Indian Heroes and Great ChieftainsEastman, Charles A.
History
Indian Heroes and Great Chieftains
Eastman, Charles A.
Dakota Indians -- Biography; Heroes; Indians of North America -- Biography
On the day of the “Big Issue”, when thousands of Indians were gathered
at the agency, this man Little, who had been in hiding, walked boldly
among them. Of course the police would arrest him at sight, and he was
led toward the guardhouse. He struggled with them, but was overpowered.
A crowd of warriors rushed to his rescue, and there was confusion and
a general shout of “Hurry up with them! Kill them all!” I saw American
Horse walk out of the agent’s office and calmly face the excited mob.
“What are you going to do?” he asked. “Stop, men, stop and think before
you act! Will you murder your children, your women, yes, destroy your
nation to-day?” He stood before them like a statue and the men who held
the two policemen helpless paused for an instant. He went on: “You are
brave to-day because you outnumber the white men, but what will you do
to-morrow? There are railroads on all sides of you. The soldiers will
pour in from every direction by thousands and surround you. You have
little food or ammunition. It will be the end of your people. Stop, I
say, stop now!”
Jack Red Cloud, son of the old chief rushed up to him and thrust a
revolver almost in his face. “It is you and men like you,” he shouted,
“who have reduced our race to slavery and starvation!” American Horse
did not flinch but deliberately reentered the office, followed by Jack
still flourishing the pistol. But his timely appearance and eloquence
had saved the day. Others of the police force had time to reach the
spot, and with a large crowd of friendly Indians had taken command of
the situation.
When I went into the office I found him alone but apparently quite calm.
“Where are the agent and the clerks?” I asked. “They fled by the back
door,” he replied, smiling. “I think they are in the cellar. These fools
outside had almost caught us asleep, but I think it is over now.”
American Horse was one of the earliest advocates of education for
the Indian, and his son Samuel and nephew Robert were among the first
students at Carlisle. I think one or two of his daughters were the
handsomest Indian girls of full blood that I ever saw. His record as
a councilor of his people and his policy in the new situation that
confronted them was manly and consistent.
DULL KNIFE
The life of Dull Knife, the Cheyenne, is a true hero tale. Simple,
child-like yet manful, and devoid of selfish aims, or love of gain, he
is a pattern for heroes of any race.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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