Here’s one the federal courts don’t hear every day: The relatives of Geronimo, the famed Apache warrior who challenged U.S. forces in the 1800s, are suing Skull and Bones, Yale’s notorious secret society that counts George W. Bush and John Kerry as members, alleging that its members stole the military leader’s remains decades ago and have been hiding them ever since.
The suit was filed this past Tuesday, which not-so-coincidentally happens to be the 100th anniversary of Geronimo’s death (who says litigation can’t be done with a little dramatic flair?). According to the AP:
Geronimo’s great-grandson Harlyn Geronimo said his family believes Skull and Bones members took some of the remains in 1918 from a burial plot in Fort Sill, Okla., to keep in its New Haven clubhouse, a crypt. The alleged graverobbing is a longstanding legend that gained some validity in recent years with the discovery of a letter from a club member that described the theft.
Harlyn, who has stated that he “believe[s] strongly from my heart that [Geronimo's] spirit was never released,” and wants the allegedly filched remains, as well as any held by the federal government, turned over so they can be reburied near the Indian leader’s birthplace in southern New Mexico. And to drive home just how serious he is about recovering his famous ancestor’s bones, Harlyn has also named President Obama, Defense Secretary Robert Gates, and Army Secretary Pete Geren as defendants. Since Lord knows unlawfully harboring skeletons of Native American heroes is at the top of their policy agenda.
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Image: Wikipedia Commons
February 19th, 2009 at 5:54 pm
Wouldn’t that be Geronimo’s “Descendants?”
B
February 19th, 2009 at 8:38 pm
You’re of course right, Bryan—I fixed the error. Thanks.
February 20th, 2009 at 12:01 am
Sorry but given that this fellow has seen fit to sue people who clearly have absolutely no connection to what he is saying happened, I have to hope this gets tossed out of court and he gets the bill for wasting the court’s time.
February 20th, 2009 at 12:25 pm
I don’t hear Geronimo complaining. Hearsay is inadmissable as evidence. Geronimo was born of the Bedonkohe Apache tribe in No-doyohn Canon, Arizona, June, 1829; later leader of the Chiricahua Apache. Did the Apache have a Latinate alphabet? Of course not. His real name was closer to “Goyathlay” (One Who Yawns). Unless the complainant’s real name is on court documents – in its native transcripton in Chiricahua Ndéé – the suit has no basis. Instead, sue every paratrooper who has screamed “Geronimo!” for implied violation of copyright.
‘Iłk’id́ą, k ǫǫ yá’édįná’a.
‘Ákoo Tł’ízhe hooghéí dá’áíná bikǫ’ ‘óliná’a.
‘Ákoo Tł’ízheí gotál yiis’́ąná’a.
‘Ákoo Mai’áee híłghoná’a.
Gotál jiis’́ąí ‘áee, Mai tsíbąąee naaná’azhishná’a.
‘Ákoo bitseeí tsínáiłgoná’a.
Oh the wealth of cultural diversity!
April 13th, 2009 at 12:55 pm
i am a descendant of geronimo. he is my 4th great grandfather
April 13th, 2009 at 12:56 pm
this is my real email
September 15th, 2009 at 9:17 pm
This amazing leader was and as many native indians were persecuted to nearly extinction. The dead and especially native indians should all be laid to rest on their soil. Give rest to the spirit of this Great Leader who only wanted peace for his people and maybe America may have peace to all it’s people in this country. Bad medicine from the leaders of America has lead to sickness in it’s country and land. Good medicine will bring healing to its people and the land. namaste
November 13th, 2009 at 2:28 am
Smeone should dig up Prescott Bush until they return Geronimo’s remains. Let the Bush’s… and John Kerry… see how is feels. Maybe Prescott will get to leave hell if this wrong is righted.