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Mescalero Apache Warriors, 1898
The Mescalero Apache were one of the fiercest of
the
Apache groups
in the southwest when defending their homelands. Nomadic hunters and warriors,
they moved from place to place setting up their
wickiups, ranging in
Texas,
Arizona
and Mexico. Between 1700-1750, many Mescalero bands were displaced from the
Southern Plains in northern and central
Texas
from the enemy
Comanche,
at which time, they took refuge in the mountains of
New Mexico,
western
Texas,
Coahuila and Chihuahua, Mexico.
A reservation was established for them in 1873
first located near
Fort Stanton,
New Mexico.
Ten years later, another reservation was established, which was situated almost
entirely in Otero County. Later, they opened their doors to other
Apache bands,
the Chiricahua
who were imprisoned at
Fort Sill,
Oklahoma,
and the Lipan
Apache.
The tribe is federally recognized as the Mescalero Apache Tribe of the
Mescalero Apache Reservation in south central
New Mexico.
They are comprised of three sub-tribes -- the Mescalero, Lipan and
Chiricahua,
and have more than 3,000 members. Many of them live on the 720 square mile
reservation that was once the heartland of their original territory.
Ranching and tourism are major sources of income.
Also See:
Apache - The Fiercest Warriors in the
Southwest
Apache Legends
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