The Powder River County examiner and the Broadus independent. [volume] (Broadus, Mont.) 1919-1935, 1920-07-23
LAST FIGHT Between
THE CROWS AND SIOUX
CIV. H. Banhll.)

wv. H. Banflll.)
Although racially the Grow In
dams are Of the same stock as the
Sioux, within the period that their
history is known, the two tribes have
been bitter enemies. At the same
time the Cheyennes who are members
of the Algonquin race have been the
staunch allies of the Sioux and enc
mics of the Crows. Perhaps the rea-
son for their constant warfare was
that the land Of the Absaraka
Astounding in game, in waterways
and in sheltered valleys was a tempt
ing one and its possession was mat
ter for warlike dispute among the
neighboring tribes. At first the
Crows were able to carry war into
their enemies territory but gradually
they proved too much for them and
they had to cede some Of their land
to the Cheyennes and allow, the
Sioux hunting rights in other por-
tions. The Crows were glad to have
the white men and especially the
white soldiers, come into the land
for they proved efficient allies against
their new and unwelcome Indian
neighbors. This explains the align
ment at the time of the Custer mas
sacre when the Sioux and the Chey-
enne had invaded anew the Crow
land.
George Deputee, who is an old
settler in the Lodge Grass district,
and something OF an authority as to
Inclan customs and history was a
witness of what was probably the
last armed conflict between the Grows
and the Sioux. 1t occurred in the
year 1887 near Crow Agency. A
party of Sioux had come down the
Rosebud and over to the Wolf noun
tains, their usual way of attack.
Their purpose was to steal bunch
of horses and then make their get
away. 1t was considered almost as
daring a deed to steal through the
and make off with some of their
horses which. would be corralled in
the very center of the enclosure as
to annex the scal., of a warrior in
open warfare.
When this party, however, arrived
within sight OF the land of the Grows
most of them got cold feet or putting
it more mildly wiser counsel began
to prevail. a council was held and
most were in favor of sending d
message to the Grows proposing that
a feast ,,c held in honor OF their
visit. 1t was the custom and still
is where the government will permit
it for one tribe or parties from one
tribe to visit to pay friendly visits
for weeks at a time to other tribes.
These peaceful missions are usually
received with a great deal of hospi
tality. dances and feasts are given.
and the departing visitors are loaded
down with gifts. These Sioux reason
ed that they would be likely to re
ceive as gifts quite as many horses
as they could possibly steal and that
il the gifts were not forthcoming.
they could do their stealing later.
But there We're two 'irreconcila bles
who stood out for the original plan
Finding they could not be reasoned ,
With, the rest determined TO let them
20 ahead while they -camped on the
highlands and waited the result OF .
the raid.
The two men followed along the .
bench land OF the Little Horn till .
they came to the encampment OF the .
Crows in the bottom below them.
Leaving their horses they crept down
" here they could observe the camp.
Their trained eyes took in the small
a,t thing that would be to their adj
vantage when night gave them the
chance to carry ont their plan. But
while they waited suddenly they Oh
served q commotion in the camp;
hurried consultation and quick prep
arations. They knew what had hap
penea at once. Their horses had
away to the srass lands be-
low. Some Grows had seem them and
recognizing the tfaprings, had given
the alarm at once, "SioEX, There
was but one thing Ia do make sud
den rush and capture q couple OF
Crow horses, and set back TO the
main encampmeut before the CToas
could surround them. This they at
tempted To do and succeeded in get
ting the horses but the only horses
they could catch were old ones ana
hen they turned toward the Wolf
they found their way
barred. Theu they started TO make
their escape down the stream and
found their way blocked again. Fl
laily they were driven into the brush
and sought retu sc in a depression III
he ground that served as sort OF
oreastWorh. Here they We're sur
rounded by ct least two hundred
Crows but iii spite of the Odds, they
determined to die hghtine. Il VAS
20 easy matter to get at them, they
WoHld jump up III the air. fire a0d
fall back SO LUCKILY that the Grows
had no chance to bring their rifles
TO bear on them. One Of the Gro"
warriors was killed While one OF the
5ioGN was badly wounded. \ parloy
was held and it was found that the
man Iron Horse who was killed Was
he brother-in-law Of his slayer, He
had left the Sioux many years before,
had married Crow woman and had |
been adopted into the tribe The |
Battle was resumed and lasted tor |
several hours. At last the two Sioux 7
were killed but not until |