<Tr> <Td> Mar 21 </Td> <Td> The "Big Fight" takes place in Tascosa, Texas, when three ex-members of Pat Garrett's "Home Rangers" are killed by rival ranch hands and gunmen . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Aug 7 </Td> <Td> Fort Fred Steele, used to protect railroads from local Native American tribes in the Wyoming Territory, is closed . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Aug 20 </Td> <Td> Fort Duchesne is officially opened by Major Frederick William Benteen in the Utah Territory . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Sep 4 </Td> <Td> Apache renegade Geronimo surrenders to forces under General Nelson Miles and is taken into custody at Fort Grant, Arizona . His surrender is often considered the end of the Apache Wars . </Td> </Tr>

What event open the northwest territory to american expansion