Captive White Boy: The captive white boy, Santiago McKinn, poses with a group of children in Geronimo's Camp. This photo is a detail from a larger image. Behind him is a partially constructed tent. The photo by Camillus Sidney Fly was taken in 1886 shortly before Geronimo's surrender to General George Crook on March 27, 1886. McKinn was taken from his home near Mimbres in the New Mexico Territory in 1885 by Chiricahua Apaches. McKinn assimilated with the Apaches during his captivity -- even learning their language -- and cried when he was returned to his family.
GERONIMO'S YOUNG CAPTIVE
New York Times / March 30, 1886
WILLCOX, Arizona, March 29. -- With the Chiricahuas under Geronimo was a white boy, aged 10 years. He says his name is Santiago McKinn, and that his father is Irish and his mother Mexican; that he was captured near Mimores, New-Mexico. He has light hair, gray eyes, and is of light build. He says the indians treated him kindly.
A more detailed account of the McKinn story can be found on Desert Exposure.
Thomas Berger Speaks!
Thank you so much, Ken, for posting that interview. Earlier in his career, Mr. Berger was notoriously private (like his contemporaries J.D. Salinger and William Gaddis), but here, he opens up, even to the extent of describing his sometimes deeply emotional attitudes toward his characters.
It's fascinating to finally learn something about his working methods. As obvious as it is that both "Little Big Man" novels are meticulously researched, a "backstage" look at how he acquired all the raw historical material and how he put it to use... well, for a long-time Berger fan like myself, that was a real treat!