She Who Rode a Wolf
by Dr. Pelham Mead
Based on stories of the Pawnee and other Native American Indians.
She Who Rode a Wolf
WOLF RIDER (OYADA-GE-A)
SHE WHO RODE A WOLF.
By Dr. Pelham Mead
ACT ONE- SHE WHO RIDES THE WOLF
Oyade-ge-a is pawnee for one who rode. Oyade-ge-a is an short innocent
Pawnee girl who becomes immortal and rides Sirius the Wolf constellation in the
sky. She has brown braided hair and a deerskin dress decorated with many
beads. Her tanned skin contrasts with her blue eyes. She speaks softly as she
tells the many history and Wolf stories of the Pawnee Indians during the 1800’s
before they moved to Oklahoma.
OYADE-GE-A, PAWNEE GIRL (10)
In 1824 the Pawnee nation had ten thousand
Indians. Over the next few decades the pale
face came and brought with the diseases the
Pawnee had no resistance to such as small
pox
OYADA-GE-A, PAWNEE GIRL (SHE WHO RODE
THE WOLF)
I am oyada-ge-a, the pawnee girl who rides
Sirius the Wolf in the stars in the sky. Sirius
and I travel over time and day, always watching
the Pawnee, Wolf worshippers. I see the pale
face coming to steal the land of the Pawnee.
Their many wooden wagons come in search of
land the golden rock they cherish so much. The
Pawnee were farmers and hunters, not
warriors. They did not seek a war with the pale
face. Rather they sought peace and joined the
pale face army as scouts.
SIRIUS THE WOLF STAR
Hang on oyada-ge-a as we stream across the
sky watching our Pawnee brothers and sisters
below. The Skidi Pawnee know the stars well,
for they have studied them for many winters.
2.
OYADA-GE-A, PAWNEE GIRL (SHE WHO RODE
A WOLF)
We Pawnee are known as chatiks si chatiks,
“Men of Men.” We are a proud nation. Look
down below on the Loup River there is a large
village of several thousand Pawnee hunting for
Buffalo.
SIRIUS THE WOLF STAR
When a Pawnee brother or sister is in trouble
we come to their rescue. Last hunting season
we saved a Pawnee warrior named Blue Crow,
who fell off his horse during a buffalo hunt. We
spoke to the lead buffalo, and convinced him to
turn to the left to allow the Pawnee to live as
they were stampeding across the plain.
SIRIUS THE WOLF STAR (CONT’D)
Oh great and boundless one, leader of the
Buffalo, turn left now and spare the life of the
Pawnee that fell off his horse.
LEAD BUFFALO
As you wish Wolf Star. Let us turn to the left my
brothers.
BLUE CROW, PAWNEE BRAVE
I am going to be crushed by the Buffalo. Sirius
save me. Oh, my spirit the Buffalo are turning.
Sirius has come to my rescue.
FADE OUT.
ACT 2 THE TWO WOLVES STORY
One night in a Pawnee village camped on a river there was a full moon and the
wolves in the forest all were howling. In the Pawnee village a young pawnee sat
his grandfather Bright Knife’s tepee.
INT. NIGHTOne
day in 1824 Montana.
Chief Bright Knife was a short, muscular and dark skinned Pawnee who had
fought many moons against the Sioux and Black Foot Indians. Little Elk was a
ten year old Pawnee boy.
3.
CHIEF BRIGHT KNIFE, PAWNEE
Grandson little Elk, come and sit by me in my
tepee and get warm by the fire.
LITTLE ELK, PANEE BOY (7)
Do you hear the wolves howling Grandfather.
Why do they howl at the full moon? Would you
tell me another story about Wolves
Grandfather?
CHIEF BRIGHT KNIFE, PAWNEE
A fight is going on inside me Little Elk. It is a
terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One
is evil and he is anger, envy, sorry, regret,
greed, self-pity and many other bad things. The
other wolf is good and he represents peace,
joy, hope, love, humility, kindness, empathy,
truth, faith and many more good qualities. The
same fight is going on inside you Little Elk.
Others have the same fight going on inside
them.
LITTLE ELK, PANEE BOY
What wolf will win Grandfather?
CHIEF BRIGHT KNIFE, PAWNEE
The one you feed my son.
FADE TO BLACK.
ACT 3 ATIUS TIRAWA, FATHER ABOVE
SCENE 1-EXT. DAYAtius
Tirawa, which means “Father Above” in the Pawnee language (often
translated, inaccurately, as “Great Spirit”) was the creator god. Other terms used,
and perhaps most used, are Tirawahat or Tirawahut. One day Chief Bright Knife
explained to Little Elk about the Pawnee gods and stars in the sky.
FADE IN:
4.
LITTLE ELK, PANEE BOY
Grandfather Bright Knife, tell me about the
Gods and the stars in the sky.
CHIEF BRIGHT KNIFE, PAWNEE
Gladly grandson. Bring a log over here to warm
the tepee on the fire. Let me tell you of all the
great spirits, Gods, and powers in the heavens
above. First that is Atius Tirawa. I will pretend
to be each of the Gods beginning with Atius
Tirawa.
LITTLE ELK, PANEE BOY
That sounds exciting Grandfather.
ATIUS TIRAWA, PAWNEE FATHER ABOVE
I will show you how to tame the flame for
cooking. I will give you corn, melon, and other
foods to grow. You are free to tattoo your body
and have a speech and clothing. I give you
also tobacco and sacred bundles and
sacrifices to the other God. My wife ATIRA,
Goddess of the Earth and Corn will help you
keep the Earth fertile. I give you also the male
morning Star in the east dressed as a warrior.
Next will come the female Evening Star in the
West. Each nigh and night Morning star will
have to fight with a number of forces in the
Western sky with his fireball.
NORTH STAR, SON OF SOUTH STAR
I am North Star, son of South Star and I will
watch over my people the Pawnee and keep
my position in the sky to guide travelers.
SOUTH STAR, FATHER OF NORTH STAR
I rule in the land of the dead. I rise every day
to see if my son North Star remains in his fixed
position. I require no prayers or ceremonies
from the Pawnee.
THUNDER GOD
We are the great four powers of the West.
Listen Pawnee to my noise in the sky.
(MORE)
5.
LIGHTENING GOD
We four powers obey the Evening star by
means of our constant song with Earth.
CLOUD GOD
I float above the Earth and obey the Evening
star. Beware when my clouds are black for a
storm is on the way.
WIND GOD
My might power belongs to the Evening Star.
Do not underestimate my power. The first girl,
the child of Evening and Morning Star rests
with me and the other three great Gods.
SHAKURU, DIETY OF SOLAR
I am Shakuru deity of the Pawnee sky.
PAH, DIETY OF THE LUNA MOON
I am Pah, diety of the Luna Moon in the
Pawnee sky. Together we are two minor deities
for the pawnee. We Were the last of the Gods
to be placed in the heavens.
CHIEF BRIGHT KNIFE, PAWNEE
Meteorites brought good fortune to the finders.
They were seen as the children of Tirawahut
sent down to Earth.
While the Skidi Pawnee relied a great deal on
the powers and the aid of stars and other
objects in cosmos, the South Bands came
through foremost by the assistance and advice
of a number of animals. Yet, the gods in
heaven existed, and the animals acted as gobetweens
when they instructed and guided the
South Bands.
LITTLE ELK, PANEE BOY
What of the Beaver Grandfather. Why is he
important?
CHIEF BRIGHT KNIFE, PAWNEE
The White Beaver ceremony of the Chawi
served nearly the same purpose as the
renewing or restarting Spring Awakening
ceremony (Thunder ceremony) of the Skidi.
CHIEF BRIGHT KNIFE, PAWNEE (CONT’D)
(MORE)
6.
However hibernating animals were revitalized
through this rite rather than the renewal of corn
crops.
Tirawa conferred miraculous powers on certain
animals. These spirit animals, the nahurac,
would act as Tirawa’s messengers and
servants, and could intercede with him on
behalf of the Pawnee. The nahurac had five
dwellings or lodges.
• The foremost among them was Pahuk,
usually translated “hill island”, a bluff on the
south side of the Platte River, near the town of
Cedar Bluffs where the pale face lived.
• Lalawakohtito, or “dark island”, was an island
in the Platte .
• Ahkawitakol, or “white bank”, was on the
Loup River opposite the mouth of the Cedar
River .
• Kitzawitzuk, translated “water on a bank”,
also known to the Pawnee as Pahowa, was a
spring on the Solomon River.
• The fifth lodge of the nahurac was known to
the Pawnee as Pahur (/pa’hur/, translated as
“hill that points the way” or “guide rock. Pass
me that gourd of water grandson for I am
thirsting .
Regular ceremonies were performed before
major events, such as semi-annual buffalo
hunts. Kawaha, an often-besought god of good
luck, was closely connected to buffalo hunts.
The most important ceremony of the Pawnee
culture, the Spring Awakening ceremony, was
meant to awaken the earth and ready it for
planting. It can be tied to celestial observation,
held at the time when the priest first tracked
“two small twinkling stars known as the
Swimming Ducks in the northeastern horizon
near the Milky Way.” and then heard a rolling
thunder from the West.[1]:14 and 53 (See
above for the role of Thunder in the Creation
myth).[13]
CHIEF BRIGHT KNIFE, PAWNEE (CONT’D)
7.
The Morning Star ceremony was a ritual
human sacrifice of a young girl, performed only
by a single village of the Skidi band of the
Pawnee. It was connected to the Pawnee
creation narrative, in which the mating of the
male Morning Star with the female Evening
Star created the first human being, a girl.
This is the story of Man Chief who tried to rescue a Comanche girl from the
Morning Star ceremony.
FADE IN:
MAN CHIEF, SKIDI PAWNEE
We captured some Comanches to use as
slaves, however the Priests want to sacrifice
one young Comanche girl for the Morning Star
Ceremony.
JOHN DOUGHERTY, INDIAN AGENT (32)
Man Chief I respect your traditions but the
Morning Star human sacrifice goes against the
laws of the pale faces. We have to stop this
sacrifice or some of the pale faces will come
and kill Pawnee braves as retaliation.
MAN CHIEF, PAWNEE
I have spoken to the Skidi Pawnee priests and
they will not listen. They say she must be
sacrificed to ensure a good spring planting.
The priests say the time is right when Mars is
the morning Star.
JOHN DOUGHERTY, INDIAN AGENT
We must stop this ceremony. Where is the girl
tied to a scaffold?
MAN CHIEF, PAWNEE
I know where the ceremony is to be held. We
will need many Pawnee scouts or pale faces
with thunder sticks to stop this ceremony. The
ceremony is by thunder rock by the Loop River.
We can get there in a day of riding.
Meanwhile at the ceremonial site near the
Loop river at Thunder Rock.
Back at Loop river at the ceremonial site.
8.
MORNING STAR SERVANT PRIEST
Tie the girl up to the scaffold between the two
trees. Treat her with respect at all times. She
must be cleansed. She will be sacrificed when
the Morning Star rises in the East.
SECOND PRIEST
I have selected two braves who will bring the
flaming branches to the armpits and groin of
the sacrifice. Four other braves will than touch
the sacrifice with their war clubs.
GREY BEAVER
Since I captured the Comanche girl it will be
my honor to shoot the sacred arrow from the
Skull bundle through her heart.
SECOND PRIEST
I will cut open the sacrifices chest and let the
blood drip onto buffalo eat. Following me all the
braves in the ceremony will shoot arrows into
the body.Come Morning we will take the body
out onto the plains and leave it facedown to
feed the Earth.
Just then Man Chief and the Indian agent appeared. The priests were started
and ran.
JOHN DOUGHERTY, INDIAN AGENT
Stop what you are doing. Take this woman
down from the scaffold. We cannot allow you to
kill a young woman.
MAN CHIEF, PAWNEE
I will cut her down. Get on my pony woman.
We must hurray before the braves return with
guns and bows
JOHN DOUGHERTY, INDIAN AGENT
Let’s ride. We have the girl and she is still alive
When the Priests returned with dozens of Pawnee braves they got on their
ponies and chased after Man Chief and John Dougherty along with their posse.
9.
MORNING STAR SERVANT PRIEST
Quick ride after them and bring the woman
back or we will have a bad year in our planting
FADE TO BLACK.
FADE IN:
This is a Lakota indian story called Mitakuye Oyasin Lakota, meaning We Are All
Related. As a girl I heard this story many times.
CHIEF BRIGHT KNIFE, PAWNEE
Come back tomorrow Grandson and I will tell
you of the story of the Black Wolf.
The next day
FADE TO BLACK.
LITTLE ELK, PANEE BOY
Grandfather are you in your tepee?
CHIEF BRIGHT KNIFE, PAWNEE
Yes, come in grandson. I made some birch tea
for us to drink. Come sit down by me. Where
are we? Oh, yet the story of the black wolf.
Many moons ago a young Pawnee girl walked
into the woods to play. It was a warm and
sunny day with a gentle breeze in the air. As
she explored her secret world, she heard the
faint sound of a beating drum. The rhythmic
beat was relaxing and so she sat against a
willow tree and drifted off to sleep.
As the young girl slept, she dreamt of her
secret woods and again heard the faint beating
of a drum. She was drawn to the sound and
walked toward it. A hawk flew above, guiding
the way.
RED TAILED HAWK
Follow me little one.
BLACK WOLF
Why are you not afraid of me human?
(MORE)
10.
PAWNEE GIRL
I am not afraid of you.
In the distance a Pawnee saw the wolf and the girl in a clearing
DANCING CROW, PAWNEE BRAVE
What is that foolish girl doing? The wolf will kill
her in a second.
A DRUM BEAT SOMEWHERE IN THE WIND AS THE GIRL APPROACHED THE
WOLF.
PAWNEE GIRL
I stand before you great wolf.
WOLF
You are brave little one. I lower my head in
respect to you.
PAWNEE GIRL
Can I kneel down oh great one? Can I look into
your golden eyes great one?
WOLF
Can you hear me little one? I speak to you in
the language of the wolves. Come nuzzle in my
legs little one.
Meanwhile the Pawnee brave observed everything from afar.
The young girl awoke from her dream and stood in the woods. She turned,
expecting to see the wolf but she was alone….
PAWNEE GIRL
Where am I? I must have fallen asleep. Where
is the wolf I spoke to? The was a weird dream
Years passed and the young girl grew up. She forgot about the wolf and Indian in
her dream.
PAWNEE GIRL (CONT’D)
Then one day the now woman came to a dark
place in her life. Feeling lost and alone, she fell
asleep crying and drifted off into a dream. And
in that dream the woman was given a vision. In
the distance, she heard the beating of the
drum. The black wolf came to her again. His
golden eyes illuminated and pierced the
darkness.
PAWNEE GIRL (CONT’D)
11.
Again in the distance the Indian stood silent.
In her sleep, the woman flashed back to her
childhood and remembered that day in the
woods. She knew that although she wandered,
she was not alone – she was not lost. Through
his eyes, the black wolf told her that he walked
within her.
She awoke and again looked for the black wolf
but this time she remembered… She looked
within herself and found him….And she
breathed in a new breath.
That woman now understands who she is. She
is one with the black wolf and the Indian…And
they are a part of her soul.
If you do not walk with the animals, you will not
know them –
And what you do not know, you will fear –
And what you fear, you will destroy.
I walk with the Black Wolf. Now I am Oyade-Ge-
A, one who rides the Black Wolf in the Sky.
FADE TO BLACK.
EXT. DAY
The Massacre Canyon battle took place in Nebraska on August 5, 1873 near the
Republican River. It was one of the last hostilities between the Pawnee and the
Sioux(or Lakota) and the last battle/massacre between Great Plains Indians in
North America.
FADE IN:
TWO STRIKE OGLALA/BRULE’ SIOUX CHIEF
Assemble the Braves, we are ready for the
Buffalo hunt.
LITTE WOUND OGLALA/BRULE’ SIOUX CHIEF
The pale face agent John Williamson has given
us permission to hunt along the great river
SPOTTED TAIL OGLALA/BRULE’ SIOUX CHIEF
Hurray or we will miss the Buffalo. We have
over 1500 braves ready to kill many buffalo
Chief Two Strike
The massacre occurred when a large Oglala/Brulé Sioux war party of over 1,500
warriors led by Two Strike, Little Wound, and Spotted Tail attacked a band of
12.
Across the river a few miles away were the Pawnee with a band of 100 braves
and chiefs Pawnee: Sky Chief, Sun Chief, Fighting Bear, Ruling His Son.
SKY CHIEF, PAWNEE
It is a good day to kill buffalo. Our scouts report
the herd is headed this way.
SUN CHIEF, PAWNEE
We can split our forces further down the river if
we run into the Buffalo herd.
FIGHTING BEAR, PAWNEE
I will sent six of my braves ahead to spot the
Buffalo in advance of our braves
Pawnee during their summer buffalo hunt. In the ensuing rout more than 75–100
Pawnees were killed, men with mostly women and children, the victims suffering
mutilation and some set on fire.
The Quaker Indian agent John W. Williamson stated that 156 Pawnee were
killed.
SPOTTED TAIL OGLALA/BRULE’ SIOUX CHIEF
There are only 80 to a 100 Pawnee in the
canyon below us. Attack.
CHIEF CHARGING BEAR, SIOIX CHIEF
I just killed three Pawnee braves. Now I need
to kill those woman. They are easy targets.
TWO STRIKE OGLALA/BRULE’ SIOUX CHIEF
We have the trapped in the canyon. Ride
around both cliffs overlooking the canyon and
shoot your arrows and guns down into the
canyon. They are easy kill. Time to avenge our
fathers.
SKY CHIEF (TIRAWAHUT LESHARO)
This skilling of my buffalo kill is taking forever.
Who are those riders on the hill? Oh, no it is
Sioux warriors. Woman run and hide with the
children in the canyon. I will try and hold off the
Sioux if they attack.
13.
LITTLE DOG, SIOUX WARRIOR
Look there, a Pawnee chief has killed a buffalo
and is skinning it. Let us kill him and take his
buffalo. Ah eeee, (war cry)
Elsewhere in the canyon Traveling Bear is being chased by Sioux warriors.
TRAVELING BEAR, PAWNEE
Spirits above help me to escape. Ohh an arrow
in my arm. I must ride fast and warn the others.
LITTLE DOG, SIOUX WARRIOR
Three feather hit that Pawnee with your war
club. We have him trapped in the narrow
canyon. Ride fast brother. Shoot the woman
and children hiding in the bushes.
JOHN WILLIAMSON, INDIAN AGENT (23)
I will be accompanying the Pawnee on their
buffalo hunt today. It is the 4th day of August
and the sun was beating down as we
approached the north bank of the Republican
river to make camp.
9:00 pm that evening.
HARRY DUGGAN, TRADER
Is the Indian Agent John Williamson in camp?
We have bad news. We just saw a Sioux camp
about 25 miles northwest of the Republican
river. It appears the Sioux have been waiting
for a few days for the Pawnee to move up the
river to follow the buffalo.
JOHN WILLIAMSON, INDIAN AGENT
What is all the noise about? Hey Harry, how is
trading?
HARRY DUGGAN, TRADER
John you are in trouble. We spotted a large
band of about 1,000 Sioux camped about 25
miles northwest of your campsite. They have
been shadowing you for days waiting for an
opportunity to attack.
14.
JOHN WILLIAMSON, INDIAN AGENT
I find that hard to believe. Let me take you to
Sky Chief who is in command. Sky Chief it is
Mr. Williamson, may I enter your tepee?
SKY CHIEF, PAWNEE
Come in Agent Williamson. What is it?
JOHN WILLIAMSON, INDIAN AGENT
Chief these three white men just rode into
camp to tell us that there are 1,000 Sioux
camps less than 25 miles northwest of our
camp.
SKY CHIEF, PAWNEE
You are liars white man. You are just trying to
scare the Pawnees away from our hunting
grounds. You are a squaw and a coward Agent
Williamson.
JOHN WILLIAMSON, INDIAN AGENT
You insult me Sky Chief. I believe the white
men. They are old friends of mine, and would
not lie to me. I will not go as far as you dare to
go. Don’t forget that when you see 1,000 Sioux
chasing you down.
FADE OUT.
EXT. DAYAugust
5th.
That morning the Pawnee broke camp and started north up the divide between
the Republican and Frenchman rivers.
FADE IN:
SKY CHIEF, PAWNEE
Shake brother. I am sorry for speaking harshly
last night. There is no reason to be on guard. I
did not send any scouts forward.
A Pawnee scout comes riding swiftly back to the long line of Pawnee braves,
shouting.
15.
RUNNING WOLF, PAWNEE
Buffalo, buffalo in the distance, come let us ride
quickly.
SKY CHIEF, PAWNEE
You see Agent Williamson, we have found the
buffalo and no Sioux are in sight. Come lets us
ride after the buffalo.
JOHN WILLIAMSON, INDIAN AGENT
I guess I was wrong Sky Chief. I hope you kill
many Buffalo today.
PAWNEE SCOUT
Come quickly and follow me up along the river.
SKY CHIEF, PAWNEE
They are close brothers. Leave the pack
horses behind with the old women. We will
return for them after the Buffalo kill.
SCAR NOSE, PAWNEE BRAVE
We can get there faster by going up the
canyon.
On the hills out of sight from deep in the canyon a band of Lakota Sioux were
hiding behind bushes waiting for the Pawnee braves to follow the narrow canyon
to where it rises to meet the open plains.
The morning of August 5 the Pawnees went up a canyon. Men looking for game
took the lead and the families followed with loaded down packhorses. Soon after
the battle was on.
La-Roo-Chuck-A-La-Shar (Sun Chief) was a Pawnee chief who died fighting the
Lakota at Massacre Canyon.
The Pawnees say that Sky Chief lived during the first part of the battle. He fought
for his tribe, shouting words of encouragement to it. “Today I may see the tribe
you protect here. This is the end. It is supposed to be better old men not to
become. Now, men, a man be.”[27] He killed his own little son with his knife,
telling the Sioux that they would not get his child.[28]
SUN CHIEF, PAWNEE (LA-ROO-CHURCK-A-LASHAR)
(45)
It is Sioux arrows I see. Woman take the
children and run. THe other braves and I will try
to slow the Sioux down. There are too many of
them compared to our small group.
16.
SKY CHIEF, PAWNEE
Ride on brothers. I will try to slow down the
Sioux
DOG CHIEF, PAWNEE
I am coming Big Brother to save you from the
Sioux.
SKY CHIEF, PAWNEE
Do not risk your life brother Dog Chief. Go run
for your life. The Sioux outnumber us greatly. I
will fight to my last breath. Now go before it is
too late.Take My Bear claw necklace and try to
escape. I want you to have it and I do not want
the Sioux to take possession of it.
DOG CHIEF, PAWNEE
Thank you brother. We will meet in the happy
hunting ground soon.
Meanwhile at the top of the canyon.
CHIEF LUTHER STANDING BEAR, LAKOTA
SIOUX CHIEF
We have them trapped between both sides of
the canyon. Shoot all your arrows down on
them.
CAPTAIN CHARLES MEINHOLD, FORT
MCPHERSON
Where are all these Pawnee Indians coming
from? They look like they were attacked by
Sioux warriors while hunting for Buffalo
WILLIAMSON INDIAN AGENT
We were surrounded by Lakota Sioux in a
canyon near here. They outnumber us by ten
to one or more. I was so surprised to see them.
We had a warning by some trappers but Sky
Chief would not believe that there were Lakota
Sioux within 25 miles of the Pawnee camp.
PLATT INDIAN AGENT
We managed to escape out the other end of
the canyon before the Sioux could surround us.
East of Culbertson camped Capt. Charles Meinhold with his small command from
(MORE)
17.
Fort McPherson, by twist of fate. All through the morning Pawnee survivors found
the camp as well as Williamson and Platt, who had made his escape early during
the fight. The Pawnees got instructions to proceed further east.[33]
PLATT INDIAN AGENT (CONT’D)
Look over there in the canyon. There is the
body of a dead Pawnee woman.
PRIVATE KEN JAMES
Captain there are a whole mess of Pawnees
dead inside the ravine.
CAPTAIN CHARLES MEINHOLD
Look for any survivors Private James.
PRIVATE KEN JAMES
Yes, Sir.
About an hour later.
PRIVATE KEN JAMES (CONT’D)
Captain we counted fifty-nine dead bodies.
That count includes women and men. For
some reason many of the woman were
stripped naked Sir.
Meanwhile, twenty miles away at the Lakota Sioux camp Luther Standing Bear a
ten year old boy watched the Lakota warriors return to the camp after the
Massacre Canyon battle.
CHIEF CLOUD SHIELD, LAKOTA SIOUX
I have the scalp of the great Pawnee Chief Sky
Chief. Ya ho, hee (Swinging the scalp around
in the air). We killed three hundred Pawnee
today.
SCENE…Ext. Day-Massacre Canyon, August 6, 1873.
People from nearby camps and towns visited the battle scene over the next few
days.
ROYAL BUCK, REPORTER FOR THE
NEBRASKA CITY NEWS
(Posted in the Nebraska City News) It was a
massacre and nothing more, and near 100
Pawnee victims were lying on the ground and
full two thirds were Squaws, and papooses.
ROYAL BUCK, REPORTER FOR THE NEBRASKA
18.
It was a slaughter the likes of I have never
seen before.
News of the defeat reached the remaining
Pawnees in the reservation on August 8
through a runner. “This produced intense
excitement in the village, sorrowful wailings
were heard all day”.[43]
INT. DAY-AUG.
1874-Dr. Bancroft’s office, Silver creek.
The Pawnee survivors made the 80 miles or so to Plum Creek near the Platte.
Here Dr. William M. Bancroft gave professional assistance to the wounded. By
train they arrived at Silver Creek, around ten miles south of the Pawnee Agency.
FADE IN:
RUNNING WOLF, PAWNEE
Keep riding my brothers. We have many days
to go to get to the Pale Face settlement at
Plum Creek.
LITTLE WEASLE, PAWNEE
I cannot go any further Running Wolf. I have an
arrow in my side.
SWEET WATER, PAWNEE SQUAW
I have seen a vision of our brothers in the
heavens guided by the Wolf Star.
FADE TO BLACK.
EXT.-DAYLast
week of August 1874.
Indian agent Williamson returns to Massacre canyon to cover up the dead bodies
of the Pawnee.
FADE IN:
19.
WILLIAMSON INDIAN AGENT
Captain Holden I am going back to the
Massacre Canyon to properly bury the dead
Pawnee women, children and braves.
CAPTAIN HOLDEN, US ARMY
I can send a small patrol to tend to the dead
bodies if you want Mr. Williamson.
WILLIAMSON INDIAN AGENT
That is fine Captain. I need to do this to relieve
my guilt in not preventing this tragedy. I am
leaving in a few minutes with a pack horse and
my horse. I expect I will be gone for several
days.
CAPTAIN HOLDEN, US ARMY
God speed Williamson.
Two days later Williamson arrives at Massacre Canyon. Buzzards weere flying
around in the air in droves and the stench of dead is in the air.
WILLIAMSON INDIAN AGENT
Oh my God the smell of the dead bodies is
overwhelming. There is so much rock that I will
have to use the dirt from the canyon banks to
cover the bodies. I need to remember to keep
an accurate count so that I can make a full and
accurate report to the Indian Bureau in
Washington, D.C. Let me see I count 20 dead
braves, 39 squaws and ten children. Many of
the bodies were already picked clean of their
flesh by the vultures. I am going to have
nightmares forever.
Hours later Williamson stopped in a pile of sweat to recover from covering all the
bodies. Sweat rolled down his face and he quietly cried to himself.
WILLIAMSON INDIAN AGENT (CONT’D)
Perhaps I could have prevented this by making
Sky Chief listen to the white Traders. They had
no reason to lie. I guess I will bury the indian
necklaces with the bodies, rather than bring
them back to the Fort.
Two days later Agent Williamson rode back into Fort.
20.
Far away to the north the Lakota Sioux Chief Cloud Shield remembers the winter
kill differently.
CLOUD-SHIELD, LAKOTA SIOUX CHIEF
I was a good kill that winter. The Pawnee have
always been our enemy and this was our
chance to even the score. In Lakota Sioux
history this battle will be recorded as a great
victory over 150 Pawnee braves who were
hunting Buffalo on our ancestral land.
FADE TO BLACK.
THE END.
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