South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-11-20
INDIAN WAR HERO
RETURNS TO WILDS
Leader, Cited for bravery In
France, Now Lives With
Wife IN Woods.

Five years ago. there lived In the
forests Of McCurtain county. OKLA
homa. "a Choctaw Indian boy full
blood mem Der OF his tribe True 90
the traditions OF his ancestors. &c
was his ambition % De a great hun
ter and a great warrior brave
chief But the white man had en-
croachcd upon the domain OF the
Indian and killed much o. the game
and there were no wars 90 fight.
Around his home were the best
hunting grounds OF the state. the
deepest forests and the opportunity
for least contact with the palefaces
and the Indian boy was content.
with the environments as near az
possible Ike those Of the days be-
fore the white man came. ne hunt
ed and dshed living I'm the woods
little concerned with what the rest
OF the world did
The boys name was Okiahombi
Occasionally young Oklahombi
went 90 church Ga a little log mis-
sion building which stands near his
cabin Beside this mission Is an
other little building in which the
BOY studied for few years 20 learn
something OF the ways and books
81 the white man.
But the call OF the birds and ami
mais. the urge Of the solitude. beck
oned 90 the boy. and the Indian
blood in his veins responded 10 the
call Studies could hold him no
longer and ne went forth with his
gun. as his fathers had with their
bows and arrows.
EnIists I'm Army.
oklahoma fell IN rove with one
OF the pretty maidens OF his tribe.
and they were married. Together
they lived IN the cabin. IA ised a few
chickens. titled a few acres OF land
and hunted when the hunting was
best
One day OkIahombi heard that
great war was raging between many
tribes across the great waters The
news quickened the pulse OF the In
dian. and brought the longing 10 be
a great warrior irresistibly 20 him.
When his own nation became en-
gagged IN the war. OklahombI could
wait no longer. He enlisted
But war 20 Oklahombi was not
what ne thought Il would be. Train.
Ing In war camps was not shooting
az the enemy II is he who is cred
tied with the saying Of the Indian
soldiers that there was too much
salute; not enough shoot"
Oklahombi had little opportunity
70 show his prowess as a warrior.
He was bat one Of the smallest cogs
IN a machine OF many wheels. and
so far as the world was concerned.
unknown-lost among 10 million
soldiers
At St. Etlcnne.
Finally Oklahombi-they called
him Joseph Oklahombi on the army
records-was sent with thousands of
others. 10 France 10 fight. He was
one OF company d. 141st infantry.
Seth division.
Asslgned 10 a French unit on the
ST Eticnne sector. OkIahombi-the
imam killer" for that is what his
name meaus-was given his great
chance The spirits OF his warrior
s fathers must have gloried IN the
deeds Of Oklahombi rs he demon
strated that he was indeed a great
warrior. and brave.
Then came the day when Okla
hombi. the mere cog in a wheel,
rose suddenly 20 fame With 90
comrades, he rushed upon a German
nest where 50 machine guns and a
dozen cannon and trench mortars
were belching steel
They captured the place Turn
ing the guns about they dealt smash
3 ing blows az their enemies with their
company. their courage was fur
Their tested, for they were beseiged.
IL was four days before reinforce
ments came. but they held their
position and brought in III men as
prisoners.
IL was a feat which was told
around the world Nations marvel
ed AZ the cool nerve, and the bravery
OF the men.
Marshal Petain commander Of
the French armies Of the east deo-
GRATED Oklahombi with the croix de
Il guerre. and cited his bravery in his
orders. Gen. Pershing cited Okla
hombi for gallantry in action
But when the war was ended and
Oklahomhi was sent back 20 the
u United States ne was again merely a
small part OF a great machine
Dance I'm His Honor.
10 was characteristic Of Oklahom-
bi--bejuE an Indian-that ne should
say nothing Of his exploits Upon
81 hts discharge he was sent back 10