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Crazy Horse
Crazy Horse was born in 1841 and Crazy Horse was recognized among his own people as a visionary leader committed to preserving the traditions and values of the Lakota way of life.
Even as a young person, Crazy Horse was a legendary warrior. He was killed in a scuffle with soldiers who were trying to imprison him in a cell in 1877. Link Text -
Beginning of Native American Wars
During the Homestead Act Europeans moved ever greater numbers into Native American territory. In 1850 about 50,000 gold seekers traveled the Overland Trail through the heart of Lakota country, but the Lakota did not like these people crossing their land. Link text -
The Comstock Lode
Silver mining was first discovered by brothers, Ethan Allen and Hosea Ballou Grosh, but before they could even work or file the claim, both would die tragically. Henry Tompkins Paige Comstock was also working in the same area, so he took possession of their cabin after they died and went in search of their claim.Link text -
Conflict with European Settlers
After the Homestead Act Europeans moved in even greater numbers into Native American territory and the United States Army was always in war with the Sioux, Cheyenne, and Arapaho tribes. The Pawnee tribe fought these other tribes for years so the Army turned to the Pawnee for their help.Link text -
Culture of the Great Plains
Plains Indians lived in tipis, and it could easily be taken down and transported when needed. They had incredible horse-riding and archery skills, which allowed them to effectively hunt buffalo and travel across the Plains.The Plains Indians decided to adapt their way of life in order to live in these difficult conditions.Link text -
Sand Creek Massacre
The Sand Creek Massacre happened after 750 peaceful Cheyenne and Arapaho were forced to leave their campsite near Fort Lyon in southeastern Colorado.When they set up camp at Sand Creek, volunteer Colorado soldiers attacked, separating them while slaughtering 148 American Indians.Link text -
Long Drives
Cowboys drove herds of cattle, and it rounded to an average of twenty-five hundred head, overland to railheads on the northern Plains, which usually took from six weeks to two months. Over time, the westward spread of homestead settlement, expanding railroad networks, and shrinking free-range cattle herds pushed the trails farther up west.Link text -
Crazy Horse
Crazy Horse was an Oglala Sioux Indian chief who fought against being relocated to an Indian reservation. Crazy Horse was born with the Native American name Tashunka Witco and people have their different opinions about how he got the name Crazy Horse. Even as a child his appearance stood out.Link text -
The Battle of The Little Bighorns
At the Battle of the Little Bighorn on June 25, 1876, General George Armstrong Custer led 600 men into the Little Bighorn Valley, where they were overwhelmed by about 3,000 Sioux and Cheyenne warriors led by Crazy Horse. Custer and his men were all killed in the battle, known as Custer’s Last Stand.Link Text -
Death of Crazy Horse
Crazy Horse was killed at Fort Robinson by a soldier's bayonet. He led and incredible life and he refused to be photographed and never signed. Link text -
Signing of the Dawes Act
The original supporters of the act were genuinely interested in the welfare of the Native Americans, but there were not enough votes in Congress to pass it until it was amended to provide that any land remaining after the allotment to the Native Americans would be available for public sale.Link Text
