Egan (Paiute) facts for kids

Egan (died 1878) is the American name given to Pony Blanket. Pony Blanket was a Northern Paiute leader in the Oregon Country in the 19th century.

Life and death

Pony Blanket, known to American settlers as Egan, was born to a Cayuse family and did not know his birth mother. He married Evening Star, the sister of Chochoco (Has No Horse)'s first wife Dawn Mist, and was thus the brother-in-law of Has No Horse. With Evening Star he had at least two sons and a daughter.

In 1868, his lodge was at Fort Harney. Following the Snake War many of the Paiute had moved onto the Malheur Reservation in 1872, but white settlers began to take back land when they found gold and good grazing land there. Egan led a portion of his tribe and some Bannock people in fighting the white settlers in 1878.

During the battle, war chief Pony Blanket was severely wounded. Genega Taniwah (Dancer) and others tended his wounds and splinted his broken bones, and he did live, but would no longer lead from that day. Left Hand was promoted to war chief in his place.

Soon after, Egan was killed by an Umatilla scout working for the U.S. Cavalry, which ended the Bannock War.