Yellow Wolf His Own Story By LUCULLUS VIRGIL McWHORTER ILLUSTRATED WITH ORIGINAL PHOTOGRAPHS The CAXTON PRINTERS, Ltd Caldwell, Idaho I 1940 YELLOW WOLF Photograph taken in 1908. I am telling you true I will die, you will die I This story will he for the people who come after us. For them to see and know what was done here. YELLOW WOLF YELLOW WOLF His Own Story DEDICATION TpO THE shades of patriotic warriors, JL heroic women, feeble age, and helpless infancy sacrificed on the gold-weighted altars of Mammon and political chicanery, 1863-77, are these pages most fervently inscribed. YELLOW WOLF His Own Story ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I WISH to express my appreciation to the following Nez Perce interpreters, named in the order of service. Their willingness and perseverance have helped to clear many a thorn from the path of interpretation THOMAS HART MANY WOUNDS RALPH ARMSTRONG CHARLEY WHITE SILAS WHITMAN HENRY WILSON Miss SOPHIA KAMIAKUN THOMAS BRONCHEAU THOMAS WATERS ALBERT SPENCER BELLY YELLOW WOLF Miss ADELINE ANDREWS STAR J. MAXWELL CAMELLE WILLIAMS PAUL AMBRO To many other persons I am much indebted for encouragement and assistance. In particular I wish to express my gratitude to Alonzo V. Lewis and Emil Kopac for photographs to W. P. Bonney, secretary, Washington State Historical Society O. G. Libby, secre tary, North Dakota State Historical Society Mrs. Anna Connell, assistant librarian, Historical Society of Montana and the staffs of the State Historical societies of Idaho and Washington for invaluable aid. My appreciation is also extended to the following for services of varied nature Major General R. H. Fletcher, military attache, Spanish Embassy H. Dean Guie J. H. Horner O. H. Lipps, super intendent, Nez Perce Indian Reservation Joseph G. Masters J. P. MacLean Harvey K. Myer, superintendent, Colville Indian Reserva tion John Robke Carl Schurra and J. L. Sharon to Nipo Strong heart, for research in the War Department archives, Washington, D. C and to my brother, Judge J. C. McWhorter my sons, O. T. and V. O. McWhorter and my granddaughter, Miss Judy Mc-Whorter, for innumerable favors. YELLOW WOLF His Own Story CONTENTS Page INTRODUCTION 13 Part One The War and the Warrior Chapter 1. YOUTH OF THE WARRIOR 24 2. GENERAL HOWARD SHOWS THE RIFLE . 34 3. BATTLE OF THE WHITE BIRD CANYON . 54 4. ANNIHILATION OF RAINSS SCOUTING PARTY 67 5. FIGHT WITH CAPTAIN RAND ALL S VOL UNTEERS AND ITS SEQUEL 75 6. BATTLE OF THE CLEARWATER …. 85 7. INDIAN WITHDRAWAL FROM THE CLEAR WATER 95 8. ACROSS THE LOLO TRAIL AND INTO MONTANA 102 9. AT THE BIG HOLE SURPRISE ATTACK . . 112 10. AT THE BIG HOLE SAVAGERY OF THE WHITES 128 11. CLOSING SCENES AT THE BIG HOLE … 148 12. FROM THE BIG HOLE TO CAM AS MEADOWS 161 CONTENTS Chapter 13. INTO YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK . . 170 14. THE CANYON CREEK FIGHT 181 15. NORTHWARD ACROSS THE MISSOURI . . 195 16. FORTY-EIGHT HOURS PROM FREEDOM . . 203 17. THE LAST STAND BEARS PAW BATTLE FIELD 210 18. THE LAST DAY THE SURRENDER … 220 Part Two The Fugitive 19. FLIGHT TO THE Sioux 229 20. TURNING BACK TO THE OLD HOME . . 238 21. A SANGUINARY TRAIL 248 22. SOLDIERS AGAINST INDIANS 260 23. A VOLUNTARY SURRENDER 274 24. EEIKISHPAH THE HOT PLACE … . 283 Appendices A. WYAKIN POWERS 295 B. YELLOW WOLFS WAR CLUB AND WAR WHISTLE 300 C. HENRY TABADOR 303 D. REPORT OF CAPTAIN WILLIAM FALCK … 306 E…