New Mexico’s historic Fort Stanton memorializes the courageous officer’s name, but the tragedy behind the young captain’s death and burial bears remembering.

In spite of being a prisoner of war, Goyathlay (his real name) rode in Teddy Roosevelt’s inaugural parade and visited the White House. With his growing national notoriety he began to cash in. He favored three-piece suits, and he had a sweet tooth for lemon pie. He was a master haggler and, by one account, a fearless homemaker. Truth be told, he was a master at beating the White Man at his own game. At the end of his long, rich life, what was his dying wish?

A schoolteacher in New Mexico found the answer.

This is that story.