John
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Posts: 30
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Post by John on Jun 8, 2010 12:32:03 GMT -5
I would be very grateful if anyone could provide some information about Making Medicine ( also known as "Owl" ), Southern Cheyenne. Have not found any details of his life so far.
If you have, please let me know.
John Groeneveld
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Post by Gary on Jun 8, 2010 17:03:48 GMT -5
Making Medicine / David Pendleton Oakerhater
Making Medicine was born between 1845 and 1851. His father was Sleeping Wolf, and his mother Wah-Nach. He had an older brother, Little Medicine, and a younger brother, Wolf Tongue.
His name, Making Medicine, is a translation of the Cheyenne, Okuhhatuh: Sun Dancer. Okuhhatuh was translated as Making Medicine and later anglicised as Oakerhater.
Making Medicine was a war leader of the Cheyenne Bowstring Society.
He married Nomee (Thunder Woman) in 1872 and later took a second wife, Nanessan (Taking Off Dress). By 1878, he had divorced Nanessan, but remained married to Nomee until her death in 1880. He had four daughters and one son, all of whom died in their childhood.
In 1874, he participated in the Red River War, fighting at the battle of Adobe Walls on 27 June 1874. He also participated in the attack in which wagon master Pat Hennessey and his three drivers were killed on 3 July 1874.
By early 1875, Making Medicine and most of his companions had surrendered. Following his surrender, he was exiled to Fort Marion in Florida with a number of other Cheyennes (33 in all), as well as two Arapahos, twenty-seven Kiowas, nine Comanches and a Caddoe.
At the time of his imprisonment, a description was made of Making Medicine: Warrior, age 33, 145 pounds, height 6 feet ¼.
Whilst at Fort Marion, Making Medicine produced some striking examples of ledger art and is considered to be one of the leading artists among the “Florida Boys”. He also learned English during this time.
After his release in 1878, Making Medicine studied in New York. He subsequently became a Christian and, in 1881, an Episcopalian minister. By now, he was known as David Pendleton Oakerhater. Following the death of his wife, Nomee, he married for a third time, but this wife, Susan, and their two young children died within a short period. He subsequently married his fourth and final wife, Minnie.
Making Medicine remained a staunch Christian until his death on 31 August 1931. In 1985, he was made a saint by the Episcopalian church.
For more information, see: Richard Pratt, Battlefield and Classroom, Karen Daniels Petersen, Plains Indian Art From Fort Marion and K.B. Kueteman, From Warrior to Saint.
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Post by Dietmar on Jun 10, 2010 8:54:36 GMT -5
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John
New Member
Posts: 30
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Post by John on Jun 10, 2010 9:18:50 GMT -5
Hi Gary,
thanks for sharing your information about Making Medicine.
John
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John
New Member
Posts: 30
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Post by John on Jun 10, 2010 9:25:33 GMT -5
Hi Dietmar, thank you very much !!
John
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