Dewey Beard facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dewey Beard (Iron Hail)
|
|
|---|---|
| Wasú Máza | |
Dewey Beard a.k.a. Iron Hail
|
|
| Minneconjou, Lakota leader | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1858 |
| Died | 1955 (aged 95-96) |
| Military service | |
| Battles/wars | Battle of the Little Big Horn |
Dewey Beard (born Wasú Máza, meaning "Iron Hail") was a brave Minneconjou Lakota man. He was born in 1858 and lived until 1955. He is remembered for being one of the last known survivors of two very important events in Native American history: the Battle of the Little Bighorn and the Wounded Knee Massacre. His life story helps us understand a difficult time for the Lakota people.
Contents
A Young Warrior at Little Bighorn
When Dewey Beard was a teenager, he fought in the famous Battle of the Little Bighorn. This battle happened in 1876. It was a major fight between several Native American tribes and the United States Army. The Native American warriors, including young Iron Hail, won this battle. They defeated General George Armstrong Custer and his soldiers.
After this big victory, Iron Hail followed the famous Lakota leader Sitting Bull. They went into Canada to live in peace for a while. Later, they returned to South Dakota. Iron Hail then lived on the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation.
The Ghost Dance and Wounded Knee
In the late 1880s, a spiritual movement called the Ghost Dance became popular. Many Native Americans hoped it would bring back their old way of life. Iron Hail and his family joined this movement. His family included his parents, siblings, wife, and young child.
In December 1890, things became very tense. Sitting Bull, another important leader, was killed. To avoid more trouble, Iron Hail and his family left their reservation. They traveled with Spotted Elk's band, which included about 300 Minneconjou and 38 Hunkpapa Lakota people. They were trying to reach the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation for safety.
Surviving Wounded Knee
On December 29, 1890, the group was stopped by the U.S. Army near Wounded Knee Creek. This led to the terrible Wounded Knee Massacre. Many Lakota men, women, and children were killed. Dewey Beard was shot three times, twice in the back. Sadly, many of his family members died that day. This included his mother, father, wife, and infant child.
After the massacre, Dewey Beard shared his experiences. He gave a detailed interview to a man named Eli S. Ricker. This interview helped tell the story of what happened at Wounded Knee.
Life After the Wars
Later in his life, Iron Hail changed his name to Dewey Beard. He did this when he became a Roman Catholic. He also joined Buffalo Bill's famous Wild West Show. He traveled with the show for 15 years. He even appeared in a silent movie in 1914 called The Indian Wars Refought.
Losing His Home
In the early 1940s, Dewey Beard and his wife, Alice, were raising horses. They lived on their land on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. But in 1942, the government took a large part of the reservation. This land was needed for an aerial gunnery and bombing range during World War II.
Dewey Beard's family was one of 125 Lakota families who lost their homes. The government paid them for their land. However, the payments were too small. They could not afford to buy new property. Because of this, Dewey and Alice had to move to a poorer part of Rapid City.
A Last Survivor
Dewey Beard passed away in 1955. He was 96 years old. At the time of his death, he was the last known Lakota survivor of the Battle of the Little Bighorn. He was also the last known Lakota survivor of the Wounded Knee Massacre. His long life and memories were very important. They helped keep the history of his people alive.
