The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1907-07-25
COWBOY AND BANKER
Strange Dual Career Of Major c.
W. Lille, Who Gained Fame
in Western Country
WHITE CHIEF OF THE INDIANS

In Wall street, in the national finan-
cial district, and in the gathering
places of men of affairs, they know
Pawnee Bill, Snowman, only as Major
Gordon w. Lille, president of the
Arkansas Valley Bank, of Pawree,
Oklahoma, and distinguished private
citizen of that community. Clad in
the quiet habiliments of commercial
life, with his flowing hair concealed
under the crown Of his ample hat,
there are only his veri1e and jaunty
figure and alert and vigorous move
ments to distinguish him from the
men with whom he associates and
consults. He is immersed, like them,
in the responsibilities of everyday
routine avocations.
Through the winter he tolls, con-
cerned with bond issues and bank
notes, presiding at meetings of city
and bank directors, rejoicing over
municipal Improvements and spend
ing pleasant evenings IN the seclusion
of his private home. His is the round
of the conlp1acent, sedate, homeloving
bank president of familiar type.
There is no Pawnee Bill.
Spring comes. It is natures an
nual imperious summons for the pass-
ing of Major Gordon w. Lille. In
mis- stead appears the figure Of a
mounted man, straight poised in the
stirrups of his heavy saddle. A coil
of rope hangs on his saddle bow. A
loose belt swings revolver low down
upon his hips. A wide hat tops the
brown locks that bangle to his shout
ders, and deep handkerchief hutters
at his neck. The small and sinewy
steed beneath him is as quick and
jaunty as he. Pawnee Bill, scout,
p1ainsman, cowboy, hunter, guide,
Indian leader, has come into his own.
Major Lille is "Pawnee Bill" be-
cause the indians and men of the
plains will have him no other way.
The sobriquet was given to him ia
the 1awless days of the Indian Ter
ritory. He left his birthplace, Bloom
ington, III, in quest Of the romantic
which the early West offered.
The characteristic endowments of
his mind were courage, strength and
shrewdness. From childhood he had
been marvel among marksmen and
the apothesis of equestrianism.
Among the turbulent spirits of his
new environment, he speedily made
his personality and proves felt He
became the wigwam friend and con-
fldant Of thesred men. They came to
him in their shifting circumstances of
JOY and sorrow and finally conferred
upon him the great Indian honor of
White Chief. 1t is the only instance
IN lndianshistory of the paying of the
compliment to pale face.
The making of Oklahoma thrust
the "White Chief into worldwide
prominence. Wealthy cattlemen held
the fertile acres without right or war
rant, defyingl and denying encroach-
ment or election. Tinnid ranchmen
turned to major Lille. Would he
take the initiative against the power
ful squatters? He was ready, con-
vinced that the land was wrongfu11y
withheld from public occupation. At
the head of 5000 men, grimly pre-
pared toiiassert their rights, he ad-
vanced spon the common enemy.
Washington. alarmed, babe the in
vaders wait, and Immediately Con-
gress passed a bill officially throwing
open Oklahoma to homesteaders.
At the head of Turkey Creek the
leader of the movement located his
claim. Today the City of Pawnee
stands memorial to his brave energy
and genius, and he is its wonder and
its pride.
His tented enterprise will spread it's
big tents here on July 18th and the
city is promised ''once in a life
time" treat. DIV