Cochise's friend, Tom Jeffords

Cochise, a prominent leader of the Chukunen (Central Chiricahua) band of the Chiricahua Apache, and Tom Jeffords, a white American scout and stagecoach operator, formed a remarkable friendship that became a cornerstone of Apache-American relations in the mid-19th century. Their relationship, rooted in mutual respect and trust, played a pivotal role in negotiating peace during the Apache Wars and establishing the Chiricahua Reservation in 1872. This account provides a detailed history of Cochise and Tom Jeffords’ friendship, their interactions, and their impact, set against the backdrop of the Chiricahua Apache’s struggles in southeastern Arizona, including Cochise County, the Chiricahua Mountains, Dragoon Mountains, and Willcox Playa. Drawing on historical records, Apache oral traditions, and ethnographic sources, this narrative covers their backgrounds, the development of their bond, key events, and their legacy.

 

Cochise’s Background - **Early Life**: Cochise (c. 1805–1815–1874), meaning "having the quality of oak" in Apache, was born in the Chiricahua Mountains or possibly northern Sonora, Mexico. A member of the Chukunen band, he grew up in a matrilineal society, learning hunting, raiding, and spiritual practices tied to Ussen (the Creator) and White Painted Woman. By the 1830s, he emerged as a leader, known for his strategic brilliance and diplomacy, leading raids against Mexican settlements in response to scalp bounties and massacres like the 1837 Santa Rita betrayal. - **Leadership**: Cochise’s leadership was earned through consensus, not heredity, and he commanded respect for his oratory, warfare skills, and ability to unite Apache bands. He operated from strongholds like Cochise Stronghold in the Dragoon Mountains, using the Chiricahua Mountains and Willcox Playa for raids and scouting. His cautious peace with Americans in the early 1850s shifted to resistance after the 1861 Bascom Affair, which ignited the Apache Wars.

 

Tom Jeffords’ Background - **Early Life**: Thomas Jonathan Jeffords (February 1, 1832–February 20, 1914) was born in Chautauqua County, New York. Little is known of his early years, but by the 1850s, he was a prospector, scout, and frontiersman in the Southwest, drawn by the California Gold Rush. Jeffords worked as a stagecoach driver and superintendent for the Butterfield Overland Mail Company, operating through Apache Pass in the Chiricahua Mountains, a key route connecting Tucson and El Paso. - **Character**: Jeffords was described as tall, red-bearded, and fearless, with a reputation for fairness and courage. His experience as a scout gave him knowledge of Apache territory, and his willingness to learn their language and customs set him apart from most settlers. His practical approach to dealing with Apaches, avoiding confrontation when possible, laid the foundation for his relationship with Cochise.

 

Development of Their Friendship (c. 1858–1861) - **Initial Contact**: Jeffords and Cochise likely met in the late 1850s, around 1858, when Jeffords was managing stagecoach operations through Apache Pass, a critical trail through the Chiricahua Mountains. The Chiricahua, under Cochise, initially allowed safe passage for American travelers in exchange for goods or tribute, reflecting Cochise’s pragmatic diplomacy. Jeffords, as a stagecoach superintendent, interacted with Cochise during these exchanges, earning his respect through honest dealings and respect for Apache customs. - **Building Trust**: Unlike most whites, Jeffords learned to speak Apache (a Southern Athabaskan dialect) and showed cultural sensitivity, avoiding the aggression common among settlers. Apache oral traditions, later recorded by anthropologists like Morris Opler, suggest Cochise admired Jeffords’ bravery and straightforwardness. A pivotal moment, recounted in Jeffords’ accounts and dramatized in later narratives, involved Jeffords riding alone into Cochise’s camp in the Chiricahua Mountains to negotiate safe passage for mail coaches. This bold act, risking death, impressed Cochise, who valued courage and integrity. - **Cultural Exchange**: Their friendship deepened through shared experiences, such as meetings at Cochise Stronghold in the Dragoon Mountains or near the Willcox Playa. Jeffords reportedly participated in Apache discussions, learning about their matrilineal society and spiritual practices, while Cochise gained insights into American intentions. This mutual respect was rare in an era of distrust, as most settlers viewed Apaches as threats, and Apaches saw whites as encroachers.

 

The Bascom Affair and Strain on Relations (1861) - **Context**: The Bascom Affair in February 1861 tested but ultimately strengthened Cochise and Jeffords’ relationship. Lieutenant George Bascom, suspecting Cochise’s band of kidnapping a child (Felix Ward) and stealing cattle near Sonoita, summoned Cochise to Apache Pass. The raid was likely by Western Apaches, not Chiricahua, but Bascom’s accusations led to a confrontation. - **Events**: Cochise, accompanied by family, met Bascom, denying involvement. Bascom attempted to detain him as a hostage, but Cochise escaped by cutting through a tent. His brother Coyuntura and nephews were captured, prompting Cochise to retaliate by attacking a wagon train and taking hostages. Bascom executed the Apache hostages, and Cochise killed his captives, escalating the Apache Wars. Jeffords, not directly involved, was likely in the region and maintained contact with Cochise, who distinguished Jeffords from other Americans due to their prior trust. - **Impact**: The affair turned Cochise into a resistance leader, launching raids from the Chiricahua and Dragoon Mountains, with the Willcox Playa as a scouting base. Jeffords’ neutrality during this period preserved his credibility, allowing him to later mediate between Cochise and U.S. authorities.

 

Apache Wars and Continued Contact (1861–1872) - **Cochise’s Resistance**: From 1861 to 1872, Cochise led guerrilla campaigns against American settlers and the U.S. Army, using the Chiricahua Mountains’ canyons and Cochise Stronghold for ambushes. Key battles included the 1862 Battle of Apache Pass, where Cochise and Mangas Coloradas attacked U.S. troops, only to be repelled by howitzers. Jeffords, working as a scout, avoided direct conflict with Cochise, maintaining their personal bond despite the war. - **Jeffords’ Role**: Jeffords continued operating in Apache territory, often as a civilian scout or prospector. His knowledge of the Chiricahua Mountains and relationships with Apaches made him a valuable intermediary. He reportedly met Cochise secretly during this period, possibly near the Willcox Playa, to discuss peace prospects or ensure safe passage for non-military travelers. These meetings, though sparsely documented, reinforced their mutual trust. - **Cultural Bridge**: Jeffords’ fluency in Apache and understanding of Chiricahua customs (e.g., respect for matrilineal authority and spiritual practices like the Sunrise Ceremony) allowed him to navigate tense situations. Apache oral histories suggest Cochise viewed Jeffords as a rare ally, calling him a “brother” in some accounts, a term reserved for trusted kin.

 

Peace Negotiations and the Chiricahua Reservation (1872) - **Context**: By 1872, Cochise, nearing 60 and weakened by years of warfare, sought peace to protect his people from further losses. The U.S. government, under President Ulysses S. Grant’s Peace Policy, aimed to negotiate with Native leaders to reduce conflict. The Chiricahua faced mounting pressure from Fort Bowie, established after the 1862 battle, and declining resources. - **Jeffords’ Mediation**: In October 1872, General Oliver Otis Howard, tasked with negotiating peace, enlisted Jeffords to arrange a meeting with Cochise. Jeffords, trusted by both sides, led Howard into the Dragoon Mountains to Cochise Stronghold, a bold move given Apache hostility. Over several days, Cochise and Howard, with Jeffords as interpreter, negotiated in a wickiup camp. Cochise demanded a reservation in his homeland, including the Chiricahua and Dragoon Mountains and areas near the Willcox Playa, to preserve Chiricahua autonomy. - **Chiricahua Reservation**: The negotiations resulted in the establishment of the Chiricahua Reservation in 1872, covering approximately 3,000 square miles in southeastern Arizona. The reservation included Apache Pass, Cochise Stronghold, and parts of the Sulphur Springs Valley, allowing the Chukunen to continue their semi-nomadic lifestyle. Jeffords was appointed Indian agent, a rare honor reflecting Cochise’s trust. He managed supplies and relations at Fort Bowie, ensuring the treaty’s terms were upheld. - **Significance of Friendship**: The friendship between Cochise and Jeffords was critical to the treaty’s success. Jeffords’ ability to navigate Apache culture and Cochise’s willingness to trust a white man, despite betrayals like the Bascom Affair, made the agreement possible. Their bond bridged cultural divides, with Jeffords reportedly participating in Apache councils and sharing meals, reinforcing mutual respect.

 

Final Years and Cochise’s Death (1872–1874) - **Life on the Reservation**: From 1872 to 1874, Cochise led his band on the Chiricahua Reservation, maintaining peace while overseeing traditional practices like hunting, gathering, and ceremonies in the Chiricahua Mountains. Jeffords, as Indian agent, lived near Fort Bowie, facilitating communication between the Chiricahua and U.S. authorities. He ensured rations were delivered and mediated disputes, earning praise from both Apaches and officials. The Willcox Playa remained a resource area for hunting and gatherings. - **Cochise’s Death**: In June 1874, Cochise, suffering from a suspected stomach ailment or cancer, died at Cochise Stronghold in the Dragoon Mountains. Jeffords was likely present or informed soon after, as he attended the funeral, a rare honor for a non-Apache. Apache tradition dictated secrecy for burial sites, and Cochise’s body was reportedly hidden in a cave or crevice in the Dragoons, known only to a few trusted kin. Jeffords respected this secrecy, strengthening his legacy among the Chiricahua. - **Aftermath**: Jeffords continued as Indian agent until 1876, when the U.S. government dissolved the Chiricahua Reservation, citing costs and settler pressure, and relocated many Chiricahua to the San Carlos Apache Reservation. This betrayal sparked renewed resistance under leaders like Geronimo, but Jeffords’ role diminished as he opposed the relocation.

 

Jeffords’ Later Years (1874–1914) - **Post-Reservation Life**: After 1876, Jeffords left his role as Indian agent, disillusioned by the government’s actions. He settled in Tucson, working as a prospector, rancher, and deputy sheriff. He maintained contact with Chiricahua descendants, including Cochise’s sons, Taza and Naiche, who faced exile after 1886. Jeffords lived modestly, never capitalizing on his fame, and died in 1914 at his Owl Head Buttes ranch near Tucson. - **Legacy**: Jeffords’ friendship with Cochise became legendary, immortalized in Apache oral histories and later popularized in Elliott Arnold’s 1947 novel *Blood Brother* and the 1950 film *Broken Arrow*. While romanticized, these accounts reflect the genuine trust between the two men, rare in an era of conflict.

 

Legacy of Their Friendship - **Historical Impact**: The Cochise-Jeffords friendship enabled the 1872 peace treaty, delaying Chiricahua displacement and preserving their homeland temporarily. It demonstrated the potential for cross-cultural cooperation, with Jeffords serving as a cultural bridge. The Chiricahua Reservation, though short-lived, was a testament to their mutual trust. - **Cultural Significance**: Among the Chiricahua, now primarily in the Fort Sill Apache Tribe (Oklahoma) and Mescalero Apache Tribe (New Mexico), Cochise is revered as a symbol of resistance and wisdom, with Jeffords remembered as a rare ally. Apache oral traditions, recorded by ethnographers like Keith Basso, highlight Jeffords’ respect for Ndé customs, such as attending councils and honoring burial secrecy. - **Modern Recognition**: Cochise Stronghold, now part of Coronado National Forest, and Cochise County honor Cochise’s legacy. The Willcox Playa and Chiricahua Mountains remain sacred to descendants. Jeffords’ role is less commemorated but celebrated in historical accounts and Apache narratives. The Fort Sill Apache Tribe’s records (fortsillapache-nsn.gov) and the Mescalero Apache Tribe’s cultural programs preserve their story. 

 

Challenges in Documentation - **Limited Primary Sources**: Cochise’s life is documented through Apache oral histories, later recorded by anthropologists like Morris Opler, and U.S. military records, which are biased. Jeffords’ accounts, shared in letters and interviews, provide key details but lack corroboration. The Bascom Affair and 1872 negotiations are well-documented in Army reports, but Apache perspectives rely on oral tradition. - **Romanticization**: Popular accounts, like *Broken Arrow*, exaggerate or simplify their friendship, portraying it as a Hollywood bromance. Historical works, such as Edwin Sweeney’s *Cochise: Chiricahua Apache Chief*, offer more grounded insights but note gaps in early records. - **Apache Secrecy**: The Chiricahua’s reluctance to share sacred details, like Cochise’s burial site, limits documentation but reflects their cultural values, which Jeffords respected.

 

Summary Cochise, a Chukunen Chiricahua leader (c. 1805–1815–1874), and Tom Jeffords (1832–1914), a white scout and stagecoach operator, formed a unique friendship starting around 1858, based on mutual respect and Jeffords’ fluency in Apache culture. Their bond survived the 1861 Bascom Affair, which sparked Cochise’s decade-long resistance from the Chiricahua and Dragoon Mountains, using the Willcox Playa for scouting. Jeffords mediated the 1872 peace treaty with General Howard, establishing the Chiricahua Reservation, and served as its Indian agent until Cochise’s death in 1874 at Cochise Stronghold. Their friendship, a rare bridge across cultural divides, shaped Apache-American relations and remains a powerful legacy among Chiricahua descendants.