Old Toby facts for kids

Old Toby was a very important leader of the Western Shoshone people. His real name was Pikee Queenah, which means Swooping Eagle. He was a respected war chief of the Tuziyammo (Big Lodge) band. Old Toby is best known for helping the famous Lewis and Clark Expedition explore new lands in the early 1800s.

Helping Lewis and Clark

Old Toby played a key role as a guide for the Lewis and Clark Expedition in 1805. He helped them during the later part of their long journey. Other guides like Tetoharsky and Twisted Hair also assisted. Old Toby guided William Clark as he explored the Salmon River.

He then led the entire group from the Lemhi River Valley, near what is now Salmon, Idaho. They traveled over the Bitterroot Mountains to the Bitterroot Valley. From there, they crossed the Lolo Trail to reach the Clearwater River country. This area is located above Lewiston, Idaho.

After helping the expedition, Old Toby left and returned to his home. He passed away in 1858 from a sickness called typhoid.

What's in a Name?

Old Toby's original name was Pikee Queenah, or Swooping Eagle. The name "Toby" came from Thomas Rees' journal. Rees wrote his name as "Tobe," which was a shorter version of Tosa-tive koo-be. This phrase meant "furnished white white-man brains." It referred to his helpful work as a guide for the expedition. Later on, in books and stories, people started calling him "Old Toby."

Remembering Old Toby

People have honored Old Toby for his important contributions. In the 1930s, a monument was built to remember him. However, this monument was later taken down when US Highway 93 was being built.

A new monument was put up in his honor in 2009. You can find it in North Fork, Idaho. It is located near Highway 93 and the Salmon River Road. This monument helps people remember Old Toby's legacy and his role in history.