Geronimo!

So, what in the world do Selma and Geronimo have in common?

Geronimo's bow and arrow.

This display at the Old Depot Museum states that the bow and arrow were purchased from Geronimo by the Charles Lee Smallwood family. Geronimo once was imprisoned at Mt. Vernon, Alabama, in Mobile County.

Geronimo was a famous Native American Apache leader who tenaciously fought the government's removal of his tribe to reservations. His final surrender came in 1886. He stated in his autobiography that while a prisoner, he became a Christian.

"I am not ashamed to be a Christian, and I am glad to know that the President of the United States is a Christian, for without the help of the Almighty I do not think he could rightly judge in ruling so many people. I have advised all of my people who are not Christians, to study that religion, because it seems to me the best religion in enabling one to live right."

His hopes for the future included the return of the Apache remnant to Arizona.

"Could I but see this accomplished, I think I could forget all the wrongs that I have ever received, and die a contented and happy old man. But we can do nothing in this matter ourselves-we must wait until those in authority choose to act. If this cannot be done during my lifetime-if I must die in bondage- I hope that the remnant of the Apache tribe may, when I am gone, be granted the one privilege which they request-to return to Arizona."