A Northern Cheyenne Called Roman Nose by Orvel A. Criqui Fig. 1 “The Surprise” Toe Fig. 2 “The Defiance of Ronan Nise” BOUT FORTY MILES NORTH OF BURLINGTON in eastern Colorado is the site of a battle fought in 1868 between a small group of white men and a large band of Indians. First known as the “Bate Of the Arickaree.”it was later designated as the “Battle of Beecher Island” by Gol. George A. Forsyth. Indians remember it as the battle in which Roman Nose was Killed. Although much has been written about the bat tle and the loss of the Cheyenne fighting spirit, consid- erable confusion has existed about the principal I dian warrior, a Northern Cheyenne called Roman Nose. While early reports of the battle did not mention Roman Nose, later reports contained innumerable di ‘crepancies about his description, his participation, his death, and the place and manner of his burial. Even now, the mystery surrounding the true identity of the Beecher Island Roman Nese surfaces in books, mu seum exhibits, and collections, resulting in confusion, Many incidents have been incorrectly’ attributed to Roman Nose, and the photographs of several different Indians have been used to portray him. Although there was more than one Roman Nose, many have as- sumed that there was but one, and that he was the one of Beecher Island fame. The purpose of this article is to set the record straight. Several months hefore the battle, duri mer of 1868, Maj, Gen. Philip H, Sheridan directed Ist Lt, Frederick H. Beecher and four civilian scouts to observe the Indians in western Kansas. Unknown to many military men of the time, Lieutenant Becher and scouts William Comstock, Sharp Grover, Dick Parr, and Frank Espey visited the various villages, re porting directly to General Sheridan. ‘The reports the sum- ‘Orect A, Griqui bl B.S d M.S. dees from Kaa State Bacher alge, Emporia, ord om EdD. from th Emiety of Kansas. Sines 195 Int bet wih th sche sn tn sere where hei priipl of South Junior High Scat A charter member of the Kea Antrapsopeal ‘Asocation (KAA), he has arp tere des ejposore 8 he [KAA and te Rano Slt Hira Srey and he ata a ns (he Mucus of Aap a he Umer of Kas Carly be ‘Serf of th Rw ley Cre of the sere and a member of the ard of dralr ofthe Degas County Histrel Soa, 176Roman Nose ‘gave the locations of the camps, the tribes represented, the leaders, and the approximate number and condi tion of warriors, arms, and ponies.’ Obviously, through these “visits” Beecher was able to keep Sheri- dan apprised of the total situation as the Indians gathered in western Kansas. ‘On the evening of August 16, 1868 (although the circumstances have been questioned), it was reported that after leaving a Cheyenne village, Comstock and Grover were attacked and Comstock was killed.” Gi cral Sheridan was aware of the many Indian depreda- tions and the large number of Indians gathering in the area, and he was particularly concerned about the death of Comstock. Although the Indians maintained that their intentions were peaceful, General Sheridan directed Forsyth on August 24 to “employ fifty hardy frontiersmen to scout against the hostile Indians.” Be- ‘cause of their scouting activities for Sheridan, itis not surprising that Beecher was made second in command and Sharp Grover was designated as head guide, Colo- ne] Forsyth’s command consisted of civilian scouts who had signed up in Kansas and not of enlisted soldiers, ‘The first group, many of whom were from the Saline Valley, was enrolled at Fort Harker. About twenty more were enrolled at Fort Hays, and two replacements were made at Fort Wallace. On September 10, Forsyth and his company of fifty scouts left Fort Wallace. Seven days later, Forsyth, and Roman Nose of the Northern Cheyenne were the main antagonists in the battle that began on Septem- ber 17 on asmall island in the Arickaree Branch of the Republican River, about seven miles from the Kansas border. During false dawn of that historic morning, the command was surprised by a horse raid conducted by a few ambitious young Indians. Immediately after the sighting of hundreds of Indians on the horizon, the scouts, under the command of Forsyth and Bee: cher, were forced to set up defenses on the ishand, ‘They dug pits in the sandy soil and made breastworks Of the careasses of their horses and mules, The scouts were able to repel the Indians but suffered heavy 1. “Repors of First Lieutenant Fred. H. Beecher, Sl Inantry of Scouts Mode by Him in Obedience to Orders Receved by Han frm Major General BH. Sheridan” fuly 28,1868, Philip ft. Sheridan Paper, Manuscript Divison, Library of Congress, Washington De Capt. H.C. Bankhead, “A Report on William Comstock’ Death, August 19, 1808," Fort Wallce, Leters Sent, 1868 186), 80:56--58, Records of the War Department Wishington, D.C. (micrfily.. 3-Bet. Brig. Gen. Grorge A. Forsyth, “The Report af the Or- ganization and Operations of Body of Scous neler My Command Ffom August 20th to September 30k ted with Bt. Brig. Gen Chauncey MeKecver, AA.G. Departinen of the Missouri March S31, 1859 (copy fram Revord Group 4, Records of the Adjutant Generals Office, National Archives) ational Archives, 177 losses, most of which were incurred during the first morning while protective cover was being developed. The attacking force of several hundved Indians ‘consisted of Northern Cheyenne, the Brule and Oglala tribes of Sioux, a few Northern Arapaho and Kiowa, and the aggressive Dog Soldiers. The Indians attacked with vigor during most of the first day but were unable to storm the island. Much of the Indians’ enthusiasm Five views by Rufus F. Zogbaum (1849-1925), an illustrator noted for his military scenes, accompanied Forsyth’s account of the battle published in the June 1893 Harper's New ‘Monthly Magazine (figs. 1-9)178 Kansas History Fig. 5 “The Rescue” for the fight was lost when the great Northern Chey: enne warrior, Roman Nose, was killed while leading a ‘charge during the early afternoon of the first day. Af- ter serious challenges on the first day and sporadic fighting on the second, most of the Indians left. Hoxe- fever, enough stayed to maintain the siege until the fifth day, when they too moved out. The scouts with stood the attacks of the Indians. but because their horses and mules were all dead, they had to remain on the island until relief came on September 25, the ninth day. According to Forsyth’s report, Lt. Frederick H. Beecher and four others were killed, and sixteen of the ‘command were wounded.‘ Colonel Forsyth had a bullet in his right thigh, a leg broken below the knee, and a scalp wound that gave him an intense headache The number of Indian casualties will never be known, but there are many and varying estimates. tb George Bent at only n George Bird Grinnell claimed thi Bs formants convinced him that the In nn seven hundred and eight hundred. braves. Forsyth counted and reported thirty-two dead Indians! Most agree that the impact of the death of Roman Nose was immeasurable, since the young Cheyenne warriors had been sustained by his “great medicine.” Roman Nose was a member of the Hi-moi-yo-quis or Crooked Lance Society, but he liked the Dog Soldiers so well that he lived with them during the war years.” Although the history of Roman Nose is full of contro- versy, the warrior had many characteristics that were constant. His attitude toward whites did not vary—he didn’ like them. Hi in for white officers was shown by his conduct during a meeting with Maj, Gen. Winfield Scott Hancock on April 14, 1867, near Paw wee Fork. Donald Berthrong writes that “Roman Nose, according to both George Tent and [Edmond] Guer- Tier, threatened to kill Hancock and was only pre vented by Bull Bear, who prevailed upon the warrior to consider the consequences upon their women and children." The characteristic that encompassed Roman Nose’s whole being was his sincere belief in his protective medicine. The source of his great medicine was his ‘magnificent but sacred one-horned war bonnet. This protective medicine gave him overwhelming confi dence and made him a dauntless warrior. His actions in battle were so fearless that he gave strength and spirit to others. Stan Hoig summarized the many strengths of Roman Nose when he called him the “warrior of warriors.” Although he was not a chief or medicine man, Roman Nose was the heart of the fighting spirit of his people. His part in the battle has heen deseribed many times with much flair and imagination. Since few whites actually knew much about him, and fewer still ‘were able to recognize him, there is doubt as to who, if snyone, actually recognized him at the battle. In 1927 a former scout, Sigman Schlesinger, wrote: E, Hyd, Life of Geng Ben, Writen from His Lets, le (Norman Oniversty of Oklahoma tres, 1968), 305; Geonge Bird Grinnell, Th Fighing Cheyenne (New York hares Scribner's Sons, 1915). 281; Wintel Freeman, “The Balle ‘of Aricharce” Kana Pistren! Cilio, 1897-1900, 6:57. 1: Rarmt, "Report of the Organization and Operations of a Body of Sout 1. Hyde, Lie of Googe Beat, 808-17. 8 Donald J. Berthrong. he Sutern Chyeans (Norma: Uni versity of Oklshona Pres 168), 276 9 Stan Hig The Foe Cif of the Cheenes (Norman: Univer svy of Okla Pres, 1080), 9Roman Nose counter e=( OTIG Fig. 6, This recent painting by Danny Miller depicts Roman Not, Medicine Man, end an unidentified ‘Dag Soldier leading a charge on Beecher Island. As Roman Nate has lst the protective per of his war ‘bomnat his death i imminent. Thus, the spirit ofthe war bonnet is shown floating mystcally ver the ‘sland. Miller, an Oblahoma Chace, sted under the Cheyenne arts Richard West and taught art at Haskell Indian Junior Clee, Lacoence. His works were included i the 1985 exhibit, “A Ciele of Ties” at the Kansas Museum of Hist My recollection & impression of this incident was al It is doubtful if ways that nobody Knot[s} who Killed R.N. The mem- i ory abides with me that we did not Know the name of the chief in command of the Indians, at least ‘no name mentioned in my hearing: I am therefore Somewhat puzzled why some of our men mention RUN. Thinking the matter over & analizng (se) that contention is, thatthe reason may be owing co the fact. that history of Beecher Island lying dormant until 2olonel Forsyth knew or recog- sd Roman Nose. According to Col. Homer Wheeler, “it was not positively known [to the scouts] for some time after the battle that Roman Nose was the head chief in the Beecher Island fight..." In his belated official report of March 31, 1869, then Brevet Briga- ier General Forsyth did not mention Roman Nose ‘When he wrote his memoirs in 1895, however, he de- about 1895 or later when Gen. Forsyth published his seribed him in great detail" As Forsyth had been account of the fightin Harpers Magazine in which he wounded, had suffered a brain concussion, and had mentioned Roman Nose. The public up to this time become disoriented, his description should be viewed Knew nothing or vey litle of the fight on dhe Aricka- with caution. ree, but his story was so interesting that is fame George Bent’ account of the fight should be con- spread & was recognized as an event in Indian. war fare 11 Homer W. Wheeler, Buffalo Da: Foy Yar inthe Old West The Pesamal Nari of Catena, Indu Fighter td Ae Officer 10, Sigman Schlesinger, leter sent to the editor ofthe Kansas (Indianapolis: Bobbe Mersill Co 1925), T ar, February 1927, in response to aarti of Jamiaty 30, 12. George A. Forsyth, "A Frontier Fgh (auihor’ cllection Magazine 91 June 1898) 41~63. Harper New Monthly180 Kansas History Roman Nose by George Bent sme bene tthe Indian camp oak Roma ory to the fig tt nw il en the day that be ame Bese of the fit cht Sue ‘ora had we an ro fork ho serving fd bi at» Teast fen dap ei, Roman Nove fl ths pote ‘eo hed eens welche be wn edger ithe tere he igh Tal Bulla White Ho anor Dag Sie aes Lc th ae led with Ran Nose hone ated. There wat ret de of exctenert Zerg de Indians the new wt paced thatthe eat ‘oman Now hal come up... ial swat he cor, ‘eof the chief sted hime wal ea rater charge, He inurl omen: Dongs Em mer ar tomate rode he hes ofthe nds ree wasn ain ih ay nh chase he wee ee arog in the one made in the morning. As they chged dwn onthe dn if tales Roman Se oe tear ces ing nt de onthe er fan nos ‘hot inh ml fhe back re pase’ Some ween Halex cm op oro sere eee ad Foran ‘Noe mas aon bck to the camp. ingred hough the ‘igh sed a capbeah net ay. aman Nose wath mest farts Chane wari of his days Ava ty Roman Nove wat ced Sout he Bar) but when be became a art magne the tne Wis mening Hook Nose wich the wie sate reed Roman Neve Cmtrary to he general pinion, Roman Nove ra neve a chi or waste even the ed ‘han fay of he sider societies Hewes member ofthe imoiyorgs or Groked Lance Soca, calle! fr the pecan eared bythe lsd way me times clled he ne Scrapers ana pela pce elk hora made in he shape of lard an wed inthe des thirst 1a Delonge ote Croke ance Saba eemoni ofthis soy nh North n 965 | Teta the sesintance of Roman Noe Atte tine of ‘the pres wars inthe B's he was nn res aor tor he Inlane of the Pa, nd hi re oreo the whi tha thy cred hn iy Being ee the fighs where the Chenin mere engaged Tae na ‘pened abel ft ns ne Ptr man oe ‘ear Fr Pit Rear, in December 1865, tg that ince was living ly wih i Dg Sore wah of the Plane in the summer of 1868 he had come th mh ‘lack Sho Suan ae Gray Beart and of Dog Ses se ever went north gin, Hee he Dog Sei, ‘wo mete the write ad os, ‘iguensin on? {Se ade coined ote vith them vl Beth es him very wll an fon him tobe an of fe hermes quiet anda Al be Cheyer bth ‘enon ween, Belt him nthe highest exer ad a fim 3 great deat to thi day, Raman Nos ana ore in ae te tin war we wich wm ak Fup Noch i 1860 by White Buffalo Bul (or Ke Bear, whois sil ivig at ‘Tongue River Agency ad is one ofthe most famous ofthe adie Northern Chejenne reicine men, ind ever made, {ne 1 make this peel war Bont. Instead of ving too bilo hor attached! tothe iead-band, one on each side it had but oe, rising over the center of the forehead it Thad very long tail that nearly touched the ground even ‘when Roman Nose was mounted. This til wat made of strip of young bufTalo bulls hie, an ha eagle feathers et al along its length firs four rel feathers then four Back ‘nes, then four Fe feathers again, and 0.n, fry eaters inal In making this Famous wat bonnet, White Bul did ‘ot use anything that had come from the ites no clot, thread, or metal Usually war bonnets required litle ‘medicine-making when going into hate but Roman Nose bonnet eas very sacred and required much ceremony. In ‘aking i ur of ts hide case i as held over ve eal on which was sprinkled a pinch of powder from a medicine toot then the bonnet eas aie! ow thes ote, ‘next unwrapped from ies covering and Beld up to the forth nest, south al east afer whi Ronan Nese care fully put it om his head. With the war bone went sacred medicine paint for the face, sthich ses forthe forehead, Indian ellow. red across the nox, ane black actos the mouth and chin. A strict set of rules Of cont went with the war bonnet: cetaim things Romani Nose was forbidden 1 must not go into a bdge where a baby had been thor und four day hd passed: and there were ther rue, ‘White Bull particulary cautioned Roman Nose never o eat anything that had Been touched by mec and was od hat ihe negli rl he woul be le hi eat ‘And this was the reason hy Roman Nose, al eager for Battle, ook mo part inthe fighting daring the aly part of theca. He feral believed that his meine ‘was 20 weakened that he woud be killed i he went ito the tate yet, when Bull Bear and White Hore came to hin late in the day and begged him to lead a charge. he cou ot resist the tempestion and went to his death, Rowan [Nose had never belore been wounded except bya arom in fight with the Pawnees, ec he was alvays in froin bate fd rarely bad a hore dot vier him, Raman Nove was Killed in the pine of He; he wae strong as bul all ever fora Cheyenne, broad-shuldered ad deep chested Reprited with permision from Lie of Gerge Bet, Water from His Lair, by George E- Hide, ed by Save ‘Loti 302-8, 307-8. Gopyright 1968 by the Univer- ity of Oklahoma Press.Roman Nose 181 sidered seriously, as it appears that he was probably at the battle. In his letter of July 22, 1868, Beecher re- ported that he had talked to Bent near Fort Larned, placing him in the area and during the time that the Indians were gathering.” Everette 8. Sutton, a histo- rian who collaborated with Mari Sandoz, Col. Ray G. Sparks, and George E. Hyde, concluded that “there is no question but what George Bent was at the fight.” In his correspondence with Hyde, Bent wrote of Roman Nose in great detail." Since Bent also belonged to the Crooked Lance Society, he knew Roman Nose well. Bent’s descriptions of Roman Nose are presumed tobe the most authoritative available. His letters tell of the batile and the death of Roman Nose, but more nificantly, Bent describes the warrior and his famous war bonnet and its medicine. In keeping with the mystique that surrounded his being, ic is appropriate that after his death, the loca- tion of Roman Nose’s body and his war bonnet was kept secret from the whites. The sanctity of his spirit was protected. Based on conversations with Indians about Roman Nose, Simon F. Matson wrote: “After his death about sundown he was taken to the South Fork of the Republican close to where Hale, Colorado, and Bonny Dam are now located. There he was buried on a scaflold as was the Indian custom. An Indian squaw, Medicine Woman, helped Roman Nose's wife to bring her lodge poles to raise the scaffold for his burial” Bent and Grinnell agree that Roman Nose and others ‘were buried on scaffolds in the valley of the South Fork of the Republican.” In 1912 Brig. Gen. L. H. Carpenter related that ‘when he was on his way to relieve Colonel Forsyth and his command, he found Indian scaffolding such as was used for the burial of the dead. He further reported: “On the opposite side [of] the river and up a small ravine we found a small tepee of clean, white robes, and on a frame inside lay the body of a warrior ‘wrapped in buffalo robes. He was evidently someone of consequence, anc later was identified as Roman Fred. H. Beecher” Sheridan 1. Letter from Everette S. Sutton, August 8, 1984. Geonge Bent was the son of Wiliam Bent a founder of Bent’ Fort, and Ov Ieyenne. From 1005 stil 1918, George Bent conves- scorge Hyde about lie at the fort, his experiences Cheyenne kinsmen, and the miliary suppression ofthe In 1B. Hyde, Lif of George Bet, 306-8, [Simon E Matson, "The Indian’ Story of Beecher Ian Conflies” The Becher Isla Anwual: Niner Anniversary of he Balle of Bacher Iilnd, September 17, 18,1868 (Beecher Want: Bee cher Inland Battle Memoria) Association, 1960), 114 7 Hyde, Life of Googe Bent, 905; Ginn iphing Cheyenne, 280, Nose. . ..™ According to Schlesinger and others, the Scouts and troops on their return to Fort Wallace con- tinued the wanton destruetion of the Indian burials.” 1 is difficult to determine if Bent and Grinnell were sincere in their reporting, orf they were protect- ing Roman Nose in order to deprive the scouts of the satisfaction ofa last indignation. In reference to Car~ penter’s report, Bent wrote: Carpenter stopped long enough to pull the bodies to the ground and Jeave them there. One of Carpen: ters scouts identified one of the bodies as that of Roman Nose. The body was really that of Killed by a ‘ Northern Cheyenne. This body had been put fon a scaffold and a new lodge erected over the seaf- fold. His medicine drum was hung over his head. Be- cause ofall these attentions Carpenter and the scout ‘made the mistake of thinking the body was that of Roman Nose, just as Forsyth and his scouts mistook the medicine man, Wolf Belly, for Roman Nose.” Grinnell concluded that it was Killed by a Bull who was buried in the lodge, and that the troops were mis- taken in believing the body to be that of Roman Nose." ‘There appears to be agreement that the special war bonnet did exist, yet in their memoirs none of the scouts reported having seen it at the burial grounds, ‘The bonnet was so unusual that if it had been recox- cred, it would have commanded attention. To add to the confusion, more than one Indian was hamed Roman Nose; according to John Moore of the University of Oklahoma, “Apparently, there are nine men named Roman Nose on the 1880 census, so the name was one of the more common Cheyenne names." The individuals whose identities and ac complishments have been confused most often with Roman Nose of the Northern Cheyenne are Roman Nose, the Sioux Chief; Henry C, Roman Nose, the Southern Cheyenne chief; and Little Chief. ‘Three different photographs and various altera- tions of each have been used to portray Roman Nose, the Norther Cheyenne. ‘Two of the three technically are of a Roman Nose but not of the Northern Chey- cenne of Beecher Island fame. The third photograph was originally identified as Lite Chief but later was labeled Roman Nose. The three pictures are identified 18. LH. Carpemer to George Manin, Secretary, Kanses State ovcal Society Apeil 22, 1012, Behar ll Anal, 1 “Scout SehlesingerS Story” Becher land Ania 38 20, Hyde, Life of Gorge Bent, 08. 31. Grinnell ighing Chey, 280, 22 Shelley Arlen, "Roman Now,” reference report, March 29, 1983, Westera History Golectons Library, University of Oklahoma, Norman182 ansas History Fig, 7. Dakotas atthe Fort Laramie treaty council, phatgrphed by Alexander Gardner in 1868. Lh wright: Spted Tel, Brule; Roman Nov, Miviconou; Old Man Afraid of His Pores, as Roman Nose, the Sioux chief (fig. 7); Henry C Roman Nose (fig. 8); and Little Chief (fig. 11). ‘The photograph labled fig. 7 was apparently made at Fort Laramie in 1868 and shows seven Dakota Sioux. As was the common practice with many photo- graphs of the era, only part of the original was re- ‘ined, and in this case, the tribal designations were dropped and only the names were used. Thus, the group picture that was used to identify Roman Nose Consisted of Spotted Tail, Roman Nose, and Old Man Afraid of His Horses, For a time this was believed to be a picture of the Roman Nose of Beecher Island and as such was used in some recognized publications" Stan- ley Vestal, who was certain that this was a picture of the Beecher Island Roman Nose, wrote: Earlier that same year he had attended a council at Fort Larumie, where he was photographed along sith Spotted Tail, Old-Man-Afraid-of His-Horses, and other chiefs, This, almost cerainly the only photo- graph of Roman Nose in existence, shows a big man early middle life, with an easy, confident bearin (Oplala: Lone Horn, Miniconjou: Whistling Elb, Minaconou; Pipe, Oglala; love Bul, Ogtala (eg. 3678, National Anthropolgical Archives, Smihionian Institution, Washington, D.C). high forehead, the prominent brows of a fighter, a firm chin, and a large nose; he squints at the photog. Gardner, with a quizzca, somewhat contemp. ‘uous simile. He wears beaded buckskin leggings, a rt, a buffalo robe—and a single uprig ile feather in hi back bai." However, itis now generally accepted that the pho tograph is of a Miniconjou Sioux chief named Roman Nose, as originally identified. Moore declared: "The man is a chief (single vertical feather) and therefore cannot be the Roman Nose. Also he is too old." Fur: ther, in a statement about this photograph, the Smithsonian Institution has concluded that “a photo- graph made at Fort Laramie in 1868 was for some time thought to include Roman Nose, the famous 28, Stanley ental, Warpath ard Council Ft: The Pains Pos Senge for Survive in War and Diploma, 1851 1891 (New York Random Howe, 1048), 135: Berthrong,Seudhers Cheyenne low ing 368 24, Veal, Warpath od Council Fre, 138 98, Arlen, "Roman Nose"Roman Nose 183 Cheyenne. ... However, it now seems certain that this man is Roman Nose, a Miniconjou Sioux. Although the picture of Roman Nose, the Sioux, has been used mistakenly to portray Roman Nose, his activities have not been confused with those of Roman Nose, the Northern Cheyenne. Pethaps the best known of all those called Roman ‘Nose was the Southern Cheyenne who took the name Henry C. Roman Nose. This Roman Nose, a full-blood Southern Cheyenne, was born on June 30, 1856, somewhere in western Kansas, His Cheyenne name was Woquini, translated “Hook Nose” or “Roman Nowe.”” In May 1875, this Roman Nose was imprisoned in St. Augustine, Florida. He was chosen at random and no special charges were brought against him. While prison he received the equivalent ofa third-grade el cation. Embarrassed by not having a given name, Roman Nose took the name of his white friends and patrons, Amy and Horace Caruthers, and perhaps that of Richard Henry Pratt. “Roman Nose was bap- tied Henry Caruthers by the Rev. John H. Denison, chaplain of the Normal School . . in March, 1879." Henry C. Roman Nose attended Carlisle until March 15, 1881, when he returned to his people. He was dis- appointed that he could not find employment as a tin- nner and that he had no house.” Henry C. Roman Nose was given a chief's medal nil was recognized as a leader and chief of his people.” On February 10, 1899, Commissioner W. A. Jones issued a commission naming him as chief of the Cheyenne. He died June 12, 1917, at his home in Roman Nose Canyon at the age of sixty-one.” Romar Nose State Park, near Watonga, Oklahoma, was established in 1937 in the canyon where Henry C. Roman Nowe lived! while attempting to Jead his South= ‘ern Cheyenne people into the white man’s ways. At the ume time, he was also trying desperately to retain the proud traditions of his people. 26, "Photographs of Reman Now.” National Anthropological Archies, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. (rimeo- raphe), 7. Elsworth Collings, “Roman Nose: Chief of the Southern Cheyenne” Chronicle of Ohtsine 42 (Wieker 196488): 488. Cal lings prepared 4 well-researched paper on Chief Henry Roman [Noses for further deta, ve 429-57 28. Karen Daniels Peterson, “The Wriings of Henry Roman Nose,” Chace of Oklahoma 42 (Winter 1964" 08): 488208. The nicl was published in the same ise ae Cling’ paper (45878) ‘oth are Morough but relate to different aapects Of Fenty Roman Now’ ie "20. "Record of Indian Progress” Southern Wirknan 8 (May 1879) 55, 30, Peterson, “Writings of Henry Roman Nose” 472 SI. Ibid, 477 32 Collings, "Roman Now 446-47 The exploits of Henry C. Roman Nose and Roman Nose are often confused, since both were Cheyenne: Although Henry C. Roman Nose was only twelve years fold at the time of “the fight when Roman Nose was killed,” many accept a common time span and are mis- led into believing that their accomplishments were those of one man. An example of this erroneous idea may be found in a recognized source which gives the following summary: Roman Nose This was a war chief of the Himoiyoqis, better known asthe Cheyenne, called "Roman Nose” because ‘of the shape of his nose. The Indian name was Woqini ‘or “hooked nose.” Roman Nose State Park in Ok hhoma was named after chief Roman Nose. He sas Killed in a battle withthe soldiers at Beecher Islan, Golorado, in September, 1868, ‘The story of the Henry G. Roman Nose photo- ‘graph is an interesting one. The picture of Hen Roman Nose standing alone, wearing white man's clothes, his chiefs medal, and a “messiah” hat, is the principal photograph used in identifying him. The picture originally was part of a group photograph of three Southern Cheyenne: Henry C. Roman Nose, Ye 58, Joh L Stotenturgh Je, Ditoney ofthe Americ Inion (New Work: Phinophical Library, 1960), 358. S72, 335 Fig. 8. This group of three Southern Cheyenne sh (lf to right) Henry C. Roman New, Yillow Bear, and Lame Man (Gohee). The left figure has someties been published alone with the caption "Romar Nose,” thus giving the erroneous impression that this was the Roman Nase wh was Kile at Beecher Island. Photograph by DeLancey Gill, Bureau of American Ethnology, Washington, D.C. (neg. 345, National Anuhvopolgical Arcs, Snithsonian Institution)184 Kansas History ow Bear, and Lame Man, also known as Cohoe (fig, 8), According to Hoig, the photograph was taken “af- ter their release from Fort Marion, Florida." An ad- aptation of the photograph is described by the editors ofthe Chronicles of Oklahoma as “a photograph of Chief Henry Roman Nose taken when he served on a Chey= cenne delegation to Washington in 1899. He is wearing the Chiefs medal and the round ‘Messiah’ hat which hhe wore in his late years. . °° This date appears to be supported by the facts that Chief Henry Roman Nose would have been about forty CHRONICLES of OKLAHOMA Volume utr Number 4 Published Quarterly by the OKLAHOMA HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Orr oy oMthone Posh, Me 8) Fig. 9. The cover of the Winter 196465 issue of the Chronicles of Oklahoma skews «standing Henry C. Roman Nowe obsinsly clipped from the group picture (fig. 8). The image was apparently reversed and then printed over a lake and weed ar, that he was wearing his peace or chiefs medal which Big Jake, the previous Cheyenne chief, had given him bout 1897 photograph on Cheyenne, but the picture of C Nose was clipped from the group and widely distrib» tuted. This photograph of a proud man standing alone ‘commanded interest and was used by some as a sup: porting: pict however, realized the true identities and warned, “This Roman Nose [Henry C.] should not be confused with the warrior who was killed at Beecher's Island. The Winter 196465 issue of the Chronicles of Okla ‘homa has an interesting adaptation of the photograph ‘on its cover (fig. 9.” Itis obviously the photograph of a standing Henry C, Roman Nose clipped from the group picture. The negative apparently has been re versed. He holds his pipe in his left hand instead of his right; his medal hangs to his left instead of 10 his right; and the photograph is superimposed over a pic- ture of a lake and a wooded area The photograph labeled fig. 10 has often been in- accurately identified. ‘The original picture was proba bly taken in 1851 when White Antelope, Alights on the Gloud, and Little Chief visited in Washington, D.C Hoig notes that this isthe “earlier Little Chief: Hoig and Hyde both used this photograph in their books and identified the three as White Antelope, Alights on the Cloud or Man on a Cloud, and Little Chief.” The 1851 date appears accurate as the time that this photograph was taken. The three were in Wash ington, D.C,, that year, and Hoig describes them as “the first of their tribe who dared to visit the Great Father." According to Grinnell, Alights on the Cloud was killed in a battle with the Pawnee in 1852, and White Antelope was killed at Sand Creek in 1864." The disturbing aspect of this photograph the picture of Little Chief was distributed as heing of “Roman Nose” (fig. 11). There is no doubt that the photograph identified as Roman Nose in Dee Brown's Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee is from the described photograph and is that of Little Chief." The Roman tally was of the three South e Henry Roman for Beecher Island writings. Hoig, 34, Hoig,Prece Chis, 70 35. Table of Contents page, Chromic of ONahoma 42 (Winer 1964-65), 371 Sb. Hog Face Chis, 79. 87; Cone, Choncet of Oldahoma 42 (Winer 1964~6, 38. Hoig. Peace Chi, 5. Information involving both Lite (Chiefs ant ther sdensitcs as thoronghly researched by H ‘30, Thi; Hyde, Life of Gorge Bt, Kllowing, 198 40. Holg, Pree Chi, 54 41. Grinnell Fighting Chnemes, 7. 171 42, Dec Brown, Bury by eat t Nownded Kee (New York: Hol Richart ane Wise, 1970), 135.Roman Nose 185 Fig. 10. White Antelope, Alig on the Cloud, and the earlier Lite Chief (loft righ). The photographer and date are net recorded, but the photograph was probably taken in 1851 while ‘the three Cheyenne were en route to or in Washington, D.C. (nog. 240A, National Anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Inston Nose version of Little Chiefs picture in Brown's book is described as “Roman Nose, of the Southern Chey- cennes. Either photographed or copied by A. Zeno Shindler in Washington, D.C., 1868, courtesy of the Smithsonian Institution. "© Icappears that photographer A. Zeno Shindler was responsible for the creation of the indiv and of the new identity. The confusion is tuying to determine which of the Roman Chief was supposed to be. The Roman Nose pictured is described as "Southern Cheyenne," while the Roman Nose of Beecher Island was Northern Chey- enne. The Southern ally Chief Henry C. Roman Nose. ‘No phovographs are known to exist of Roman Nose ‘Thunder, but some of his deeds are recorded, contrib- Ling to the confusion. On November 26, 1868, Gen George Armstrong Custer, with eleven companies of the Seventh Cavalry, attacked Black Kettle’ village on the bank of the Washita, During this battle, Maj. Joe! H, Elliott with sixteen men moved down the river to cut off fugitives. Elliott and his command were sur- rounded and killed. It is recorded! in Bent’ letters that 1 the begi of this encounter, “Roman Nose Thunder, a Cheyenne, rushed in and counted coup on a private” In 1913, Roman Nose Thunder told Vestal about the action and concluded, “The fight did not Fig. 11. A photograph of th earlier Litle (Chef, often inaccurately identified as being of @ Southern Cheyenne and of ‘Roman Noss (neg. 240B, National Antiveplegical Archives, Smithsonian Institution), last longer than it would take a man to smoke a pipe four times. Always remember, J struck the enemy first There is no record of Roman Nose Thunder hav- ing been confused with the Northern Cheyenne Roman Nose, but Chief Henry C. Roman Nose wis given credit as having been “famous for his part in the Baule of the Washita as a member of Black Kettles Band." Conflicting descriptions, mistaken identities, and. historical controversies have clouded today’s perspec- tive on the great Northern Cheyenne warrior, Roman Nose. It is clear that the confusion surrounding al- leged photographs of “Roman Nose” has contributed in no small way to the problem. It is now apparent that no known photographs of Roman Nose of Beecher Is land exist. Forsyth and the scouts are gone. Roman Nose’s war bonnet and his protective medicine are gone, but still his legend confounds writers and researchers, Roman Nose would have liked that. Ka 43. tb 4 Mh 45. Hide, Lip of George Bent, 320, 46. Vestal, Warpath on Canna Fite, 190 47. "Roman Nose State Park Watorga, Oklahoma, Chamber of Commerce (riteograpiied).