Lame Deer Execution

[andym]

Just a very few years after the Custer Battle, a rancher was murdered by 2 Indian Braves near Lame Deer and were executed by charging into a U.S. Army firing squad.....I remember reading about it years ago but I can't remember and I was once on a field trip there regarding this event.....does anyone have any further info on this; dates, names, etc.........TIA

[gary]

On 13.9.1890, two young Northern Cheyennes, Head Chief and Young Mule were killed in a suicide charge upon troops of the 1st Cavalry under Major Henry Carroll at the Tongue River Reservation, Montana. Their deaths came after Head Chief had murdered Hugh Boyle, a visitor from Chicago, near Lame Deer, Montana on 6.9.1890. (see Svingen – The Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation pp.85-87, Stands In Timber & Liberty – Cheyenne Memories pp.53, 251-254 and Weist – A History Of The Cheyenne People Pp.136-137).

[andym]

Thanx Gary. I'm purty sure it's the same event I was inquiring. The way I remember reading it is that it was a young rancher and his wife that just settled there near Lame Deer, they certainly could've been from Chicago; the rancher was murdered and the wife wanted revenge/justice and pressured the sheriff, etc., to bring the 2 culprits to justice. The Cheyenne tribal elders didn't want to release them to the white authorities cuz they figured the two would be hung and their spirits not able to escape their bodies and go to the happy hunting grounds. After some negotiations, everyone, including the 2 murderers, agreed to the settlement of the 2 charging a contingent U. S. troops and being killed that way. I can't remember the number of troops, but I think it might've been a platoon size detail. I know I have this all in one of my many books but it irritates me no end that I can't find it. The real reason I want to refresh myself on it is that several of us will be out there at my friends ranch shooting prairie dogs and turkeys in a coupla weeks and we'll probably visit the battlefield via Lame Deer, and I'd like to tell the story to my friends about this event when we go through the town. Anything else that you can provide will be appreciated! TIA

[crzhrs]

Andym:

There was a movie released back in the 50s--WHITE FEATHER with Jeffrey Hunter & Hugh O'Brien as Cheyenne warriors. There was a scene at the end of the movie when they both charged a contingent of US troops and were shot down when they refused to surrender. The entire tribe and many Whites were there to witness it.

It has quite a similar ring to what you stated. I wonder if the movie may have been based on what you described.

[shan]

andym.

the book you may be thinking of is 'Red Indian Experiences by DeCost Smith'. He devotes a whole chapter to the Incident, briefly, it seems that a young Cheyenne by the name of Chief In Head was feeling tetchy about a love affair that had gone wrong and rather stupidly killed the first white man he met. Eventually, he and his best friend a boy named Humped Over, who had not been involved in the killing decided to put on their best clothing and charge three troops of cavalry who had been sent out to bring them in, rather than give themselves up and be hung like dogs.
Decost gives a great account of what happened, he also made a fine painting of the incident, great book, well worth looking out for.

Shan

[gary]

It is the same incident, and you are right Shan, DeCost Smith's book is worth looking out for.

[gary]

Svingen's account is quite good as well.

[andym]

Always thought it was a very dramatic event but didn't know if Hollywood could actually make a 2 hour movie of it that would sell. I found the book "Cheyenne Memories"(Hardorff) in my library but this edition only mentions the "Head Chief incident" in passing on page 139 and does not elaborate at all. I'll make an effort to locate the "Red Indian Experiences" by DeCost Smith at our local library. It just doesn't sound the same, tho, the way I remember reading about it and the way Jim Court of the CBHMA explained it on the field trip. Also, the way I remember is that it was an infantry detail with long tom Springfield .45-70 rifles that formed up the firing squad, not cavalry. They actually stood in a line formation as the 2 Indian guys charged down the hill right into them and fired upon command. I've been there several times and there are no signs or markers indicating the event. It is purty much only a cemetery. I also understand the place is sometimes locally referred to as Memorial Hill or Suicide Hill.

[crawdaddo]

Hey crz I remember that movie from when I was a little kid.I don't recall much at all about it except that very dramatic ending which at that age I thought was really shocking and couldn't understand.I'm glad you mentioned that...craw

[crzhrs]

I did a google search for WHITE FEATHER and came up with the movie and a few other things.

The ending was not quite as I thought. The two Cheyenne who I previously said charged the soldiers was only one. The other was goaded into shooting off his rifle and thereby "started" the battle. He was shot immediately. The other (Jeffrey Hunter) then did his "suicide charge" against the soldiers with everyone watching. He died as he wanted to--a warrior.

[clw]

I know I've seen this acted out (or else I dreamt it), but I've never seen that film. It's been bugging me ever since this thread started. There were two in the footage I saw -- an older warrior and a young one. Horse, could you have seen it in a different film?

[BrokenSword]

clw-

crzhrs is correct about that film. Based on a true incident. Jeffery Hunter and his best friend (American Horse in the film) refused to surrender and go onto a reservation. Hunter's father was the older chief who signed the peace treaty.

After the signing ceremony, the two untameables appeared and confronted the soldiers, attempting to provoke the soldiers into firing first. The soldiers didn't. American Horse did and disgraced his tribe in doing so.

The chief shot and killed American Horse and Hunter charged the soldiers who, naturally, brought him down by volley fire.

M

[clw]

That must have been it then. The only thing I remember about the movie is that scene. Of course, now I'll have to hunt it down so I can watch it again.