.    .    .    .    .

-

Cochise's Physical Appearance - Cont.      Quoting again from General Howard's very informative 1872 article, we find a physical description for Cochise that differs little from that given by Joseph Alton Sladen in his journal (two opinions formed at precisely the same time, during the same meeting):   "As I took his hand I remember my impression.  A man fully six feet in height, well proportioned, large, dark eyes, face slightly painted with vermillion, unmistakably an Indian; hair straight and black, with a few silver threads, touching his coat collar behind.  He gave me a warm grasp of the hand, and said very pleasantly, 'Buenas dias,' which means 'How do you do', or literally, 'Good day.'  His face was really pleasant to look upon, making me say to myself, 'How strange it is that such a man can be the robber and murderer so much complained of.'      It is interesting to note that the descriptions given by Sladen and General Howard are of an Indian who was at the time close to the end of his life (Cochise died in 1874), and was referred to as "the old man" by Jeffords, Sladen and General Howard (though, one can safely surmise, never to Cochise's face).  Cochise by this time was likely around 60 years old and although he was still unquestionably a respected and powerful leader, he was no longer the warrior-chief he had been in years prior.  Still, descriptions of his physique never failed, even in this later period, to remark upon his apparent strength and straightness of frame.      Less than a year earlier, Cochise, while encamped at Cañada Alamosa, a reservation in New Mexico (now Monticello), allowed an interview by several journalists from the Las Cruces Borderer.  He had traveled to the reservation with a small contingent of his band to "test the waters", so to speak, a sure sign that he was tired of fighting and thinking seriously of moving his people there permanently.  The journalists described him as "a tall and finely formed man . . . little indication of age.  His hair is intensely black, his face smooth and slightly ornamented with yellow ochre.  His mouth is splendidly formed and flexible, his nose prominent and his eye expresses no ferocity . . . His countenance is pleasant . . . a sense of melancholy and thoughtfullness is clearly discernible."  (from Cochise, Chiricahua Apache Chief by Edwin R. Sweeney, University of Oklahoma Press).      While no photographs of Cochise are known to exist, there is the distinct possibility that a drawing, painting or possibly a photograph from life was made sometime in 1872, possibly while visiting Fort Bowie.  This hypothesis stems from the fact that an art dealer named Charles Parker recently discovered a painting of an Indian matching historical descriptions of Cochise and, in fact, the painting is entitled, "Cochise by W. S. Sutter, 1872".   The face definitely has Cochise's high cheekbones, Roman nose, and dark eyes -- as well as a pleasant but somewhat melancholy mouth.  The style is that of the times, the depiction projecting a slightly effeminate aura.   It is probably the closest thing we are likely to see as a true likeness of an aging Cochise.  Even Edwin Sweeney, Cochise's biographer, told me that he thinks it is likely authentic.   Is this Cochise, as he appeared in 1872 -- when General Howard and Joseph Alton  Sladen came without invitation to his camp  in the Dragoons seeking a treaty? See paragraph above. A photograph of Naiche, the youngest son of Cochise, circa 1884.  It was said at the time that Naiche bore a strong resemblance to his father. Photo by A. Frank Randall      In terms of comparison to a true photo, we have a valuable resource in the photographs taken of Cochise's youngest son, Naiche (identified as Natchez or Na-Chees in some writings of the period).  It is known that Naiche closely resembled his father, from comments made by contemporaries of the two.

           *    *    *