Loco (Apache)

Loco

Loco (1823–1905[1] or 1909[2]) was a Copper Mines Mimbreño Apache chief.

Name

It is unknown whence Loco received his name. One theory suggests that he was named for the fact that he was "'crazy' enough to trust the white men."[3] Another theory says that he got his name from his actions at a battle against the Mexicans, where he supposedly braved gunfire in order to save an injured warrior.[3]

Time as chief

Unlike the militant Geronimo and the proud but aware Victorio, Loco was an advocate for peace.[2] After the death of Cuchillo Negro, chief of the Warm Springs Tchihende, (1857) and Mangas Coloradas, chief of the Copper Mines Tchihende, (1863), the Copper Mines Mimbreños and the Warm Springs Mimbreños, under Pindah's pressure, were forced to leave the Pinos Altos area, near Santa Rita del Cobre, and try to concentrate in the Ojo Caliente area both of the tribe's bands; after Delgadito's death (1864) the Copper Mines Tchihende Loco, along with the Warm Springs Tchihende Victorio (who, already chosen as his son-in-law by Mangas Coloradas, was preferred to the older Nana), became the chiefs.[3] The Mimbreños accepted to settle in a reservation, before at Ojo Caliente and later at Cañada Alamosa, but the Mimbreño reservation was abolished, and Victorio's and Loco's people was sent to the Mescalero reservation at Tularosa. When the Government stated to deport the Mimbreños to San Carlos, in 1877 Victorio and Loco led back their people to Ojo Caliente, but, in 1878, 9th Cavalry was sent to bring them back to San Carlos. Victorio took again the warpath, but Loco was arrested. Loco didn't join Victorio in his last war in 1879-1880, remaining in the San Carlos reservation. In 1882, when a party of Apaches including Geronimo forced Loco to leave for Mexico, Loco instead waged guerilla warfare against the Chiricahuas.[1] In 1886, Loco went to Washington, D.C. to negotiate; however, like Geronimo, he was made prisoner and sent to Florida.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Waldman, Carl (2001). Biographical Dictionary of American Indian History to 1900. New York: Facts on File. p. 222. ISBN 0-8160-4252-7.
  2. 1 2 "Loco (1823-1909)". Find a Grave Memorial. 2006-06-27. Retrieved 2008-10-08. Tombstone-Picture show: † 1905
  3. 1 2 3 Debo, Angie (1976). Geronimo: The Man, His Time, His Place. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press. p. 72. ISBN 0-8061-1828-8.


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