Romeo's 54 mm rendition of the Chiricahua Apache leader, Geronimo (1829-1909). His given name was Goyathlay ("one who yawns"). The name Geronimo came from the Spanish, who may have been praying to St. Jerome during his attacks. He is depicted carrying a Marlin model 1881 carbine, similar to the one he surrendered to the US Army (1886) with 16 warriors, a dozen women and six children as the last of the great Indian leaders. It took some 500 soldiers to accomplish this, fully a quarter of the US Army at the time. Upon his surrender, he and his people were dfirst sent to Florida, where many died of tuberculosis. Later, they were transferred to Oklahoma. Despite having been included in Teddy Roosevelt's inaugural, Geronimo was denied being able to return to his native lands. Geronimo took advantage and sold his signature to tourists for a quarter. Documented copies now sell in the thousands of dollars. Geronimo is buried in the Apavche cemetary in Fort Sill, Oklahoma
The figure is painted in Andrea and Vallejo acrylics. I chose a darker skin tone in keeping with his years of exposure to the strong southwestern desert sun.
