Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-02-28
LOGAN FONTENELLE !
Big INDIAN CHIEF
One Of the Most Respected Indians
that Ever Roamed Nebraska
Plains Was This Leader.
CHIEF OF THE OMAHA INDIANS
who was Logan Fontonelie7

Who was Logan Fontenelle?
Nearly everybody knows he was
chief Of the Omaha tribe Of Indians.
Nearly everybody knows also that the
new Fontenellc hotel was named in his
honor
Here is the story Of his greatness and
wisdom. the story OF his short life and
tragic death. II Is given by his brother.
Henry Fontenelle.
Logan Fontenelle was born az Fort At
kinson. at or near the present site OF
Fort Calhoun May 6. 1926. Fort Atkinson
was then a garrison.
Builds Trading Post.
His father, Lucien Fontenelle, was
trading with the Indians at that time. Not
long after the birth Of Logan he went
10 Bellevue and built the trading post
that p. A. Sarpy occupied
Logan grew up and was sent away with
his younger brother 60 ST. Louis to school.
The lads had been there only two years
when their father died and they returned
60 Bellevue.
At the age OF l6 years Logan was ap-
pointed United states government in
terpreter for the Omaha Indians a po-
sition which he held until his death.
When the United States made overtures
to the Omahas for the purchase Of their
country. Logan Fontenele was made
principal chief. a position which he con.
tinued 70 hold until he met his death AT
the hands OF the hereditary enemies OF
the Omahas, the Sioux Indians, June Is.
1855.
Held I'm High Esteem
Never was there a chief OF the Omahas
who held so high place In their affec-
lions. Never was there another chief Of
the omahas or any other tribe who did
as much to lift them up to higher things
than Logan Fontenelle.
His influence over the tribe was abso-
lutte. The respect and honor in which
they held him was the highest Years
before he became chief he had tried 10
instil into the Omahas the advantages OF
becoming civilized and educated and en-
gaging seriously and steadfastly in the
pursuits OF agriculture.
Their great vice at that time was
drunkenness and on this evil Logan Fon-
tonelle set his foot. presenting the
strange spectacle OF an Indian prohibit
ZIONIST
As soon AZ he became chief he ap-
pointed twenty young men OF the tribe to
act as police II was their duty to arrest
ell members Of the TRIBE who were found
intoxicated. TO give them thrashins
with whips and TO break up their Jugs
OF whiskey.
Water Wagon Drivers.
Many a hard tussel did the twenty
Indian Water wagon drivers" have to
keep the men OF the tribe firmly seated
on the famous vehicle and TO boost up
again those who had tumbled off.
But Logan Fontenelle enforced his dc
cree with a firm hand end within few
seass had turned the omahas into a
sober. virtuous and law abiding people.
On May 20. 1856, the omahas received
the first installment OF the annuities
they were to- get from the government
for their land. As soon as possible
thereafter they started on the annual
buffalo hunt. going up the Elkhorn river,
A weeks travel brought thom 10 the
country where the buffalos still foamed
by the thousands In those days
The sioux Appear.
Prospects were fine for n successful
kill They spread out TO make their
first surround" when they discovered
the presence OF their ancient enemies. the
Sioux, who were assembled In large num-
bers.
They gave battle at once and two of
the Omaha tribe were killed. They at
tempted TO go on with the hunt hut the
Sioux kept worrying them. II being their
apparent intention 20 give them battle
everything the omahas had surrounded
the buffalo.
II soon became apparent that the Sioux
were far 20 numerous for them TO en-
gage successfully and the Omahas de-
cided to retreat. toward home.
They travelled down the Eikhorn valley
Tor six days. by that time all signs OF
their enemies had disappeared One day
q number OF elk appeared off 10 one
side OF the valley. Chief Fontenelle gave
orders to stalk them and he himself
with a number Of braves. rode cautiously
toward the distant herd.
After riding some distance they sep
brated IN order to surround the elk.
sioux AsaiA Appear.
As soon as they had become separated
Che Sioux, whom they thought they haS
neft far behind. but who had beeI
craftily following them, waiting for Jus
such an opportunity. made their ap
pearance.
Most Of the hunters saw them In tim
20 make dash back 10 the camp. Blu
not 80 Logan Fontenelle. lie was Gu
Off
The Sioux were In very great numbers
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