American Horse American Horse ( Oglala Lakota : " Wašíčuŋ Tȟašúŋke " in Standard Lakota Orthography ) ( a / k / a " American Horse the Younger " ) ( 1840 – December 16 , 1908 ) was an Oglala Lakota chief , statesman , educator and historian . American Horse is notable in American history as a U . S . Army Indian Scout and a progressive Oglala Lakota leader who promoted friendly associations with whites and education for his people . American Horse opposed Crazy Horse during the Great Sioux War of 1876 - 1877 and the Ghost Dance Movement of 1890 , and was a Lakota delegate to Washington . American Horse was one of the first Wild Westers with Buffalo Bill ’ s Wild West and a supporter of the Carlisle Indian Industrial School . “ His record as a councillor of his people and his policy in the new situation that confronted them was manly and consistent and he was known for his eloquence . " Early life . American Horse was first known as Manishnee ( Can not walk , or Played out ) ” and his nickname was Spider . When he was born , his old grandfather said : ' Put him out in the sun ! Let him ask his great - grandfather , the Sun , for the warm blood of a warrior ! ' And he had warm blood . " His father Sitting - Bear , the leader of the True Oglalas , was killed in battle while he was still very young and he was raised by an uncle . As a youth , American Horse participated in war parties against the Crow and Shoshones . American Horse was about ten years old when he was attacked by three Crow warriors , while driving a herd of ponies to water . Here he displayed native cunning and initiative . It seemed he had scarcely a chance to escape , for the enemy was near . He yelled frantically at the ponies to start them toward home , while he dropped off into a thicket of willows and hid there . A part of the herd was caught in sight of the camp and there was a counter chase , but the Crows got away with the ponies . Of course , his mother was frantic , believing her boy had been killed or captured . But after the excitement was over , he appeared in camp unhurt . When questioned about his escape , he remarked : " I knew they would not take the time to hunt for small game when there was so much bigger close by . " One day a small party of Shoshones was discovered near at hand . In the midst of the excitement and preparations for the attack , young American Horse caught sight of a close by , fat , black - tail deer . Unable to resist the temptation , he pulled an arrow from his quiver and sent it through the deer ’ s heart . Then with several of his half - starved companions , sprang upon the yet quivering body of the animal to cut out the liver which was sometimes eaten raw . One of the men was allegedly knocked down by the last kick of the dying buck , but the warriors swallowed a few mouthfuls liver before rushing upon and routing their enemies . It is still told of how American Horse killed game and feasted between the ambush and the attack . U . S . Army Indian Scout . In the early 1870s , American Horse moved to the Red Cloud Agency . He allied himself with the Wagluhe people at Fort Robinson and became a son - in - law to Chief Red Cloud . American Horse soon enlisted as a U . S . Army Indian Scout , and the military made much use of him keeping the young braves quiet and recruiting new scouts . Killing of Sioux Jim . On August 31 , 1876 , about a month after the Battle of the Little Big Horn , American Horse shot and killed Jim Sioux . Colonel Ranald S . Mackenzie , who had just arrived at Camp Robinson , received word that Sioux Jim was in the Wagluhe or Loafer village , led by Chief Blue Horse . Early that morning , Major Gordan led four companies of cavalry to the village , said to number about 50 lodges near the agency , to arrest Sioux Jim . Sioux Jim could not be found , but Gordan did capture Sioux Jim ' s wife and one of his sons , and they were taken back to Camp Robinson and placed in the guardhouse . Chief Blue Horse was arrested for a short time for not following Mackenzie ’ s order to report northern “ hostile ” Indians slipping into his Waghule village . “ Shortly after the troops left , Sioux Jim came back to the village where American Horse attempted to arrest him . In the process , American Horse shot and killed Sioux Jim . The date of Sioux Jim ' s death is from Mackenzie ' s reports to General Crook and General Sheridan , both dated Sept . 2 , 1876 . ” Adoption of the name American Horse . There are two Oglala Lakota chiefs named American Horse notable in American history . Historian George E . Hyde distinguished them by referring to “ Chief American Horse the Elder ” as the son of Old Chief Smoke and the cousin of Red Cloud , and “ Chief American Horse the Younger ” as the son of Sitting Bear , and son - in - law to Red Cloud . Chief American Horse the Elder ( Wašíčuŋ Tȟašúŋke ) ( 1830 - September 9 , 1876 ) is renown as a great warrior for his leadership , Spartan courage and honor . American Horse the Elder is notable in American history as one of the principal war chiefs allied with Crazy Horse during Red Cloud ' s War and the Battle of the Little Bighorn during the Great Sioux War of 1876 - 1877 . Chief American Horse the Elder was a son of Old Chief Smoke , an Oglala Lakota head chief and one of the last great Shirt Wearers , " " Ogle Tanka Un " " , a highly prestigious Lakota " chief warrior " society . He was a signatory to the Fort Laramie Treaty of 1868 , along with Chief Red Cloud and Chief Blue Horse , his brothers . A month or so after the Treaty of 1868 , American Horse the Elder was chosen a Shirt Wearer along with Crazy Horse , Young - Man - Afraid - of - His - Horses and Man That Owns a Sword . On September 9 , 1876 , American Horse the Elder was mortally wounded in the Battle of Slim Buttes fighting to protect his family and defending against the white invasion of the " “ Paha Sapa “ " Black Hills . American Horse the Younger gained influence during the turbulence of the Great Sioux War of 1876 - 1877 . After news of the death of Chief American Horse the Elder at the Battle of Slim Buttes , Manishnee ( Can not walk , or Played out ) ” seized an opportunity and assumed the name “ American Horse . ” American Horse the Younger was not related to American Horse the Elder , son of Old Chief Smoke . He was the son of Sitting Bear , leader of the True Oglalas , a band of Oglala opposed to the Smoke people In 1890 , American Horse the Younger told Charles A . Eastman that he succeeded to the name and position of his uncle American Horse the Elder who was killed at Sim Buttes in 1876 . Later , American Horse the Younger claimed that American Horse the Elder was not killed at Slim Buttes , but rather a minor chief Iron Plume or Iron Shield . He also claimed that he personally killed Captain William J . Fetterman with his war club in the Fetterman Fight during Red Cloud ’ s War . As a result , the identities and accounts of American Horse the Elder and the American Horse the Younger have been blended by some historians . Like his great friend Crazy Horse , there are no known photographs or drawings of Chief American Horse the Elder . “ The Oglalas seem incapable of clearing up the tangle . ” Arrest of Crazy Horse . On May 6 , 1877 , Crazy Horse surrendered at Fort Robinson . For the next four months , Crazy Horse resided in his village near the Red Cloud Agency . American Horse and other Oglala leaders believed that Crazy Horse was a threat to order , and he made it fairly plain that he hated the whites and he intended to attempt to return to his old wild life in the north at the first opportunity . Worried that further resistance would compromise peace negotiations to be held in Washington , D . C . , Oglala leaders discussed how to “ quiet ” Crazy Horse and “ bring him into a better state of feeling . ” But Crazy Horse refused to meet with them . Rumors of Crazy Horse ' s desire to slip away and return to the old ways of life started to spread at the Red Cloud and Spotted Tail agencies . Hearing that affairs at Red Cloud were nearing a crisis , Gen . Crook hurried to Fort Robinson . Crook believed that a personal interview with Crazy Horse would smooth the situation , and started for Crazy Horse ’ s camp . However , he was stopped by Woman ’ s Dress who bore a message from the agency chiefs warning Crook that that Crazy Horse had stated his intention to kill him in the coming council if the general did not meet his demands . Crook was convinced that Crazy Horse meant what he said , and returned to Camp Robinson sending out a message for the chiefs to come there for the council . Crazy Horse ignored the summons . The chiefs told Gen . Crook that they did not approve of Crazy Horse ’ s conduct and were ready to follow the general ’ s lead . He told them they should prove their loyalty by arresting Crazy Horse . They then consulted and informed Crook that they were willing to act , but that Crazy Horse was a desperate man and some thought it would be better to kill him . Crook demurred , and said it would be murder . An agreement was finally reached whereby American Horse , Red Cloud , Little Wound , Young Man Afraid of His Horse agreed to march with the soldiers with orders to arrest Crazy Horse . On the morning of September 4 , 1877 , eight companies of the Third Cavalry and four hundred friendly Indians moved against Crazy Horse ' s village , only to find that it had scattered during the night . Crazy Horse had almost escaped alone , but soon turned to the nearby Spotted Tail Agency with his sick wife where he was arrested by agency Indians . On the morning of September 5 , 1877 , Crazy Horse and Lieutenant Jesse M . Lee , the Indian agent at Spotted Tail , departed for Fort Robinson . Arriving that evening , Lieutenant Lee was informed that he was to turn Crazy Horse over to Captain James Kennington , who accompanied Crazy Horse to the post guardhouse . Once inside , Crazy Horse struggled with the guard and Little Big Man and attempted to escape . Just outside the door , Crazy Horse was stabbed with a bayonet by one of the members of the guard . He was taken to the adjutant ' s office , where he was tended by the assistant post surgeon at the post , Dr . Valentine McGillycuddy , and died late that night . The Wagluhe . The Wagluhe Band is one of the seven bands of the Oglala Lakota . The Wagluhe Band is also known as the Loafer Band . The seven Bands of the Oglala Lakota are the Wagluhe ( Loafers ) , Ite Sica ( Bad Face ) , Oyukpe ( Broken Off ) , Wazaza ( Shred Into Strips ) , Tapisleca ( Split Liver ) , Payabaya ( Shove Aside ) and Kiyaksa ( Little Wound ) . Old Chief Smoke was an Oglala Lakota head chief and one of the last great Shirt Wearers , a highly prestigious Lakota warrior society . The Smoke People were one of the most prominent Lakota families of the 18th and 19th centuries . Old Chief Smoke was one of the first Lakota chiefs to appreciate the power of the whites and the need for association . In 1849 , Old Chief Smoke moved his Wagluhe camp to Ft . Laramie , Wyoming when the U . S . Army first garrisoned the old trading post to protect and supply wagon trains of white migrants along the Oregon Trail . Lakota families from other camps who preferred the safety of Ft . Laramie joined Smoke ’ s camp . Old Chief Smoke was aware of the power of the whites , their overwhelming numbers and the futility of war . Old Chief Smoke observed and learned the customs of the whites . By the late 1850s , some Lakota from the wild buffalo - hunting camps began to disparage Old Chief Smoke ’ s camp at Ft . Laramie and call Old Chief Smoke ’ s community Wagluhe ( Loafers ) , meaning they were like men who lived with their wives ’ relatives , that is , hangers - on , loafers . On the other hand , some Wagluhe thought of the Lakota in the wilds as county bumpkins . During the increasing strife of the 1860s , the Ft . Laramie took on a military posture and was the primary staging ground for the U . S . Army during Red Cloud ’ s War . In 1864 , Old Chief Smoke died and was placed on a scaffold near sight of his Ft . Laramie and replaced by Chief Big Mouth . The Wagluhe were aware of the power of the whites , their overwhelming numbers and the futility of war . Traditionally , in intertribal warfare , a fight among fifty warriors in which two men were killed was considered a big fight . The Wagluhe at Ft . Laramie heard of the 50 , 000 casualties of the three - day Battle at Gettysburg in July 1863 , and knew what white men meant when they spoke of battle . The Wagluhe observed and learned the customs of the whites . Wagluhe were considered by the U . S . Army and Indian agents to be the most progressive band of Lakota and many became Indian Police , U . S . Army Indian Scouts with the U . S . 4th Cavalry Regiment and intermediaries with other bands of Lakotas . The Wagluhe formed a civil administration at Ft . Laramie and Old Chief Smoke appointed Chief Blue Horse and Chief Big Mouth the first Indian Police officers . The U . S . Army concluded that , even if there were doubts about their reliability , the Wagluhe ’ s role as scouts , civil administrators and mediators was absolutely essential . The Wagluhe were the first Oglala Lakota to send their children to the Carlisle Indian Industrial School in Carlisle , Pennsylvania , for a formal education , and the first to go Wild Westing with Col . " Buffalo Bill " Cody and his Wild West . After the Battle of the Little Big Horn , and the arrest of Blue Horse , American Horse became the spokesman and leader of the progressive faction at Red Cloud agency and advocated cooperation in reform programs . American Horse was influential and energetic in the cause of the government . As American Horse emerged a leader , the Wagluhe split into three bands . Blue Horse remained head chief of one band , and American Horse and Three Bears led the other two . Red Shirt was also a popular leader and served as Three Bears ’ lieutenant . These leaders had much in common . Blue Horse , American Horse , Three Bears and Red Shirt all served as U . S . Army Indian Scouts with U . S . 4th Cavalry Regiment ; were first Oglala Lakota to send their children to the Carlisle Indian Industrial School in Carlisle , Pennsylvania , for a formal education ; all led Lakota delegations to Washington , D . C . ; and went Wild Westing with Buffalo Bill ’ s Wild West . Peace conferences in Washington . Chief American Horse was a delegate to many peace conferences in Washington . During the tumultuous times from 1865 to 1877 , American Horse advocated yielding to the government at any cost , being no doubt convinced of the uselessness of resistance . This quelled the people for the time being and up to the killing of Crazy Horse . In the crisis precipitated by this event , American Horse was again influential and energetic in the cause of the government . From this time on he became an active participant in the affairs of the Teton Sioux . He was always noted for his eloquence , which was nearly always conciliatory , yet he could say very sharp things of the duplicity of the whites . He had much ease of manner and was a master of repartee . I recall his saying that ” if you have got to wear golden slippers to enter the white man ’ s heaven no Indian will ever get there , as the whites have got the Black Hills and with them all the gold . ” “ His record as a councilor of his people and his policy in the new situation that confronted them was manly and consistent . ” Wild Westing . Wild Westing was very popular with the Lakota people and beneficial to their families and communities , and offered a path of opportunity and hope during time when people believed Native Americans were a vanishing race whose only hope for survival was rapid cultural transformation . Between 1887 and World War I , over 1 , 000 Native Americans went “ Wild Westing ” with Buffalo Bill ’ s Wild West . Most Wild Westers were Oglala Lakota from Pine Ridge , South Dakota , the first Lakota people to go Wild Westing . During a time when the Bureau of Indian Affairs was intent on promoting Native assimilation , Col . Buffalo Bill Cody used his influence with U . S . government officials to secure Native American performers for his Wild West . In 1886 , American Horse replaced Sitting Bull as the Indian headliner for the 1886 - 87 seasons . A journalist asked American Horse what he thought of the East and he replied , ” I see so much that is wonderful and strange that I feel a wish to go out in the forest and cover my head with a blanket , so that I can see no more and have a chance to think over what I have seen . ” On March 31 , 1887 , Chief American Horse , Chief Blue Horse and Chief Red Shirt and their families boarded the " S . S . State of Nebraska " in New York City , leading a new journey for the Lakota people when they crossed the sea to England on Buffalo Bill ’ s first international to perform at the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria and tour through Birmingham , Salford and London over a five – month period . The entourage consisted of 97 Indians , 18 buffaloes , 2 deer , 10 elk , 10 mules , 5 Texas steers , 4 donkeys , and 108 horses . Buffalo Bill treated Native American employees as equals with white cowboys . Wild Westers received good wages , transportation , housing , abundant food and gifts of clothing and cash from Buffalo Bill at the end of each season . Wild Westers were employed as performers , interpreters and recruiters . Men had money in their pockets and for their families on the reservation . Female performers were paid extra for infants and children and supplemented wages by making and selling Lakota crafts . Shows hired venerable elder male Indians to appear in the parades to ensure that young men acted with consideration and politeness when visiting host communities , and rules were self - policed by traditional Oglala Lakota chiefs and former U . S . Army Indian Scouts . Known as “ Show Indians ” , Oglala Wild Westers referred to themselves as " Oskate Wicasa " or " Show Man " , a title of great honor and respect . Since 1887 , Wild Westing has been family tradition with several hundred Pine Ridge families , and the tradition of the Wild Wester community is not unlike the tradition of circus families and communities . American Horse ’ s sons Ben American Horse and Samuel American Horse were Carlisle Wild Westers and interpreters . Carlisle Indian Industrial School . History . The Carlisle Indian Industrial School in Carlisle , Pennsylvania , was the model Indian boarding school in the United States from 1879 through 1918 . Carlisle was the first Indian boarding school located far from the reservation , in an Eastern environment free of the West ’ s anti - Indian prejudices and free from the influences of native cultures . Carlisle offered a path of opportunity and hope at a time when people believed Native Americans were a vanishing race whose only hope for survival was rapid cultural transformation . Carlisle was founded on principle that Native Americans are the equals of whites and that Native American children immersed in white culture would learn skills to advance in society . Through the years , Carlisle evolved from an industrial trade school to a preparatory school with unique endowments and faculty . Attending Carlisle is considered by many Native Americans like going to Harvard , Yale or Oxford , and the family tradition of Carlisle alumni as “ Harvard style ” is one of pride and stories of opportunity and success . Carlisle was a unique school and produced a new generation of Native American leadership . Captain Pratt and American Horse . American Horse was one of the earliest advocates of education for the Indian , and his son Samuel and nephew Robert were among the first students at Carlisle . While recruiting at Pine Ridge , Captain Richard Henry Pratt met heavy opposition from Red Cloud who was distrustful of white education , and who had no school age children . But Pratt couldn ’ t help noticing that American Horse “ took a lively interest ” in what he had to say . American Horse had grown into an influential tribal politician and was the head of a large household with two wives and at least ten children . He had become a sophisticated man who adroitly negotiated his way between the traditional Lakota society and the new white society encircling him . He had become a shrewd politician and his friendliness with whites was a calculation to win concessions for himself and his people . Above all , American Horse prided himself in his sagacity , It was glaring apparent to him that his offspring would have to deal with whites , and perhaps even live with them , whether they liked it or not . American Horse agreed to send two sons and a daughter for first class : Ben American Horse , Samuel American Horse and Maggie Stands Looking . Charles A . Eastman recalled , “ His daughters were the handsomest Indian girls of full blood that I ever saw . ” Maggie Stands Looking . Maggie Stands Looking was one of Captain Pratt ’ s model students . Maggie dictated this letter to an interpreter for publication : " Carlisle Barracks , PA , Jan . 24 , 1881 . My dear father : AMERICAN HORSE : - I want to tell you something , and it makes me feel very glad . You tell me that my brother is married and that makes me feel very glad . My cousins , and brothers , and I are all very well , at this Carlisle School . We would like to see you again . I am always happy here , but lately I sometimes feel bad , because you tell me that my grandfather is getting very old . Tell me how my brothers are . I would like to see my brother ' s wife ' s picture . Tell my brother Two - Dogs to write to me again . Miss Hyde ' s father died two weeks ago , and I am very sorry . I remember all of my friends . If you don ' t answer my letter soon , I ' ll feel bad . I don ' t always answer your letter soon , but it is because I can not write . As soon as I get so that I can write myself , I will write as often as I can . Tell Brave Bull that Dora ( Her Pipe ) has been a little sick , but is most well now . Tell if my grandfather is well . If he gets sick tell me . You wrote to my cousin Robert and told him that you had a house to live in , and lots of pigs and cows and such things , and I was very glad . You ' ve got a white man ' s house to live in now and I am anxious to learn all that I can , so that I can come home by and by and live with you . I hear that they have a big school out there and it makes me very glad . If you can , come again , and tell me if you can come again , when . I want to tell you that some more girls and boys came here . Twenty - five . Fifteen of them are girls . There are a great many of us here now , and Capt . Pratt is very kind to us . That is all I want to say now . Give my love to all of my friends . Your daughter , Maggie Stands - Looking . " Maggie Stands Looking was among the first wave of children brought from Rosebud . According to Pratt in his book , " Battlefield and Classroom , " Maggie had difficulty adjusting to the demands of her new lifestyle at Carlisle . She once slapped Miss Hyde , the matron , when Hyde insisted that Maggie make her bed every day and keep her room clean . Instead of retaliating , Miss Hyde stood her ground and Maggie acquiesced . Like most of the Carlisle students , Maggie was enrolled in the Outing Program . Instead of returning the Indian children to their families during the summer months , the detribalizing process was continued by placing them for hire with non Indian families . After her arrival to her country home , Maggie wrote this letter to the Superintendent : " Dear Captain Pratt : What shall I do ? I have been here two weeks and I have not bathe . These folks have no bath place . Your school daughter , MAGGIE STANDS LOOKING " Pratt advised her to do as he had done on the frontier . . . [ after ] filling a wash basin with water and " rubbing myself well , have had a bath that made me feel as good as jumping into a river . " He signed his letter - " Your friend and school father , " R . H . Pratt . Carlisle Wild Westers . Like Ben American Horse and Samuel American Horse , many Oglala Lakota Wild Westers from Pine Ridge Reservation , South Dakota attended Carlisle . Carlisle Wild Westers were attracted by the adventure , pay and opportunity and were hired as performers , chaperons , interpreters and recruiters . Wild Westers from Pine Ridge enrolled their children at the Carlisle Indian Industrial School from its beginning in 1879 until its closure in 1918 . In 1879 , Oglala Lakota leaders Chief Blue Horse , Chief American Horse and Chief Red Shirt enrolled their children in the first class at Carlisle . They wanted their children to learn English , trade skills and white customs . " Those first Sioux children who came to Carlisle could not have been happy there . But it was their only chance for a future . " Luther Standing Bear was taught to be brave and unafraid to die , and left the reservation to attend Carlisle and do some brave deed to bring honor to his family . Standing Bear ’ s father celebrated his son ’ s brave act by inviting his friends to a gathering and gave away seven horses and all the goods in his dry goods store . Opposed Ghost Dancers . “ It was during the last struggle of his people , at the time of the Messiah craze in 1890 - 1891 that American Horse demonstrated as never before the real greatness of the man . While many of his friends were carried away by the new thought , he held aloof from it and cautioned his band to do the same . When it developed into an extensive upheaval among the nations he took his positive stand against it . Presently all Indians who did not dance the Ghost Dance were ordered to come into camp at Pine Ridge Agency . American Horse was the first to bring in his people . I was there at the time and talked with him daily . When Little was arrested , it had been agreed among the disaffected to have him resist , which meant that he would be roughly handled . This was to be their excuse to attack the Indian police , which would probably lead to a general massacre or outbreak . I know that this desperate move was opposed from the beginning by American Horse , and it was believed that his life was threatened . ” “ On the day of the " Big Issue " , when thousands of Indians were gathered at the agency , this man Little , who had been in hiding , walked boldly among them . Of course the police would arrest him at sight , and he was led toward the guardhouse . He struggled with them , but was overpowered . A crowd of warriors rushed to his rescue , and there was confusion and a general shout of " Hurry up with them ! Kill them all ! " I saw American Horse walk out of the agent ' s office and calmly face the excited mob . " What are you going to do ? " he asked . " Stop , men , stop and think before you act ! Will you murder your children , your women , yes , destroy your nation to - day ? " He stood before them like a statue and the men who held the two policemen helpless paused for an instant . He went on : " You are brave today because you outnumber the white men , but what will you do tomorrow ? There are railroads on all sides of you . The soldiers will pour in from every direction by thousands and surround you . You have little food or ammunition . It will be the end of your people . Stop , I say , stop now ! " Jack Red Cloud , son of the old chief rushed up to him and thrust a revolver almost in his face . " It is you and men like you , " he shouted , " who have reduced our race to slavery and starvation ! " American Horse did not flinch but deliberately reentered the office , followed by Jack still flourishing the pistol . But his timely appearance and eloquence had saved the day . Others of the police force had time to reach the spot , and with a large crowd of friendly Indians had taken command of the situation . When I went into the office I found him alone but apparently quite calm . " Where are the agent and the clerks ? " I asked . " They fled by the back door , " he replied , smiling . " I think they are in the cellar . These fools outside had almost caught us asleep , but I think it is over now . " First Inaugural Parade of Theodore Roosevelt 1905 . On March 4 , 1905 , Wild Westers and Carlisle portrayed contrasting images of Native Americans at the First Inaugural Parade of Theodore Roosevelt . Six famous Native American Chiefs , Geronimo ( Apache ) , Quanah Parker ( Comanche ) , Buckskin Charlie ( Ute ) , American Horse ( Sioux ) , Hollow Horn Bear ( Sioux ) and Little Plume ( Blackfeet ) , met in Carlisle , Pennsylvania , to rehearse the parade with the Carlisle Cadets and Band . Theodore Roosevelt sat in the presidential box with his wife , daughter and other distinguished guests , and watched West Point cadets and the famed 7th Cavalry , Gen . George A . Custer ’ s former unit that fought at the Battle of Little Bighorn , march down Pennsylvania Avenue . When the contingent of Wild Westers and the Carlisle Cadets and Band came into view , President Roosevelt vigorously waived his hat and all in the President ’ s box rose to their feet to behold the powerful imagery of the six famous Native American Chiefs on horseback adorned with face paint and elaborate feather headdresses , followed by the 46 - piece Carlisle Indian School Band and a brigade of 350 Carlisle Cadets at arms . Leading the group was Geronimo , in full Apache regalia including war paint , sitting astride his horse , also in war paint , in the center of the street . It was reported that : “ The Chiefs created a sensation , eclipsing the intended symbolism of a formation of 350 uniformed Carlisle students led by a marching band , ” and “ all eyes were on the six chiefs , the cadets received passing mention in the newspapers and nobody bothered to photograph them . ” Major Israel McCreight . Chief American Horse was always welcome guest at The Wigwam , Major Israel McCreight ’ s home in Du Bois , Pennsylvania . The Wigwam was a retreat for Progressive Era politicians , businessmen , journalists and adventurers ; the Eastern home of Oglala Lakota " Oskate Wicasa " ; Chief Flying Hawk ’ s second home for 30 years and a Native American heritage center . Du Bois , a northcentral railroad hub on the Eastern Continental Divide , was always a welcome rest stop for weary travelers . Wild Westers needed a place to relax , and The Wigwam was a warm and welcome home where Indians could be Indians , sleep in buffalo skins and tipis , walk in the woods , have a hearty breakfast , smoke their pipes and tell of their stories and deeds . On one occasion 150 Indians with Buffalo Bill ’ s Wild West camped in the forests of The Wigwam . Chiefs American Horse , Blue Horse , Jim Grass , Whirlwind Horse , Turkey Legs , Lone Bear , Iron Cloud , Bear Dog , Yellow Boy , Rain - In - The - Face , Hollow Horn Bear , Kills - Close - To - Lodge , Red Eagle , Good Face ( Eta Waste ) , Benjamin Brave ( Ohitika ) and Thunder Bull visited The Wigwam . Legendary Crow Chiefs Plenty Coups and Crow Dog were also welcome visitors . On June 22 , 1908 , McCreight was adopted as an honorary Chief of the Oglala Lakota people and named “ Cante Tanke ( " Great Heart " ) . On that occasion , Col . William " Buffalo Bill " Cody was in Du Bois , Pennsylvania , with Wild West Congress of Rough Riders . Twelve thousand people a day attended Cody ’ s Wild West performances and 150 Oglalas were in town with 150 ponies . The ceremony was performed by Chief Iron Tail assembled at Buffalo Bill ’ s tent and attended by Chief American Horse , Chief Lone Bear , Chief Whirlwind Horse , and 100 Oglala Lakota Wild Westers . American Horse winter count . Chief American Horse was a Lakota historian and authored a “ winter count ” he kept on a piece of cloth covering over one hundred years of Lakota history , 1775 - 1878 . Lakota years are conceived as extending from the first snow of a winter to the first snow of the next winter . Years are given names based upon significant or unique event that would be easy to recall . For example , Chief Flying Hawk ’ s Winter Count for 1866 records the Fetterman Incident during Red Cloud ’ s War as “ Wasicu opawinge wica ktepi ” or “ They killed one hundred white men . ” Likewise , 1876 is “ Marpiya llute sunkipi ” or “ They took horses from Red Cloud ” ( the U . S . Army did after the Battle of the Little Big Horn ) , 1877 is “ Tasunka witko ktepi ” or “ When they killed Crazy Horse ” and 1890 is “ Si - tanka ktepi ” or “ When the killed Big Foot ” ( the Wounded Knee Massacre ) . In 1879 , American Horse drew the winter count in a sketchbook at the request of William H . Corbusier , an Army surgeon . Corbusier sent it to the Smithsonian together with an explanation of the years provided by the keeper . American Horse said that the winter count had been kept in his family for generations , passed down from his grandfather , to his father , to him . American Horse was born in the year they stole many horses from the Flatheads , or 1840 - 41 . His death is marked in the No Ears calendar for the year 1908 - 09 . Final years . Chief American Horse died from natural causes in his house near Kyle , Pine Ridge , South Dakota on December 16 , 1908 .