so many white men were too. Yes but U.Grant without the Civil War would not have the same career because of he was alcoholic. And Victorio, Mangas Coloradas and Cochise were never said to be alcoholic by the whites. (they drunk too but stayed sober for important meeting with the whites)
Loco scheduled the murderer with Nana ( the man who fought WITH Victorio and liked very much the inveterate warrior Kaathenay) of the Pajitas' brother (first time I heard about that) but The author wrote Loco have to do it to save the peace. May be but Loco doing that, divided definitively the Chihennes.

And the author said that agent Tiffany was an agent that offered plenty of opportunity for the Chiricahuas !!! I always read that Tiffanny was the worst San Carlos'agent.

I will wait to have Last Sweenye's book (christmas gift) to have a definitive opinion on Loco's book but it seems like Katherine Chamberlain's Victorio (this contains big mistakes). The authors had done, on my opinion, a light job on researches to write their books.
My advice : don't buy it, ask on this forum to have informations on Loco.

[perico]

This is a great book.

[jeroen]

Sorry Perico, but I think we have to agree to disagree on this one... although I wont tell people not to buy it, in my opinion Sweeney's book is better...

[perico]

I have yet to read the new Sweeney book. Im looking forward to it though.

[coeurrouge]

After reading Sweeney's book, I changed my mind on the book of Loco. On the facts the book is right. i still regret that the author doesn't right a lot the first 50 years of Loco. On the chief genealogy it is light. And it is not objectif for the adversaries of Loco. Somethings are weard like Fun, great Bedonkohe warrior and loyal follower of geronimo, becomes on Loco's book a member of loco's band (Chihenne). The author never said that Fun was a part responsible, of the transfert of the chiricahuas to Florida, by following Geronimo. And if the scetch of Geronimo worked, Fun would kill Davis and Chatto.
Also I think it is interresting to read this book.

[coeurrouge]

On the facts the book is right. i still regret that the author doesn't WRITE a lot the first 50 years of Loco.

[Second]

Hello everyone, I just recvd an ISBN for my book and I have entered the last phase of publishing. My book is titled Second Jumper, searching for his bloodline. Written by Sigfried R. Second-Jumper.
It has taken me 5 yrs to write it. It starts out with the surrendering of the Chiricahuas and their journey to Florida as prisoners of war. While in Florida, my great grandparents were separated from the bulk of the Tribe and shipped to Cuba. An event witnessed by other prisoners, and recorded in their oral history and songs.
Also recorded and photographed by my family are my great grandparent’s arrival in Cuba, their struggles, sacrifices and accomplishments. Some of my great grandparent’s descendents began migrating to Florida, settling on the outskirts of the Florida Everglades. It was there that I discovered a Miccosukee Indian camp tucked deep in the swamps. Little did I know I was meeting the remnants of the only Unconquered Nation, The Florida Seminoles. In time I learned to master the art of breaking in horses, wrestling alligators, followed by 15 yrs of dancing and singing among them. These events were captured and will be shown with never before seen photographs.
Through their encouragement, I along with my family set out on a trip across country, in search of our long lost Apache relatives. A long journey that started in St. Augustine, FL, Oklahoma, Arizona, ended at the Mescalero Apache Reservation in NM. Upon arrival at Mescalero, I was welcomed and accepted by ex-prisoners of war, the Chiricahuas and ultimately my long lost relatives. Unaware of my past tribal history, I was inaugurated into the medicine circle as a singer for the Chiricahua Crown Dancers. It was there, that I have and continue to learn the traditional ways of the Chiricahuas. After many years of loosing members and traditions, we all decided to record and preserve our ways along with our daily activities for future generations. For the first time ever, the reader will enter into the sacred tepee of the Crown dancers and learned what takes place prior to ceremonies. All of it has been done with the consent of all members.
When the Seminoles learned that I was recording these stories, they asked me to include theirs as well. Some of these tales and photographs have been kept by members of both groups for decades as family treasures. I am honored to have been trusted to write them as they were told to me. All stories were reviewed by all participants prior to publishing to assure that they are told as they would want their great grandchildren to hear them.
Unlike many or most books written about these two groups, this one is done from within. As a result, the participants felt comfortable revealing stories long suppress by fear and mistrust. There is only half a page of references and over 300 pages of the real stories of the Tigers of the Human race, the Chiricahua Apaches and the Only Unconquered Nation, the Florida Seminoles.
I have dedicated my book to future Chiricahua and Seminole descendents but it really pertains to all humans as preserving their ancestral ways is just as important.
I will keep you all posted as soon as my book is available.

Sincerely,
Siggy Jumper

[budshapard1937]

Couerrouge: I declined to put much in about Loco's early life because there was little or no information and I wanted to stick to the facts. As for jeroen's comments. If you read the book carefully, I did not say the Apaches liked imprisonment in Florida, Alabama or Fort Sill. I emphasized how well they adjusted to the conditions. Bud Shapard, New Member

[dT]

"I emphasized how well they adjusted to the conditions. Bud Shapard"

Bud, I have not read your book, and therefore I cannot comment. But I think the deeper question - is WHY was it necessary for the Apaches to "adjust" at all? Why was it ever necessary for them to live on these reservations?

And this was PRECISELY the question that Geronimo was asking the white men. "Why is your way of life better than ours?". "WHY are you inherently superior - WHAT makes you believe this?"

We cannot go back and change what happened. It is not possible to re-write history, or to change grievances that existed 100 years ago (or more). But it is fair to ask - WHY are the Apaches confined to San Carlos and Mescalero today? WHY are they isolated from the parts of their traditional land that were the most important and the most sacred to them? And even TODAY, why are there still white men (like Senator John McCain) who are trying to sell off that land and desecrate it?

Good questions. BUT No easy answers.

The long-term resolution of these issues in this world - is also not simple. These things are NOT just history, they are also the future. Everything is connected!!! The culture of the Dominant Society (white people) also contains many half-truths and lies. And these things will cause a BIG BIG problem for the Earth in the years to come. No culture or society can exist for many years (and decades), unless it is founded on real truth and respect.

Therefore, the prophecies made by the Mescalero's a LONG time ago, before white people came to the Southwest, actually turn out to be TRUE. They will be fulfilled. And for other Indian tribes, such as the Lakotas, their prophecies are also TRUE. For example, the words of Crazy Horse - will also be fulfilled.

dT