Interesting Facts about Crazy Horse

Namesake of Sioux falls
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Crazy Horse was an Oglala Sioux chief who, together with Sitting Bull and Gall, defeated General George Custer at Little Bighorn. During his short life of less than 40 years, he became known as a fearless and uncompromising leader committed to preserving the Sioux way of life.

1 Vision Quest

Crazy Horse stood out among his people because of his uncharacteristically fair complexion and brown, curly hair. This may have contributed to the the loner persona he cultivated during most of his life. While still young, he went on a four-day vision quest, and the vision he received foreshadowed events in his life, including his death. In his vision, he was instructed to lead his people, but in so doing, to maintain utmost simplicity. As a result, he never rode into battle wearing the elaborate regalia normally borne by Sioux leaders.

2 Premonition of Death

In his vision, Crazy Horse saw that he would never be harmed by bullets or arrows in battle, and he never was. He also had a disturbing premonition of being held down by his own people in front of the enemy. This strangely foreshadowed his death: He was restrained by a soldier and a member of his own tribe while a second soldier drove a bayonet through his kidneys. Crazy Horse died on September 5, 1877, while resisting incarceration in the guardhouse at Fort Robinson.

Chris Deziel has a bachelor's degree in physics and a master's degree in humanities. Besides having an abiding interest in popular science, Deziel has been active in the building and home design trades since 1975. As a landscape builder, he helped establish two gardening companies.

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