The Globe-republican. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1889-1910, 1895-05-17


Ell Reno, May 13.-Whirlwind, the
head chief Of the Cheyenne nation OF
Indians. is dead. After years Of wal
he died peacefully. A few days ago
while out rounding up his ponies at
which work he exercised himself VOL
emily, a messenger ran to him and in
formed him Of the death Of a grandchild
his favorite papeose-and without ut
tering a word he fell dead on the
ground.
Thus ended the life of the mightiest
chief that ever presided over the des-
TIMES OF the Cheyenne nation. the men,
bers Of which followed his remains to
the grave with lamentations of sorrow
that could have been heard for miles
around.
The man who has waded in blood
to his ankles during his time and es-
capped probably ten thousand bullets,
was killed by the shock of hearing of a
child's death. The heart that broke in
that mans bosom for such a cause, GER
tainly was not Of cold-blooded savage.
The child was but 2-yeras-old and the
favorite child Of his favorite daughter.
In the calm Of his old days he would
wander around to the tepee Of his dau-
ghter. take the child on his knee and
play with her for hours. The child was
a little girl-a nice ,bright-faced little
papoose-and the old man talked not to
her OF war or the traditions Of the In
dams. but played and talked with her
as If he had been child himself.
No tombstone now marks, and prob
ably never will mark. the spot in which
lie his remains, and yet he was a Ma
polean and a Caesar and a Soloman
ever sat around the council fire Of his
people. or no Drawer warrior ever fol-
lowed their fortunes in the field
Whirlwind descended from a royal
stock. His parental ancestors for gen.
erations before him, had been chiefs in
the tribes. while his mothers family
had long and brilliant pedigrees. His
mothers brother was the famous Black
kettle. he who fell by the sword of the
gallant Custer at Washita in that men,
orable battle that was fought in the
middle Of the winter twenty-seven
years ago. Whirlwind, however, need
ed no pedigrees to give him prominence.
He carved out fame by his own deeds
OF daring and personal bravery; for 1t
is conceded that with the single excep-
ton of Quanah Parker that not so brave
an Indian lived in his time. And he had
some of the greatest qualities of gener-
alship. Napolean in his system of war
fare, had two aracteristics: first he
was noted for his rapid movements:
second. for cutting the enemy's ranks
Whirlwind had the same Characters
tics In his military life. In fact his
name Is derived from the former char
acteriStic. He struck terror here one
day. fifty miles away the next, and so
on till the people said 'he travels like
whiriwind." That is how he got the
name he bore until his death, although
it was not his right name.
Whirlwind was not a blood thirsty
man. Colonel William Matthewson of
Wichita knew him for over forty years.
He says that he was as true as steel to
q friend. white or red. When Mr.. Mat
thewson wanted once to trade with the
who were then a very
savage as well as very treacherous
tribe, Whirlwind called thirty braves to
his side and volunteered to accompany
the noted plainsman. When they went
into the Commanche camp the warriors
and people of that nation proposed to
lake Mr.. Matthewsons goods by force.
Whirlwind stepped in front of the Com
chief and, pointing one finger
1t Mr.. Matthewson and the other one at
he nose Of the chief. said: THAT white
nan is the friend and brother of the
Cheyenne. and you cannot lay a finger
IN his property without walking over
he dead bodies of myself and my brave
warriors. You can kill us. but We have
many more warriors left who will wipe
Tour tribe off the face of the earth. |
Commence your robbing work if you
lare and for every Cheyenne killed we
will send ten of your people to the hap
~ hunting grounds" The result was |
hat the Commanche chief bought the !
FOODS from Mr.. Matthewson and offered |
lin ponies to relieve his animals with |
The Cheyennes never spilled a drop |
Il blood SO long as they could help it |
Until after Colonel Chivington massas- |
freed the Indians at Sand creed. Then |
hey became desperate and under Whirl |
Winds leadership did great damage to |
he forces Of the government. Whirl- |
win would select a band Of young |
'raves, dash into the opposition. cut |
hem in two and thus separated do i'm |
nense damage. When Black Kettle was |
titled Whirlwind was not present, but |
he moment he heard Of his uncle's |
leath he organized his band and whip |
,ed Clusters forces every inche of the |
prairie until they retired into camp |
upply. He made 1t so hot for Custer |
hat the government troops that were |
killed laid scattered on the prairie for |
hree weeks in some instances. This |
act is not in General Custor's book.
Personally Whirlwind was very clever |
md genial. and had hosts Of friends
among the white people in Oklahoma.
He always wore on his breast silver
medal presented to him at Washington
BY General Grant. Of which he was very
proud. He was a man Of considerable
pride. and always wore the golden eagle
straps Of a colonel on his shoulders. It
Is not known who his successor will be,
but the indications are that he Will be
m educated Indian from what Is known
as the young crowd" who are now
running the affairs Of the
.,-,
TRIBAL RULERS TO MEET.
At Fort Gibson They Will Decide What TO
do About the Dawes Commission.