Post by carlo on Jul 9, 2011 12:26:55 GMT -5
Red Plume At The Temple, a Mountain Crow better known by his later moniker Long Hair (for obvious reason), was still a teenager when he formed his first war party. In his youth he had received visions that he would become a great leader of the Crows and he was not shy in recounting these predictions to others. The people ridiculed him for it and he was quickly known by the derisive nickname Fool Boy. And now, nearing manhood, he still had not done anything to distinguish himself and follow up on his predictions. The people kept taunting him to act upon his boasts, challenging him to "take the pipe and lead a party to war. Bring home scalps and horses and captives, for these are signs of the valiant warrior." Red Plume took up the challenge and confidently promised a successful return, adding that he would bring them a sign proving his medicine was strong.
He gathered some warriors and set out for enemy country to the southeast. After many days traveling they surprised a Lakota family camp of several lodges and killed most of the inhabitants. When he returned in triumph and soon after added another successful raid, "great was the wonder in the village that Fool Boy had done so well and [...] people were speaking his praises". His hair, which had previously been so short that it seemed like he had no hair at all, suddenly began to grow rapidly – clearly a sign from the Great Spirit proving his power.
He refused to ever cut his hair, even after it had grown so long that it trailed on the ground and he had to roll it up in a bundle tied to his belt. His hair is said to have been over 10 feet long (sources differ on the length, some claiming it was more than double that) and he considered it to be his personal talisman. From that moment on Red Plume was "foremost in war and never failed to triumph over his enemies", attracting many warriors to join him on his expeditions against the Lakota and Blackfeet. He eventually became the most important political and spiritual leader of the Mountain Crows during the fur trade years, signing the 1825 "Friendship Treaty" with the US. He died in 1836 and a lock of his hair is now at the Chief Plenty Coups State Park Museum.
Carlo
He gathered some warriors and set out for enemy country to the southeast. After many days traveling they surprised a Lakota family camp of several lodges and killed most of the inhabitants. When he returned in triumph and soon after added another successful raid, "great was the wonder in the village that Fool Boy had done so well and [...] people were speaking his praises". His hair, which had previously been so short that it seemed like he had no hair at all, suddenly began to grow rapidly – clearly a sign from the Great Spirit proving his power.
He refused to ever cut his hair, even after it had grown so long that it trailed on the ground and he had to roll it up in a bundle tied to his belt. His hair is said to have been over 10 feet long (sources differ on the length, some claiming it was more than double that) and he considered it to be his personal talisman. From that moment on Red Plume was "foremost in war and never failed to triumph over his enemies", attracting many warriors to join him on his expeditions against the Lakota and Blackfeet. He eventually became the most important political and spiritual leader of the Mountain Crows during the fur trade years, signing the 1825 "Friendship Treaty" with the US. He died in 1836 and a lock of his hair is now at the Chief Plenty Coups State Park Museum.
Carlo