Cochise's Family/Inner Circle

 

                     KEY FAMILY MEMBERS:

                                                                            

1.      COYUNTURA (Kin-o-tera) - CLOSEST brother to Cochise. Often served as a sounding board /advisor. His wife Yones spoke Spanish and often negotiated with Mexicans in Sonora/Chihuahua. Had a son Chie who guided General O. O. Howard to Cochise’s camp in the Dragoon Mountains in 1872. Coyuntura was one of Cochise’s relatives who were hung by Lieutenant Bascom at Apache Pass in February 1861 triggering the Apache Wars. Cochise was devastated by the death of his brother Coyuntura. According to Sweeney Cochise possibly marries Yones.(Cf, Sweeney,p.166)

2.      Juan - was Cochise’s younger brother who was known for his humor and fun making. Though lacking the seriousness/insight of Coyuntura his laughter was often a good tonic for Cochise.

3.      Dos-teh-seh (“Something already cooks by the fire”) – daughter of Mangas Coloradas. Her mother was the legendary beautiful Mexican women that Mangas brought to Chihenne camp causing a conflict with his first wife’s family leading to a knife fight in which Mangas slayed his two brothers-in-law. Dos-teh-seh was a warrior, beautiful, intelligent, who after the death of Coyuntura became Cochise‘s alter ego. Cochise and she married in late 1830’s. (Cf, Aleshire, pp. 55-56). She gave birth to two boys:

4.      Taza the eldest was born around 1840. He looked more like his grandfather, Mangas Coloradas, although smaller in stature. Cochise trained Taza to be his heir apparent and had him promise in June 1876 to follow the road of peace. Cochise asked his lieutenants to swear allegiance to Taza which unfortunately broke down after Cochise’s passing. Taza witnessed the collapse of the Chiricahua Reservation and although disheartened he agree to lead his people to San Carlos. Only half of the Band followed him. Later on a good will trip to Washington with Indian Agent John P. Clum he caught pneumonia and was buried in the Congressional cemetery in Washington in September 1876.

5.      Nachise (“Wei-chi-ti or Mischief Maker”) the younger son was born in mid- 1850’s. Nachise in looks favored his father. And after the death of Taza would emerge as leader of the Chokonens. Played a significant role in the Geronimo conflicts of 70’and 80’s. Surrender to General Miles in 1886 and then with rest of the Chiricahuas sent to Florida/Alabama as prisoners of war. In 1894 he along with the remaining Chiricahuas were sent to Fort Sill Oklahoma where they would remain prisoners until 1913. Then Naiche and 77 others were offered an opportunity to move to Mescalero Reservation in New Mexico.  Naiche died there in 1919.

6.      Cochise had another or 2nd wife whose name remains unknown. She gave birth to two daughters in late 50’/early 60’s called Dash-den-zhoos and Naithlo-tonz. Neither survived. Apache custom was never to use the name of a person who has passed a sit impeded their transition to the “Spirit World.” Creates difficulty in researching.

7.      Elbys Naiche Hugar is great/great granddaughter of Cochise. Elbys lives on Mescalero Reservation where over the years she has taken a leadership role in preserving Apache culture helping to bring back the language. She has been curator of Mescalero Apache Cultural Center and has served has a film consultant. (Cf., Stockel, pp.63-87.)

Cochise/Teamsters/Return Scenario

         

Cochise and 5 of his warriors riding back from a meeting with Mangas Coloradas at Stein’s Peak were crossing Sulphur Spring when they saw dust in the distance manufactured by a Pindah supply train of 5 teamsters carrying cotton cloth, bales of wire, ammunition on the Tucson road. Cochise motioned to his warriors to fan out, and to prepare an ambush. The warriors drawing from the example of legendary Child - of -Water buried themselves into the sand like gophers, invisible to oncoming teamsters, and as the three wagons came across the hill, the phantom warriors emerged ghost like from the landscape striking mercilessly and quickly. It was over in five minutes. The warriors freed the mules from the wagons, gathered the guns and cotton cloth, and prepared to vanish into Dragoons.  Cochise before leaving had his men check the pockets of the slain Pindah for gold/money which could be traded in Sonora or Chihuahua for guns/ammunition. One of the whites still alive but badly wounded was found with an Apache scalp in his saddle bag. Cochise winced upon seeing the scalp, probably a women or child, felt his rage exploding within. He heard the anguish of the women crying out for justice. Apaches did not take scalps as they saw such mutilation as a terrible “spiritual” travesty.  Over the years the war with Pindah had become increasingly brutal. Cochise ordered his men to dig a hole and placed the Pindah in it as deep as his neck so only the head remained visible. Then he had his men covered the man‘s head with honey and watched as the ants came and began to eat away  his face, eyes, nose with the man crying  loudly for mercy. The death was agonizing. Apache justice would be served as it would doom the victim to wonder aimlessly in the spirit world. Cochise took inner satisfaction: “it was just punishment for the wrongs done the Apaches who were ironically viewed as “animals” by Whites”. Mounting his roan, he then motioned Nahilzay to lead the way back to western stronghold as the “People” would begin to worry about what was delaying him. Within an hour, the silhouettes of the Dragoons appeared, and flashing glass signals were sent that Cheis was returning. Chokonens made ready for his return by preparing a welcome. Women lit the fires into the stronghold and the people gathered forming a path and began to intone “Here He comes”, “Here He comes”, and “He ride before them”, “His name is Cheis”, “His Name is Cheis”. As Cochise and the small party emerged from the Canyon into the protective valley below the greeting became ever louder. Nahilzay leading the way gave a short rendition of their encountered with the Teamsters, and the role played by Cochise as a prelude to celebration that would take place that evening regarding their safe return in which the “People” would thank the mountain spirits, “Gaans", for the continued protection of their leader.