The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1906-06-07

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arrows still remaining in the Paw
nees' possession. About ten years ago
the other two arrows were recovered
by the Cheyennes paying in exchange
200 ponies. The Pawnees entertained
the visiting Cheyennes, giving dances
and banquets in their honor, but re-
fused to return the arrows. saying that
maybe so" some time in the future
they would consider some proposition
for the return. Again during the past
week the Cheyennes journeyed from
their lodges in western Oklahoma to
the tepees of the Pawnees in the north
ern part, and again conference began
for the exchange of the sacred arrows.
More dances followed and numerous
powwOws of great splendor and In
dian magnificance, but the arrows are
still with the Pawnees. The dances
were held along the banks of Skedee
creek, and the Pawnees have promised
that perhaps when the Pawnees re-
turn the visit next summer if they are
treated according to their deserts by
the Cheyennes the arrows may be re-
turned In olden times this would have
been casus belli between the two
tribes, but under the present order of
things the Pawnees have the Chey-
ennes at their mercy.
When warning times were the pro.
gram, back in the sixties and seven
ties, however, the Cheyennes consid-
cred the Skedee band the most for
midable soldiers in the Pawnee tribe,
and on the other hand the Dog Sol
diers of the Cheyennes were held in
equal reverence by the Pawnees The
present head of the Dog Soldiers is
Flying Hawk, who is also the tribal
prophet and medicine man. Under
him the medicine arrowkeeper, with
four assistants, eight priests, or medi-
cine men, and four leading chiefs
and forty chiefs of less importance.
Flying Hawk was an important visitor
with the Cheyennes during the last
week in dickering for the two sacred
arrows.
One of the last big battles fought
between the Pawnees and Cheyennes
happened in 1872 on Beaver creek, in
what is now Smith county, Kansas,
and near the present site of Smith
Center, the county seat. The old Nor
mon trail from Independence, Mo-, to
Salt Lake also runs in that vicinity
and is plainly visible today. At times
the battle between the two tribes was
waged along the old trail. On one
side, assisting the Pawnees, were the
Delawares and the Omahas, and on
the other with the Cheyennes were
the Arapahoes and the Apaches, or
what was known as the Cheyenne con-
federation. The party numbered 1000
warriors and the Cheyennes 5000.
The Pawnees lost 1000 in the battle
and the Cheyennes 5000 killed and
700 prisoners, who were afterward
burned to the stake
According to an old blind warrior
of the Pawnees, one of the survivors
of the fight, the battle was brought
on by the Pawnees, who at that time
were the most powerful and warlike
west of the Mississippi. His story is
authenticated by Monteravin, an old
French trapper and guide, now living
ON the extreme headwaterS of the
Frenchmans fork of the Republican
river. He got the story of the battle
| many years ago from the Pawnee war
riors who participated in the fight
The battle lasted for three days"
said Monteravin, "and was one of
the most bloody conflicts. II resulted
in complete victory for the Pawnees.
They were led in the battle by the
celebrated chief, Tarponaha, at that
time the most crafty and daring chief
of the Pawnees. The Cheyennes were
led by the aged Oconomawoe, of