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Shaumonekusse Part 1

© Lisa Perkins

Shaumonekusse, or the Prairie Wolf, was born in approximately 1785 in the Nebraska territory near what is now Yutan, Nebraska. Although little is known of his younger years, he accomplished many things when he was older.

In 1803, Lewis and Clark met with the lesser chiefs of the Otoe tribe at the "Council Bluffs." It is possible that Shaumonekusse was at that meeting. By 1821, Shaumonekusse had many wives, indicating that he was a man of some wealth, as the Native American custom was that if you could not afford to keep all wives in the same manner, you were not allowed to take them as wives. His favorite wife was Hayne-hud-jihini, or the Eagle of Delight. Along with Petalasharo and other delegates from the Pawnee, Omaha, Kansa and Missouria tribes, Shaumonekusse and Hayne-hud-jihini went to Washington D.C. to visit President Monroe and agent Thomas L. McKenney of the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Shaumonekusse and Hayne-hud-jihini were very popular in the social circles and had their pictures done, which was considered a high honor.

Shortly after their return, Hayne-hud-jihini died, which shattered the heart of the great Shaumonekusse. He drowned himself in alcohol and became inconsolable.

Soon after the loss of his favorite wife, Shaumonekusse made an irrevocable decision. The year was 1882, and drunkenness was becoming a daily occurrence. During one of these drunken episodes, Shaumonekusse had a piece of his nose bitten off by his very own brother, Blue Eyes. Angrily, Shaumonekusse sent word to Blue Eyes that he would get revenge the next morning. Perhaps by sending word ahead of time, Shaumonekusse hoped to get his brother to leave town and avoid being killed. Perhaps the threat was only made in anger. Whatever the case, Shaumonekusse took his gun the next morning and sought out Blue Eyes with the intention of defending his honor. When he found Blue Eyes, who was leaning on the opening of his lodge with his hands crossed across his chest, Shaumonekusse must have become very angry. Was Blue Eyes mocking him? Did Shaumonekusse demand an apology? It is not known now what was said, but it is known that Shaumonekusse aimed his gun for the spot between Blue Eyes rare-colored eyes (the color of his eyes was rare for most Otoes, however, it was fairly common to the Mandan tribe) and pulled the trigger, killing his brother. Realizing what he had done, Shaumonekusse was filled with remorse and left his village.

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