GERONIMO

Some months ago, while at the local swimming pool a young swimmer was heard to shout
“Geronimo” prior to jumping off the diving board. Curiosity prompted me to inquire the reason for the cry.
The response was that “some kids do it”. I then asked if the jumper knew that Geronimo was an Indian and if
he was a good one or a bad one. None of the children had ever heard of him. Most were calling “Marco Polo”
and they knew no more about him than they did about Geronimo. I recall that as a boy in upstate New York we
bellowed Geronimo while leaping from a bridge that spanned the fast and cold water of Kinderhook Creek. We
knew we were emulating our heroes who were members of the elite airborne troops. Thus begins a unique
look at the rest of the Geronimo story.
It was over twelve decades ago when four young men who were theological students in the
Reformed Church Seminary in New Brunswick, New Jersey accepted summer internships to work in the mission
field near Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Upon arrival Derby hats and suits were replaced with wide-brimmed sombreros.
The most important items in their baggage may have been a violin and a guitar. They were soon equipped with
a Studebaker wagon that resembled a prairie schooner, two Indian ponies to pull it, cots to sleep on, pots to
cook in, and a plate, knife, and fork. Their job description was not complicated. They were to take advantage
of every opportunity to attract an audience and convince the crowds of white people and Indians to become
Christians. This was only a prelude for what became a commitment of more than ten years for at least one
member of the “big four”.
It soon became obvious that their audiences not only included whites and Indians, but Jews,
gentiles, blacks, Mexicans, gamblers, prostitutes, saloon keepers, good folks, bad folks, cutthroats and soldiers
who paid closer attention to popular music, such as “Where is my Wandering Boy Tonight” than the short
sermon that followed. Prior to proposing to Abbie who was the love of his life Howard Furbeck let her know
she would be sharing him with the mission field. During the next decade more of his time was spent with the
Native Americans on the mission field than with his wife and children.
Geronimo and his family perceived themselves as strangers in another land. This was
Comanche and Kiowa land. Geronimo and many Apaches had left their hearts in Arizona near the
headwaters of the Gila River. Geronimo is determined to live in accordance with the laws of the United
States and learn the civilization of the white men. In the fall of 1902 Dutch Reformed missionary pastors
invited Geronimo to attend services on the Fort Sill reservation and after hearing the sermon Geronimo was
convinced that the Christian white people loved his people and the Jesus Road was the way to travel.
Church officials questioned the sincerity of this elderly tribesman who had a weakness for gambling and
alcohol however the examining pastor concluded that he could not refused to admit him into membership.
In the summer of 1903, my grandfather the Reverend Howard Rutson Furbeck baptized Geronimo. Over one
hundred years ago the main stream media ran conflicting stories, many critical, of the denomination. The
Bible recommends one consider all the facts prior to making a judgement and the facts support the kindly old
Apache. As far as the press goes; some things never seem to change.