New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1906-11-21
Black Wolf S Bad Heart

Copyright, 1906 by c. H. sutcline.l
The Cheyennes had fought the white
soldiers for fifteen years. Chief Walk
by-Night had started out in the belief
that there were only about 5000 white
men in all America, and as soon as he
could get them together he would fin
ish them off, but after many years he
came to have better understanding.
When the first blades of green grass
were seen on the southern hillsides
word was sent out to the subchiefs to
gather in council. All responded but
Black Wolf. He was fiery tempered
young man of twenty-five. 1t had so
happened that he and his band had
taken all the scalps gathered in during
the year past, and he was ambitious,
fearless and great hater. He wanted
war all the time. He had plans to
round up all the white soldiers and
make a grand finish Of them. Let the
Cheyennes perform some daring deed
and they might count on an alliance
Wolf claimed to be i'll and asked for
few days delay.
On the bluffs on the north bank of
Medicine creek the white soldiers were
building a fort. It was within the
Cheyenne territory and was another
insult to them Black Wolf had seen
the men at work the previous fall.
During the winter work would have
been suspended, but now that spring
had come the white men would be busy
again, and again the white topped wag-
ons would roll across the plains.
Those wagons, as he knew, contain
ed -four, meat, firearms, powder and
bullets, blankets. cooking utensils.
clothing and many other things needed
by his tribe. II he could run of ave or
six Of them, with perhaps half hun
dred mules and horses, the wealth OF
the tribe would be restored twice over
The feat would be daring one, and
one to challenge admiration and bring
about alliances. 'Walk-by-Night would
no longer cover his face and talk of
peace, but his voice would be for war
and his face painted to strike terror to
the hearts Of his enemies.
1t was golden opportunity for Black
Wolf. He had less than fifty warriors
In his band, but all were enthusiastic
and sure of success. It was a ride Of
seventy-nve miles from the camp to
the bluffs where the fort was building.
but this was less than two days ride,
even on the half starved ponies The
medicine man made his medicine and
pronounced it good, and away rode the
young men. The soldiers were busy,
and a wagon train was crawling over
the plains. The Indians could not have
asked for the situation to be bettefed.
They lost little time in pushing In. The
last six wagons were cut OF by bril-
liant dash, seven of the escort killed
and the six drivers saved to be tor
tured at the stake later on. Ehe sol.
diers turned out from the new fort and
gave chase. but were beaten back. Six
double mule teams and twelve led
horses were among the fruits Of the
capture. and under the covers Of the
wagons was wealth beyond compare
That was a proud moment for Black
Wolf when he brought his prisoners
and plumber safe to the main camp
He also had his little speech ready
II have heard it said that the Chey
! ennes had become a tribe Of women,
he said. with forty-two warriors
have captured what you see before
you. Let that be the answer. I have
| heard it whispered that we must make
| peace and go upon the reservation t.
| escape hunger and cold In the wagon.
here are enough food and blankets t.
last US for years. If forty-two Of u:
have done this, what cannot 1000 o.
US do? There are 500 white men at tn,
new fort. Are we to leave them il
peace, or are their scalps to hang OIL
our lodges?'
Ali this and heap more was sale
by Black Wolf before he was through
with his speech, and he carried thu
crowd with him. Walk-by-Night con
| Guided that he had made a big mis-
take and straightway repented Of 1t
while the squaws chanted and the war
riors Dragged and staggered. The vii
lage now numbered 800 people. Som
Of the bands had not yet come In. Fiv
Of the wagons were unloaded, and tn
hopes of the redskins were more thai
realized. There were pork, beef, sugar
coffee and -four by the barrel. Their
were bacon, hard tack, beans, peas, ric
and tobacco. The six wagons were Il
the center Of the village. The stu1
taken from the five made great heap
The contents of the sixth were left 70
inspection on the morrow.
By and by, when all speeches ha
been concluded, hunger satisfied an
the crowd had got hold Of enough whis
ky to give everybody a whooping oil
time, some of the younger bucks bega
firing their guns. One Of the teamster
called out to them and tried to e.
plain something. He was given sla
on the face, and the reyel went on.
Ten minutes later one of the bullet
fred by mad dancer penetrated th
box Of the wagon, and there Instant
followed an explosion that shook th
earth for thirty miles around It ha
haen the last wagon in tho train