HOLLOW HORN BEAR

(Holder of the Washington Medal)

Bear Dog's tepee was at the edge of the Sioux Village where he was preparing his dinner over a hot fire when we called on him. He was readying for the part in the Last Sun Dance to begin at one o'clock. Making ourselves known, he shook hands and invited us to take part in his steaming beef-stew but instead we strolled across the sunburned sod and sand to the Commissary and bought him a watermelon, so big that Rem had to shoulder it for the trip back

Bear Dog was the last survivor of the Hollow Horn Bears. His grandfather was a great chief, he said, and his own father succeeded him as chief, - and then his brother, though now dead, followed as next chief and served down into the eighties and was widely known in modern times.

Bear Dog possessed the old medal given by Washington to his grandfather and which was worn by his father and his brother during their respective administrations. It was turned over to him by his brother before his death, together with other relics. Bear Dog opened his rawhide travel sack to show the medal. It is of pewter bearing the portrait of the first president on one side, and the date 1789, with the meaningless motto - Peace and Friendship - on the reverse.

Asked if he would sell it, he said he was afraid to let it get out of his possession, but if assured that it would not be shown or told about, to any of the Indians, he would give it to us, for preservation in the Wigwam collection.

The pony-necklace of antelope hoofs, with the chief's totem attached, was another item selected from the late chief's war-time regalia.

When receiving gifts from an Indian, you are expected to respond with a "gift" - and in this case a couple of small gold coins served the purpose, with the promise of secrecy during our stay in the west.

Bear Dog was happy, and directed us to Eta Washta's tepee. This old chief, now called Good Face, related how he once had been at the Wigwam, when travelling with Buffalo Bill.

Other Indians told us that Good Face was the finest man on the reservation; he gave his own name to Rem in memory of that visit nearly thirty years before.

Next to see the big chief William Spotted Tail, president of the vast encampment at which local men estimated more than twenty thousand Indians were in attendance.

It was the Last Sun Dance. Spotted Tail was dressed in full regalia of the old-time war chief, and when aware who had honored him with a call, he adopted Rem as his son, gave him a name and directed the white chief to join him in the final ceremonial dance. This was not a suggestion, but a command, and had to be obeyed. It was.

A photo of Hollow Horn, with his two wives, and another with the Washington Medal hung about his neck, adorn the Wigwam collection, - as does the medal itself and the antelope hoof necklace.