If there's such a thing as a person with no redeeming qualities, Mickey Free may have been one such person. He has been described as ugly, dirty, unreliable and dishonest.
Wherever Mickey Free went, death seemed to follow. Even when he was a kid.
On January 27, 1861, at the age of 12, Apache Indians kidnapped Mickey. A Lt. Bascom led a command to find him. Lt. Bascom came across Cochise and some of his braves. Although Cochise knew nothing about the kidnapping, Lt. Bascom accused Cochise of stealing Mickey. A fight ensued, and some of Cochise's braves were shot. Cochise went on the warpath, and in 60 days, he and his braves killed 150 whites.
Later Mickey gained his freedom. Although Mickey's real name was Felix Martinez, when he returned he started using the name Mickey Free. Some say Mickey came from the fact his father was Irish. His last name "Free" came as a result of his being free from captivity.
Mickey has been described as having long unkempt fiery red hair and a red mustache. He only had one eye. It was said he had a mug that looked like the map of Ireland. It was a nice way of saying that he was really ugly.
Mickey worked as an Army scout in the Apache campaign. The Apaches didn't like him, and the feeling was mutual. He would spread rumors about the Apache, and when the Army used him as an interpreter, his translating was to the detriment of the Indians.
One time Mickey was sent to capture an Apache. He tracked him for 300 miles. After Mickey killed the Apache, realizing the body was too heavy to carry, he carved off the Indian's face as proof of the kill.
Mickey only had one friend, chief of scouts, Al Sieber. Even he said of Mickey, "He's half Mexican, half Irish and whole SOB.
