Native American leader and military figure. Actual date of birth unknown. "Cochise," derived from the Apache word "cheis," or "oak," led his Chokonen Apaches (rising sun people), often called Chiricahuas, through their first conflicts and dealings with the United States. He was among the most powerful and respected of Apache leaders, and his influence extended far beyond his own band. He was one of the few Apache leaders whose influence transcended his own band and could bring together many of the diverse family groups that made up the loose bands we now call "Apaches." No photo of him is known to exist. He was reportedly a tall, broad-shouldered man of power, dignity, and grace. After about ten years of war against the United States, Cochise finally made peace with the United States on nearly his own terms in 1872, and entered reservation life on a portion of his own lands in what is now southeastern Arizona near the site of Fort Bowie. His friend, an American named Thomas Jeffords, was named Indian Agent for the Chiricahua Reservation. Cochise died after a long illness on June 8, 1874. Tom Jeffords was at his side near the end, and witnessed his interment in a crevice in the rocks of the Dragoon Mountains, near Cochise Stronghold, Arizona. Only his band and Tom Jeffords knew the site. They took this knowledge to their own graves, telling no one of the place where Cochise had been buried. Cochise County, Arizona is named after him.
Native American leader and military figure. Actual date of birth unknown. "Cochise," derived from the Apache word "cheis," or "oak," led his Chokonen Apaches (rising sun people), often called Chiricahuas, through their first conflicts and dealings with the United States. He was among the most powerful and respected of Apache leaders, and his influence extended far beyond his own band. He was one of the few Apache leaders whose influence transcended his own band and could bring together many of the diverse family groups that made up the loose bands we now call "Apaches." No photo of him is known to exist. He was reportedly a tall, broad-shouldered man of power, dignity, and grace. After about ten years of war against the United States, Cochise finally made peace with the United States on nearly his own terms in 1872, and entered reservation life on a portion of his own lands in what is now southeastern Arizona near the site of Fort Bowie. His friend, an American named Thomas Jeffords, was named Indian Agent for the Chiricahua Reservation. Cochise died after a long illness on June 8, 1874. Tom Jeffords was at his side near the end, and witnessed his interment in a crevice in the rocks of the Dragoon Mountains, near Cochise Stronghold, Arizona. Only his band and Tom Jeffords knew the site. They took this knowledge to their own graves, telling no one of the place where Cochise had been buried. Cochise County, Arizona is named after him.
Bio by: Robert Schaller
Gravesite Details
Upon his death at about 65-67 (not early 50's), Cochise's body was buried in the Chokonen Apache tradition with his horse, favorite dog and blankets among the boulders in the Dragoon Mountains of SE Arizona in an undisclosed location.
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