The Kevin review., 1926-09-23
INDIAN STUDIES
STATES HISTORY
WHITE EAGLE is VISITOR AT
HISTORICAL LIBRARY
AT HELENA
Sioux, Born in Oklahoma, is Totally
Deaf and Dumb; Now Travels for
Custer Battlefield Highway Asso-
citation; Rides Horseback


Montana's historical library at
Helena has many visitors each day
who find much to interest them
among the records kept within it's
walls. Sonne of these visitors are
persons of high distinction, some
are tourists passing a leisure hOHr
before resuming the journey.
Unique characters from far and
near leave their signatures in the
huge visitors register to bear wit
ness to their passing. A few days
ago White Eagle, a Sioux Indian
from Gillette, Wyo., was observed
pouring over several large vol
umes of the history of the Vigil
lante days of Montana.
Although totally deaf and dumb
White Eagle has a cheerful demean-
or and friendly smile. He carries
credentials showing that he is con-
nected with the Custer Battlefield
Hiway association of Mitchell, S. D.,
and is at present on a horseback
trip which began at Gillette, Wyo.,
and will end at Seattle, in the inter
ests of his employers.
White Eagle willingly discussed,
by means of rapid and sprightly
paper-and-pencil conversation his
work and aspirations and gave many
interesting details of his career.
Born in Oklahoma
He was born in Oklahoma, AZ
years ago, his mother being Greek
Indian, and his father of the Ogalala
Sioux. He received his primary ed
ucation in the common schools of
the state, and has supported him
self since his fourteenth year. He
has travelled with wild west shows,
and for four years was a stage driver
in Wyoming. According to his own |
statement his education came al
most wholly from association with |
educated people and from experience
and observation" For many years
he rode the range" as cowboy.
Since 1912, White Eagle has turn
ed his attention to writing and has
produced many poems of Indian life
as well as short stories and articles.
Many of the poems are semi-humor
OuS in character and show the influ-
ence of the writer's white associa-
lions. "The Indian Maid Up-To-
Date" tells of the old chief who
comes bedecked in bead-work and
feathers to WOO her, that his day is
gone and that the scalping knife
hanging at his side in it's moose
lide sheath makes no hit with her,
'ather the contrary. She asks:
what can you do, old man, now.
Read and write, fight much, or
,Iow?" II
The closing lines indicate that the
modern Indian girl prefers her suit /
RS in up-to-date garments rather
han aboriginal finery.
"Your friend, true, but lover, no /
So roll your blanket and CO."
White Eagle, although he has
orne for many years his double af b
fiction Che was born with normal q
aculties), does not appear to CON l
ider himself handicapped in the bat e
e of life, but meets his problems
s they come with courage and cheer q
illness. ie
During the last six years he has G
lade- several long trips for the Gus :,
sr Battlefield Hiway association. Sc n
eral years ago while on a trip from p
illette to Seattle he and his horse y
Red Bird" were given a medal for L
orsemanship by the Hardin chamber Ia
commerce. On this trip he is ei
ding "Bonnets" splendid 10-year-
d horse given to him by Senator
ohn B. Kendrick, of Wyoming
Bonnets'' according to his owner, is m
he best among 200 head
! Senator Hendricks o. w. ranch,
miles from Sheridan, Wyo.," The ~
der has covered the first III miles th
the present journey in one day
Id Is hours. He left Helena for ~
issoula and after few days there W
i'll proceed on his route by way of N
md Point, Idaho, and Spokane. ye
ash, stopping at many smaller We
ints before he reaches his destin- ar
ion. He is dressed in the usual ia
RIB of the cowboy and secures pro- he
5ions for his horse and lodging for te
mself with no more difficulty than he
'uld be encountered by the ordin- th IN
y traveller. tn