A rendering of the Head Chief and Young Mule Charge by the late Northern Cheyenne artist Denver Horn Sr.
Young warrior’s death place to be registered as historic site
By Clara Caufield
Native Sun News Correspondent LAME DEER, Mont. –– In September, 1890, shortly after the Northern Cheyenne Reservation was established, two young Cheyenne, Head Chief (19) and Young Mule (13), rode to a warrior’s death at the hands of the U.S. Military rather than being hanged for killing a cowboy. They charged into deadly military fire from a high hill near present day Lame Deer marking the end of the warrior era but winning a place in the history and hearts of the Cheyenne people. That charge may soon be recognized nationally when the Head Chief – Young Mule Bravery Charge Site is listed on the Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (NPS). The Montana Preservation Alliance (MPA), Helena used an American Battlefield Protection Program grant to complete documentation to nominate the site. Chere Jiusto, MPA Executive Director recently made a presentation to the tribal community about that. “Six battle sites in the State are prioritized for nomination by MPA, in conjunction with the Northern Cheyenne and Nez Perce Tribes. The Head Chief – Young Mule site is one of the most fascinating,” she remarked. “It is of high significance to the Cheyenne people and the overall history of the west, Indian and government relations.” The nomination is dedicated to the late Steven Brady, former Chair, Tribal Cultural Commission who instigated the process. The other five sites relate to the Nez Perce trail in central Montana Jiusto explained. Jiusto said a nomination can be forwarded to the national level by the State Preservation office or the Tribal Historic Preservation Office (THPO). “In this case, it is most appropriate for the Tribe to do it,” she concluded. Don Shoulderblade, tribal Culture Commission said: “We fully support this nomination. Young Mule and Head Chief hold an honored place in Cheyenne history and this will help the world understand that time. The Council has already passed a resolution supporting the nomination, but we will get the rest done.” Additional steps include notification to site land owners, public review/comment and final modification which can take several months. Odds for a favorable NPS decision within a few months after submission are “very high” Jiusto predicts. Hearing about the nomination, Leroy Whiteman, a private landowner on the site said: “That’s great. Our grandfather, Black Bear, Wesley Whiteman, Sun Dance man and the last contrary warrior always told this story and often went to their graves to burn cedar and pray." Over the years Whiteman and other tribal members have worked to preserve the site, marking the charge route with white stones. A brief summary of the event follows but a full oral history account can be obtained from the Chief Dull Knife College Cultural Center (Mina Seminole, Historical Researcher at (406) 477-6215, ext. 148). In the fall of 1890, the Cheyenne relied upon the government “ration” system, near starvation as a result. Head Chief paid a courting visit to the daughter of Chief American Horse, Goa. Young Mule an orphan whose family was all killed during Cheyenne/U.S. conflict was along; he had attached himself to Head Chief described as a bitter young man, angry because he had missed the warrior days. Goa provided fried dough and coffee, all they had. Thus, the two young men went hunting to get meat for them. Then, non-Indians ranched and homesteaded on the Reservation, including the Gaffney family and a nephew, Hugh Boyle. After unsuccessful deer hunting, the Cheyenne came across some cattle, shooting and butchering one. Cattle poaching being a serious offense, they carefully avoided any settlement, spending the night in the hills. The next morning they encountered the young Hugh Boyle who was searching for milk cows. Boyle began berating the Cheyenne. Young Mule understood some English explaining to Head Chief that he called them “dogs.” Enraged, Head Chief shot the young cowboy and they hid the body in a cut bank. However, the cowboy’s horse escaped and ran back to ranch headquarters where tell-tale blood marked the saddle. When the body was found the Gaffneys demanded that the U.S. Military find and punish the killers. Head Chief admitted the deed to Cheyenne Chiefs who were loath to give him up, knowing he would be hung, an ignoble and unnecessary death in their view. When Indian Agent withheld rations from the entire Tribe because of the incident Head Chief agreed to turn himself in, but wanted to charge the U.S. Calvary finding a warrior’s death. “On ration day, I will play with the soldiers,” he said. The Chiefs negotiated this option and Head Chief told his family: “Don’t cry for me, but take Young Mule as a son to replace me.” Young Mule, though not guilty, could not be dissuaded from following his hero. “I have nowhere to go, Head Chief is my only friend,” he reportedly said Thus, on “ration day” in mid-September, 1890 the U.S. Military assembled at the bottom of “Squaw Hill” (since renamed Charging Horse Hill) including well-armed Calvary and Cheyenne police. The entire Tribe which had by then been issued rations gathered to encourage and honor the two young warriors. Singing their death songs, Head Chief, on horseback and Young Mule on foot charged down the steep hill into the deadly fuselage their bodies riddled with bullets. Their bodies were buried nearby and their graves could also become part of the historic site “That is when the Cheyenne knew the warrior way of life was over,” Linwood Tallbull, tribal historian summarized. “Never again would the Cheyenne ride against the U.S. Military. That event was considered an “Indian uprising” and led to the establishment of Camp Wesley Merritt, a fully garrisoned military fort on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation for an additional ten years.” (Clara Caufield can be reached @acheyennevoice.com) Copyright permission Native Sun News
Join the Conversation
