Mickey Free

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Free (date unknown)

Mickey Free (1851-1913/1915), real name Felix Telles,[1] was an Apache scout and bounty hunter on the American frontier.[2][3] Following his capture by the Apache, Free was raised as one and became a warrior before his time as a scout, serving at Fort Verde between December 1874 and May 1878.[1]

Free's mother was Jesusa Martinez, a Mexican woman who had been held captive by the Apaches; his father has been the subject of dispute, with some saying he was an Apache who had taken her for his wife, others that Free's father was Santiago Tellez, who was reportedly part Irish.[4][5] In 1859, now widowed, Jesusa and her two children, Felix and his sister Teodora, met and moved in with John Ward, an Irishman who had migrated to Arizona and started a ranch. Ward and Jesusa had five children before his death in 1867.[3]

Free was abducted at, age 12, in 1860 by a Coyotaros Apache raiding party. This abduction had lasting implications on relations between the Apache nation and the American settlers. Ward, believing that his stepson had been taken by Cochise, insisted on military intervention.[6] The events which followed became known as the Bascom Affair[7] and also caused the Chiricahua Wars.[8] On 4 February 1861, while trying to retrieve the child, second lieutenant George Nicholas Bascom encountered a group of Chiricahua Apaches at Apache Pass, led by Cochise, son of Mangas Coloradas. Cochise denied all knowledge of the child and Bascom had the Apaches surrounded and informed Cochise they would be held as hostages until the child was returned. Cochise broke free, but six of his men were held prisoner. [9]

Free was adopted and raised by Nayundiie, a White Mountain Apache, and became foster brother to Tlol-dil-zil, later known as John Rope.[10][11] He joined the Apache scouts on 2 December 1872, and within two years had been promoted to the rank of sergeant, and was eventually promoted to first sergeant. He was posted to Camp Verde to serve as an interpreter, where he met Albert Sieber.[10] Free served as a scout for George Crook.<ref name=Vandervort|2005|p=199>Vandervort, Bruce (2005). Indian Wars of Canada, Mexico and the United States, 1812-1900. Routledge. ISBN 978-0415224727. </ref> In his time as a bounty hunter Free tracked the Apache Kid, who had a 15,000 dollar reward on his head.[12]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Ayers 2010, p. 17.
  2. ↑ Heard 1997, pp. 110-111.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Sweeney 1991, p. 427.
  4. ↑ Worcester 1979, p. 75.
  5. ↑ Hayes.
  6. ↑ Kessel 2001, p. 90.
  7. ↑ Chamberlain 2007, p. 213.
  8. ↑ Mort 2013, p. Chapter 1.
  9. ↑ Bourke 2003, p. 18-19.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Thrapp 1991, p. 518.
  11. ↑ Rope 1971, p. 135.
  12. ↑ Griffith 1969, p. 183.

Bibliography

  • Ayers, Steve (2010). Camp Verde. Arcadia. ISBN 978-0738579122. 
  • Bourke, John Gregory (2003). Charles M. Robinson, ed. The Diaries of John Gregory Bourke: November 20, 1872-July 28, 1876. University of North Texas. ISBN 978-1574411614. 
  • Chamberlain, Kathleen P. (2007). Victorio: Apache Warrior and Chief. University of Oklahoma. ISBN 978-0806138435. 
  • Griffith, A. Kinney (1969). Mickey Free, manhunter (1st ed.). Caldwell Idaho Caxton Printers. ISBN 978-0870041303. 
  • Heard, Joseph N. (1997). Handbook of the American Frontier: The far west. Scarecrow. ISBN 978-0810832831. 
  • Kessel, William B. (2001). William B. Kessel, Robert Wooster, ed. Encyclopedia of Native American Wars and Warfare. Facts on File. ISBN 978-0816033379. 
  • Mort, Terry (2013). The Wrath of Cochise: The Bascom Affair and the Origins of the Apache Wars. Pegasus. ISBN 978-1605984223. 
  • Rope, John (1971). Keith H. Basso, ed. Western Apache Raiding and Warfare. University of Arizona Press. ISBN 978-0816502974. 
  • Sweeney, Edwin R. (1991). Cochise: Chiricahua Apache Chief. University of Oklahoma Press. ISBN 978-0806126067. 
  • Thrapp, Dan L. (1991). Encyclopedia Frontier Biography: A-F. University of Nebraska. ISBN 978-0803294189. 
  • Worcester, Donald E. (1979). The Apaches: Eagles of the Southwest. University of Oklahoma Press. ISBN 978-0806114958. 

Further reading

  • Lords of Apacheria: Mickey Free, the Hunt for Geronimo and the Apache Kid, and the Longest War in American History Crown Publishing Group (NY) 2014 ISBN 978-0770435813
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