The New York herald., 1921-05-01
Curley the Scout.
Story Of the Crow Indian Who Did
Not Die With General Custer.

To THE NEW YORK HERALD: Your ref
erence to Curley, the Custer scout re-
calls my meeting with him.
spent 1895 and 1897 In Montana, iv-
ing most Of the time across the North
ern Pacific Railroad track from Curley's
tepee. Curley became my bosom COM
panion. He was with me when ! killed
my first antelope and I watched him
kill tho first bear / had ever seen wild.
He almost boiled me to death In a sweat
bath. and I saw him stoically shoot off
his left thumb after it had been bitten
by rattlesnake. Also like to feel
taught him how to write his name. At
least 1 prize this writing made after
much repeated effort, as do one Of the
few photographs Of him in existence.
He was a silent fellow when It came
to talking about the Custer fight and It
was only after he had become convinced
he knew you we'll that he would discuss
It, This was not due so much to mod
esty as to a feeling that many thought
him a coward and that he should have
died at Clusters side. In fact the Crow
tribe all felt that way about Curley
and he was ostracized by his Indian
brothers. He never went to the Crow
agency on regular ration day. choosing
a later time when none of his fellow
tribesmen would be about And SINH
larly did he live alone at Sanders with
his family. separated from the rest Of the
Crows and speaking to none. except he
was first addressed.
II may be that Curley saw Custer
killed, but he never spun that yarn to
me. Rather he used to say that Custer
placed too much credence In the host OF
white scouts he had with him and little
in the few Crow spies he had employed.
Curley was ono Of the latter and he ex-
planned that the night before the nassa-
ere he was sent out, along with Flanna-
gan and Ave others, to ascertain how
many Sioux there were In the prospec-
tive attacking party.
Curley insisted he made the proper in
quiry but that the others, confident OF
Clusters strength and fighting prowess,
had a few drinks, played a game OF
poker and returned to Custer to report
all was well and that the battle wouldn't
last long. Curley declared he informed
Custer Sitting Bull was massing 10000
Sioux but that Custer merely smiled at
him, and that II was only after he had
urged and urged him that he consented
Curley should hasten to Reno and direct
him to be ready IL the occasion required
his presence.
When he got back the battle massacre
was well on. Curley avowed he noticed
the combat was hopeless and that he ad-
vised Custer he would ride to Fort
Keogh. at Rosebud, eighty miles away,
where additional reenforcements might
possibly be secured. This he did and
this is what the Crows term 'Curley's
cowardice." as II permitted his escape
and brought no help to Custer.
He never said 70 me he saw Custer
killed, which, of course, does not mean
he told me the true story. but the nature
of the tale. carrying its inference of self
protection. might indicate truth. do
know Curley was ashamed of something.
I do know he repeatedly refused Buffalo
Bilrs offer of 800 week to travel with
his circus. Just as I know he was a
fine, set UP Indian, clean in mind ana
morals. who loved his family.
HARVEY THOMAS.
NEWARK, N. J., April 80.