It Was A Sad Day For His People!
Chief Greywolf led his people, those not slaughtered by the U.S. Calvary, three days ago across the
North Dakota plains slowly. What was left of his people consisted of fourteen braves, thirty-one women,
eight elders, and 11 babies. The women weeped, arms held up to the skies wailing as the sun rose higher.
Though they cried, their tears had long since gone dry. There was no hint of danger that morning as all but
a few were still asleep. Those standing guard were the first to die as the soldier's rifles were drowned out
by the roar of cannons.
The sounds of death whistled through the air, taking the lives of men, women and children. So many were
killed, and still they fired upon us. We were not fighting the pony soldier's. Our hands were held high into
the air, as other's waved the white flag of surrender. As women ran to grab terrified babies running or
wandering in a daze, splattered with blood, or dirt, their mother's fell to the ground, dying. Even when they
lay motionless on the ground, they were shot. Greywolf was our leader, the father of his people and as
everyone searched for him with their eyes, he waved for them to flee!
Tee Pee's were burning, and the smell of death was everywhere. As I looked into his saddened eyes, I saw
dispair and tears. Why were the soldier's attacking I shouted to him, over the roar of the cannon's on the hill
behind us? Chief Greywolf had met with Captain Brooks, the commander at the fort, 30 miles to the east,
three moons ago. He agreed to give up the lands that have been ours for as far back as the stories have been
told. We were to arrive at a reservation under the protection of the U.S. calvary. We had no rifles, only the
bow, tomahawk and knife. We wanted to leave in peace.
In the midst of all the smoke and anguished screams, Chief Greywolf stood alone as bullets wizzed all around
him and at his feet. His people were dying, just as the tatonka had, for sport by the white man! He waved his
hand over his head, signalling to all who could run, to gather the horses. There was no time to gather food,
clothing or blankets. Those without horses, ran beside us, then behind us, and so many fell to the ground, never
to get back up. Those of us who caught frantic horses, brought them to us as the chief spoke. "Go my people,
to the forked river and wait for your brother's and sister's. Take with you your brothers and sisters. Ride like
the wind and do not look back. May the great spirit guide and protect you"!
Suddenly he motioned for all of us to flee, and the sounds of rifle and cannon grew fainter and fainter, till there
was only silence! All those who had escaped were to wait by the river for two days. If no other's arrived, they
were to leave like leaves in the four winds. Our group was the only one's to make it to the river. Two moons
we waited. We knew the pony soldier's had tracked the rest of those who had escaped. With a heavy heart
greywolf held council as we gathered around him with empty stomach's! The chief spoke slowly, searching for
the words he would speak.
"My heart is heavy, like yours. We are not safe here. The white man has shown that his word cannot be trusted.
We must leave this land and join other nations. I will lead you away from death. Help each other, be strong",
and he raised both hands to the great spirit as everyone prayed.
© 2003 Raymond Cook (All rights reserved)
I Saw The Great Chief Only Once!
In the autumn of 1891, the great Chief Grey Wolf rode near, his people and their horses weary. Behind
him were nearly twenty braves, women and children, many on foot. Their horses were thirsty from their
long journey across the mountains. I did not know his language but I knew what they needed.
The summer sun had been good to my garden, and there was plenty to spare I welcomed him and his people,
that much he understood. One by one they brought their horses to the water trough. Just like their horses,
his people were parched with thirst. None would drink though, until the chief and his wife had drank
There were no smiles in their eyes, no laughter in their hearts. I brought out what blankets I could spare, and
I laid them before the chief. They would need them when the cold north winds blew across the plains. I
brought baskets of food for them toofor I saw they had nothing. Not just fresh garden vegetables, but also
flower, salt, sugar, and a huge cooking pot.
The pot would feed many, and I returned with as many bowls and plates as I could There were tears in the
great chief's eyes for few white men showed kindness. Many rancher's simply fired shots at them blind to the
plight of the indian. I pointed to a large milk cow and waved my hand, for them to take it. He shook his head
no, and his words though spoken in his tongue, were understood.
But I insisted and returned with Betsy and held out the rope to him and smiled. There were children and I
had two milk cows, I surely could spare one. I watched as his wife took hold of his arm and whispered to
him, and he listened to all she had spoken. Then his wife stepped forward and the lookin her eyes, I will
never forget. I had seen so many injustices done to other indians, I wanted to make a difference.
Chief Grey Wolf motioned to a brave; and he quickly stood before him with respect. Suddenly, the brave was
gone, but he returned and handed the chief a carving. With tears in his eyes, and wisdom from years of leading
his people he approached me. Slowly he lifted both hands holding a beautiful wood carving, and said the word
"Tatonka", the buffalo.
I accepted his gift as he turned to his people and I watched them set up camp some distance away. That
evening, I prepared a hearty meal for his people, and several of the women helped me. After they had eaten
all they could, they sang a song and chanted around the campfire. But there was no dancing, and as the night
grew late, they laid down to sleep and dream.
When morning came, I was saddened when I .stepped out of my cabin and saw they had left They must have
left in the night, yet I heard not so much as a whisper as my tears fell. Their future looked hopeless, the buffalo
herds had long since been killed off by the white men. Trying to starve them, and force them to give up their
hunting and fishing grounds and be placed on reservations.
© 2002 Raymond Cook (All rights reserved)
As I Looked Down From The Ridge!
As I look down from the ridge
a wagon train passes below
Escorted by the U.S. Calvery
as they take our lands
My people are as scattered as
the tatonka upon the plains
They are slaughtered for their
hides, leaving the meat to rot
The buffalo were once heard
thundering past our village
For three moons they thundered
past their numbers uncounted
But the buffalo, the deer and
even my people's hope is gone
We suffer and starve to death
hunted by the soldier's
Why could they not come in peace
and let us live out our days
My people are tired of running and
too weary to fight back anymore
© 2003 Raymond Cook (All rights reserved)
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