Black Elk

[wind]

The man known as Black Elk (Neihardt`s "Black Elk speaks")
Was his "christian" name NICK Black Elk ?

[kingsleybray]

That's right, the famous Black Elk (1863-1950) was baptized on December 6, 1904 (the feast day of St. Nicholas) into the Catholic church. Hence Nick Black Elk.

[wind]

Thank you

[Diane Merkel]

Here is an excerpt from an article that talks about his Catholic faith:

In 1904, Black Elk entered the Catholic Church and embraced a different way of healing. Utilizing his abilities to memorize Scripture and speak persuasively, he became a missionary disciple. He served as a catechist, which in his community functioned much like a permanent deacon does today.

Black Elk went on missions to neighboring reservations and spoke to Catholic groups throughout the country, bringing more than 400 people into the church, including 113 that called him their godfather.

Article: catholicphilly.com/2019/04/commentaries/nicholas-black-elk-prophet-to-lakota-a-sign-of-hope-today/

Diane

[aspis]

Name of his son is Ben Black Elk. I have a picture, when he knees on the grave of his father.
But i don't know how insert here.

[tomfc]

For years, I have been fascinated by the story about Black Elk being left behind in Salford at the end of Buffalo Bill's 1888 tour and joining up with Mexican Joe in London, before moving on to Paris with this rival Wild West showman.

This much is true but beyond that Neihardt's account is not very factual. There was no return trip to Paris. Black Elk's wasicun' girlfriend, I believe, lived somewhere in Greater Manchester, not Paris. There was also a long season in Brussels, Belgium that Neihardt says nothing about. I do not believe that Mexican Joe was ever in Germany or Italy; if he was, I very much doubt that it was during the time that Black Elk travelled with him.

[Californian]

Black Elk and .... by Elliott & Fry, London

click onto image to enlarge

[grahamew]

A new photo of Black Elk has come to light - identified by Dietmar. The photo was taken in New York when he was with the Wild West Show in 1886 either by David Anderson or Napoleon Sarony. The photo was not in great condition, so Californian has tried to get the best image possible using Photoshop.


Sgt. Bates and Black Elk

See also: amertribes.proboards.com/thread/3536/david-anderson-wild-west-show

[Dietmar]

I´ve taken this picture of Black Elk from an unidentified group picture taken in London in 1887. Note he is wearing the same otter fur with mirrors around his neck. It´s probably the same choker as well:

[Californian]

1940's studio portrait of Black Elk, unknown photographer

click onto image to enlarge