Big Hawk Chief facts for kids

Kutawikucu Resaru, also known as Hawk Chief (1853–1895), was a brave Pawnee Scout. He served with the United States Army. Hawk Chief is famous for something amazing: he might have been the first person ever to run a mile in under four minutes! This incredible feat happened while he was a scout.

Even though there are eyewitness accounts of his super-fast run, many people don't know about it. Some believe someone else should get the credit for the first "sub-four minute mile." Hawk Chief was a member of the Pawnee Nation. He served as a Pawnee Scout during the Plains Indian Wars. His story as "the fastest man alive" is still talked about today.

Who Was Hawk Chief?

His Early Life

We don't know much about Hawk Chief's childhood. But we do know his birth name, Kutawikucu Resaru. He was born in 1853 and passed away in 1895, at 42 years old.

He was a Čawî’ Pawnee. This means he was born in a South Band town. Today, that area is where Lashara, Nebraska, is located. We know he joined the armed forces to become a runner.

Hawk Chief's Amazing Career

Native Americans in the Military

Native Americans played a very important role in the American military. This was true from the very beginning. Many Native people were hired or asked to help. They often assisted in conflicts between colonists or Americans and other Native American groups.

Native scouts and runners were especially important during certain wars. These included the Pequot War (1634–1638) and the American Revolutionary War. They also helped during the War of 1812. Hawk Chief was one of these brave scouts. He served during the Plains Indian Wars.

Joining the Pawnee Scouts

Hawk Chief joined the Pawnee Scout Battalion in 1876. The use of Native American scouts was very common for a long time. However, it eventually ended in 1947. That's when the last active scout retired.

The Sub-Four-Minute Mile

During his time as a Pawnee runner, Hawk Chief did something incredible. He became the first person officially recorded to run a mile in less than four minutes!

An Army Officer named Captain Luther North wrote down the details. He timed Hawk Chief's mile run at 3 minutes and 58 seconds.

Captain North's Account

Captain North described the event in his own words:

• "Black Hawk Chief... one of my favorites, was the fastest runner in the tribe, and I believe the world..."
• "While at Sidney after coming down from the Dull Knife expedition, another man and I timed him."
• "Both of us used stopwatches."
• "He ran the first half of the mile in exactly 2 minutes."
• "He ran the second half in 1 minute and 58 seconds."
• "So, he ran the whole mile in 3 minutes and 58 seconds."
• "This was so much faster than anyone had ever run before."
• "We didn't believe the track was right, so we measured it with a steel tape."
• "I had him run again."
• "To this day [written in 1930] no man has ever equaled it."
• "This is my reason for believing that he was the fastest man on his feet."
• "The army examined him carefully."
• "They said Hawk Chief was the most perfect example of a man they had ever seen."

Captain North's story is a primary source. This means it's a firsthand account of the event. It helps prove that Hawk Chief was indeed the first person to run a mile in under four minutes.

Hawk Chief's Importance

Hawk Chief's amazing achievement is a big part of his legacy. Even though his record is sometimes debated, his story shows the incredible skills of Native American athletes. His speed and strength were truly remarkable.