GeronimoAKA: Gokliya, Goyathlay, Goyahkla, Goyaale, "One Who Yawns", "The Yawner". (1829-1909) Apache war leader during the Apache Wars. Geronimo led raids in Mexico then later across Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. In 1885 Geronimo and Chiefs Natchez and Mangas Coloradas left the reservation and began raiding throughout southern New Mexico; soldiers under General Nelson Miles, military commander of New Mexico, forced them into Mexico and there accepted their surrender. Geronimo became a celebrity as a symbol of the Old West, making public appearances, but died in captivity at Fort Sill Oklahoma.