To the Oglala Nation, the Lakota People (meaning friend) and the
Sioux (named by the whites meaning enemy), was born a man of simple standing to the people. He was called "Curley."
At age 14, he had a vision. In this vision he rode on a Canary Horse, could not be killed by bullets and had the sign
of a Thunder Bolt on his face. Also in this vision, he was told that he would die by his own peoples hands.
After he won a battle, Curley was given the name "Crazy Horse" which
belonged to his father. He also became a "shirt wearer" of the Lakota people. Crazy Horse did not take for himself,
but fought solely for his people, he did not dance, did not sing in public and was subject to much time in meditation.
Federman, of the U.S. Army declared that he could kill off the entire
Oglala Naiton with 80 men. While entering Oglala territory, he and 80 of his men were killed by Crazy Horse and his
warriors.
The death of his only known child (a daughter) to white disease
fueled Crazy Horse's hatred for the encroachment. He would go on to defeat General George Armstrong Custer's 7th Cavalry
at what is now known as "Custer's Last Stand."
The Fort Laramie Treaty of 1868 was supposed to insure that Indian
Country would remain ours so long as "the grass grows and the waters flow." Discovery of gold in the Black Hills brought
Custer and his 7th Cavalry to clear the way for white miners.
As punishment for the death of Custer, the Oglala Lakota and Crazy
Horse were ordered to turn themselves in or be exterminated. When this took place and threat of incarceration became known
to Crazy Horse, he was stabbed with a bayonnet by a newly appointed member of the "Indian Police," a former member of his
nation. He died later that day.
