American Horse
written by: Charles A. Eastman
revised by: April Smith
revised by: April Smith
American Horse was a Oglala Lakota Sioux who became chief after his uncle died in the battle of Slim Buttes in 1876. He was born just before white settlers began to move to Sioux country. The group of Native Americans that American Horse belonged to was closely attached to a trading post, and its members were friendly with the whites.
During the troubled times from 1865 to 1877, American Horse wanted to obey the government at any cost. He was convinced that it was useless to resist. When American Horse and the Ogallalas, (the band in which he belonged), came into the reservation, American Horse at once allied himself with the peace movement at the Red Cloud agency, near Fort Robinson, Nebraska. American Horse became a U.S. scout and he encouraged the young men of his tribe to enlist as scouts for the U.S. Government as well.
In the early part of the year 1876, there was a rumor that certain bands were in danger of breaking away. Their leader was Sioux Jim. American Horse went to him as peacemaker. Sioux Jim said that American Horse was a woman and not brave. American Horse returned to his own camp and told his men that Sioux Jim was trouble and he would need to be stopped. So American Horse again approached Sioux Jim. But this time, he had several warriors with him. Sioux Jim drew his gun but American Horse was too fast. American Horse shot Sioux Jim wounding him. One of American Horse’s warriors then shot Sioux Jim again, killing him.
Things were peaceful again for awhile. American Horse was again helpful to the U.S. government. He was known for being a great speaker and negotiator, yet he made it known that he did not trust the whites because they had shown they were untrustworthy.
It was during the last struggle of his people, at the time of the Ghost Dance craze in 1890-1891 that he showed how great he was. While many of his friends were carried away by the new idea, he was cautious and warned his band to be cautious as well. When the Ghost Dance began to be a demonstration movement by Native Americans against assimilation into the white culture, he opposed the Ghost Dance altogether.
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. At one time there was a Native American man called Little who was arrested for dancing the Ghost Dance. He had worked out a plan with his band where he would resist arrest. When the police handled him roughly for resisting, his band would have an excuse to attack the Indian police. Th, which would probably lead to a general massacre or outbreak. American Horse found out and opposed the plan. Little’s band threatened to kill American Horse for opposing the plan.
Little picked a day when he knew thousands of Indians would be gathered at the agency. Knowing he would be arrested on site, Little walked into the crowd. The plan had begun. The guards led him toward the guardhouse. He struggled with them, but was overpowered. A crowd of warriors rushed to his rescue. American Horse walked calmly out of the agent's office and faced 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 today?" He stood before them like a statue and the men who held the two policemen 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 turned around and reentered the office. Jack followed him waving the a pistol. But American Horse had saved the day. The police then took over the situation.
American Horse was one of the earliest supporters of education for Native Americans. His son Samuel and nephew Robert were among the first students at Carlisle Indian School. The Carlisle Indian School was the model Indian boarding school in the United States from 1879 through 1918. It was located far from the reservation so that students could learn to assimilate into American culture by dressing like white people, learning white ways, and getting an academic education. The school’s goal was to help Native Americans gain equal status with whites by teaching Native American children white culture. It was very controversial. Though the school had good intentions - gaining equal treatment for Native Americans and providing them with an education, it completely destroyed any part of the Native American culture.
Chief American Horse died from natural causes in his house near Kyle, Pine Ridge, South Dakota on December 16, 1908; however, his legacy as the great negotiator lived on. He was loved by Native Americans and whites alike. He was one of only a few men ever able to accomplish this.
During the troubled times from 1865 to 1877, American Horse wanted to obey the government at any cost. He was convinced that it was useless to resist. When American Horse and the Ogallalas, (the band in which he belonged), came into the reservation, American Horse at once allied himself with the peace movement at the Red Cloud agency, near Fort Robinson, Nebraska. American Horse became a U.S. scout and he encouraged the young men of his tribe to enlist as scouts for the U.S. Government as well.
In the early part of the year 1876, there was a rumor that certain bands were in danger of breaking away. Their leader was Sioux Jim. American Horse went to him as peacemaker. Sioux Jim said that American Horse was a woman and not brave. American Horse returned to his own camp and told his men that Sioux Jim was trouble and he would need to be stopped. So American Horse again approached Sioux Jim. But this time, he had several warriors with him. Sioux Jim drew his gun but American Horse was too fast. American Horse shot Sioux Jim wounding him. One of American Horse’s warriors then shot Sioux Jim again, killing him.
Things were peaceful again for awhile. American Horse was again helpful to the U.S. government. He was known for being a great speaker and negotiator, yet he made it known that he did not trust the whites because they had shown they were untrustworthy.
It was during the last struggle of his people, at the time of the Ghost Dance craze in 1890-1891 that he showed how great he was. While many of his friends were carried away by the new idea, he was cautious and warned his band to be cautious as well. When the Ghost Dance began to be a demonstration movement by Native Americans against assimilation into the white culture, he opposed the Ghost Dance altogether.
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. At one time there was a Native American man called Little who was arrested for dancing the Ghost Dance. He had worked out a plan with his band where he would resist arrest. When the police handled him roughly for resisting, his band would have an excuse to attack the Indian police. Th, which would probably lead to a general massacre or outbreak. American Horse found out and opposed the plan. Little’s band threatened to kill American Horse for opposing the plan.
Little picked a day when he knew thousands of Indians would be gathered at the agency. Knowing he would be arrested on site, Little walked into the crowd. The plan had begun. The guards led him toward the guardhouse. He struggled with them, but was overpowered. A crowd of warriors rushed to his rescue. American Horse walked calmly out of the agent's office and faced 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 today?" He stood before them like a statue and the men who held the two policemen 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 turned around and reentered the office. Jack followed him waving the a pistol. But American Horse had saved the day. The police then took over the situation.
American Horse was one of the earliest supporters of education for Native Americans. His son Samuel and nephew Robert were among the first students at Carlisle Indian School. The Carlisle Indian School was the model Indian boarding school in the United States from 1879 through 1918. It was located far from the reservation so that students could learn to assimilate into American culture by dressing like white people, learning white ways, and getting an academic education. The school’s goal was to help Native Americans gain equal status with whites by teaching Native American children white culture. It was very controversial. Though the school had good intentions - gaining equal treatment for Native Americans and providing them with an education, it completely destroyed any part of the Native American culture.
Chief American Horse died from natural causes in his house near Kyle, Pine Ridge, South Dakota on December 16, 1908; however, his legacy as the great negotiator lived on. He was loved by Native Americans and whites alike. He was one of only a few men ever able to accomplish this.