User:Marilyn 1950

crazyhorse's birth and death was an epochal event considering the enormous impact his life made. he was born on bear butte,south dakota near present day sturgis,south dakota. he was born anywhere from 1838 to 1842. it is interesting to note that he was seen with spotted tail when he was about 6 years old  by eyewitnesses who placed  the time period at 1846. i think he was seen at fort laramie but i have to recheck my reference. that would make his birthdate 1840. he spent a happy childhood rarely seeing a white man, unless his family camped near the emigrant road where passerbys frequently mistook him for a white captive child.they were camped near the emigrant trail when, while waiting for their yearly annuities, the unfortunate death of conquering bear occurred. conquering bear was gunned down after refusing to give up a minneconjou, high forehead, for allegedly killing a mormon ox or cow. some sources say the indian meant to kill the mormon but hit the cow instead. grattan, an impetuos west point graduate, opened fire with his 30 comrades killing the friendly chief. he lingered several days before dying and appointed old man afraid of his horses, chief, to succeed him.this affected young curly enormously. he ,according to folklore,went into the sandhills of nebraska, to seek a vision. he spent about 3 days there fasting and refusing sleep. when the vision did not come quickly, he became discouraged and left to find his horse who was hobbled nearby, he fell aleep under a cottenwood tree, and rhen dreamed of a thunder being who could dance with his horse over water, thru lightening and thunder unharmed, arrows glancing off his body. the being who was himself, wore no war-paint or feathers in his hair. he had a zig-zag lightening bolt with blue hailstones on his cheek. he wore only a breechcloth and threw gopher dust on his horse and himself before battle.young curly woke up after this powerful dream with worm shaking him furiously and scolding him about seeking a dream without telling him ,or making preparations.