Mrs. Wetherill first came to New Mexico in 1885 as a child with her parents. Each member of the Palmer family played a musical instrument and they financed their archaeological trips through the Southwest by playing concerts along the way. While the family was camped in the Mogollon Mountains in the spring of 1886 that Mrs. Wetherill had her first meeting with Geronimo. The Apache chief was at the head of a war party when they came upon her while she was playing along the trail. Since she could speak the Apache tongue, Geronimo believed she was an Apache child and insisted upon taking her with him. The other Apaches convinced Geronimo that the girl would be a burden as they were fleeing the US Calvary at the time. Geronimo recalled this incident years later when Mrs. Wetherill visited with him at the St. Louis World's Fair. Mrs. Wetherill recalled a visit to Jemez Pueblo in the 1880s when her family was instrumental in securing the release of a priest who had been placed in the stocks because he interfered with an Indian ceremonial. She later married Richard W. Wetherill, a pioneer archaeologist who had discovered the Mesa Verde ruins in southwestern Colorado in 1888. They ranched for many years at the famed Pueblo Bonito ruins in Chaco Canyon. Mr. Wetherill was shot and killed more than 40 years ago during a brief Navajo uprising in Chaco Canyon. Mrs. Wetherill lived among the Navajos for many years and was considered an authority on Navajo customs. She could speak the Navajo language fluently. Survived by two sons - Richard Wetherill, Robert Wetherill; two daughters - Elizabeth Watson, Marion Schafner; two sisters - Edna Morgan, Louise Hillmer; 11 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren.
Artesia Advocate
Artesia, New Mexico
July 12, 1954
Thank you
Artesia Advocate
Artesia, New Mexico
July 12, 1954
Thank you
Mrs. Wetherill first came to New Mexico in 1885 as a child with her parents. Each member of the Palmer family played a musical instrument and they financed their archaeological trips through the Southwest by playing concerts along the way. While the family was camped in the Mogollon Mountains in the spring of 1886 that Mrs. Wetherill had her first meeting with Geronimo. The Apache chief was at the head of a war party when they came upon her while she was playing along the trail. Since she could speak the Apache tongue, Geronimo believed she was an Apache child and insisted upon taking her with him. The other Apaches convinced Geronimo that the girl would be a burden as they were fleeing the US Calvary at the time. Geronimo recalled this incident years later when Mrs. Wetherill visited with him at the St. Louis World's Fair. Mrs. Wetherill recalled a visit to Jemez Pueblo in the 1880s when her family was instrumental in securing the release of a priest who had been placed in the stocks because he interfered with an Indian ceremonial. She later married Richard W. Wetherill, a pioneer archaeologist who had discovered the Mesa Verde ruins in southwestern Colorado in 1888. They ranched for many years at the famed Pueblo Bonito ruins in Chaco Canyon. Mr. Wetherill was shot and killed more than 40 years ago during a brief Navajo uprising in Chaco Canyon. Mrs. Wetherill lived among the Navajos for many years and was considered an authority on Navajo customs. She could speak the Navajo language fluently. Survived by two sons - Richard Wetherill, Robert Wetherill; two daughters - Elizabeth Watson, Marion Schafner; two sisters - Edna Morgan, Louise Hillmer; 11 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren.
Artesia Advocate
Artesia, New Mexico
July 12, 1954
Thank you
Artesia Advocate
Artesia, New Mexico
July 12, 1954
Thank you
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