Native American Biography: Chief Big Elk/Ontopanga

Big Elk was chief of the Omaha along the Missouri in Northern Nebraska.  He was friendly with the Whites and two of his daughters married French fur trappers.  He was prominent in the Bellevue area.  His teepee was decorated with two riverboats as a manifestation of this friendship.  Big Elk gave an important speech at the funeral of Black Buffalo, the grandfather of Crazy Horse.  During the time of Black Elk many changes happenned with the coming of White people trapping furs or working at trading posts.  Thee were several epidemics, including small pox which took a heave toll on the population of the Omaha.  There were also negotiations as whites increasingly wanted more territory.  As of 1834 the territory west of the Missouri was reserved as an Indian territory.  

Of course thee were already white people living in this area.  The Mormons arrived in 1846 and Big Elk was chief in negotiating with them.  The Omaha made arrangements for them to stay, first in Fotanelle/Bellevue and then at Winter's Quarters.  The Otto were also involved in the negotiations at Cutler's Park and Winter Quarters.  It was agreed the Mormons could stay, but closer to the river as the Otto claimed the area of Cugtler's Park.  For this reason Cutler's Park was abandoned in favor of Winter Quarters.

The Mormons, as well as Native Americans, came down with an illness in 1846.  Big Elk became sick at the end of the year and passed away.  He was 73.  Joseph LaFlesche, his adopted son, followed him as Chief.

Rendering of his teepee

by George Catlin

Book Review: Like a Lamb to the Slaughter: Revisiting the Martyrdom of Joseph Smith

 Like a Lamb to the Slaughter: Revisiting the Martyrdom of Joseph Smith by Craig R. Dunn, Eborn Books, United States of America, 2019.

Another look at the events leading up to the martyrdom of Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum, June 27, 1844.  No one was ever brought to justice for this crime, but many people were culpable.  This book gives a carful analysis of those responsible, starting with Governor Thomas Ford who insisted the come to Carthage and promised protection, but did not provide it.  In fact he did just the opposite.  He left Carthage with people who swore they were going to kill in Joseph Smith guarding the jail.  Was he that stupid or part of the conspiracy?  He seemed to be in on it according to this book.

Joseph Smith and the city council were first arrested for riot.  This charge was dismissed twice by different judges.  There was no riot.  However Governr Ford insisted the come to Carthage tto answer before the judge who issued the indictment.  They went, ans while on their way Joseph uttered the statement which is the title of this book, "I go like a lamb to the Slaughter."  They arrived late and the next day they were brought before Judge Robert F. Smith, not the judge that issued the warrant.  He was the heaqd of the Carthage Greys, also head of the antiMormon Party.  He set bail so high for the riot charges he didn't think they could make bail, but they all did.  However he then brought charges of treason, and bound them over without a hearing and without bail.  Consequently Joseph and Hyrum were remanded to jail.  All others were free to go.  

So a couple days later when the militia was released from duty they went directly to the jail to carry out the deed and went right past the guards who were in on the plot.  Thomas Sharp of Warsaw, editor of the newspaper was also instrumental in bringing about this fate.  

I would recommend this book.  It goes over the last details, and reveals Joseph Smith as a prophet of God.  It also namers the shooters at the well, but gives the alternative version of joseph already being dead.

Documentary Movie Review: Won't You Be My Neighbor (2018)

 This documentary tells many things about Fred Rogers that I did not know.  I really didn't care to watch his program growing up thinking it was too boring.  I guess there was a reason for that boredom.  Sometimes you need to slow down as compared to normal television for children which has too much noise and violence and belittle others.  His common theme was "I like you the way you are."  You are special.  Some people think this creted a generation of entitlemen, but we are all children of God and we are special in his eyes.  

Fred Rogers was a Presbyterian Minister but he did not preach religion but was an example of goodness.  It is amazing how himself he could be with children, especially.  He was genuinely a good person.  He spoke out with his example against racism, war, and discrimination against homosexuals.  He was ahead of his time.  He tried doing a similar program for adults; but it really didn't succeed.  His forte was with children.  He broadcast through the Vietnam War, 9-11, the Challenger disaster.  He helped children deal with loss and fear.  He did not shy away from talking with children with physical limitations and could make them feel loved and important.  

The documentary eveen dealt with parodies of Mr. Rogers.  This included Johnny Carson and Eddie Murphy.  Hiw reaction was some was funny, and some wasn't.

Most important he was not afraid to be human, and teaches us all how to be more human.  Very good Mr. Rogers.

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Bellevue

I came across a story of the Mormon Pioneers in the Lagan Fontenelle book I just read.  In 1834 the government by an act of congress laid aside the area west of the Missouri River as Native American territory.  Of course many white people already lived in Bellevue.  More showed up including the Mormons who had left Nauvoo and traveled across the state of Iowa:

A serious violation of this law  took place, however, in the spring of 1846, when 5000 Mormons, driven from Nauvoo, Illinois, where they had been attacked by mobs, traveled cross-country in the customary western style to the Missouri River, which they were unable to cross on theiur way to the promised land.

At the head of the contingent was Brigham Young himself, who accordingly sent a message of appeal to Colonel Sarpy, the man of power and influence in Bellevue, and the owner of the only ferryboat.  When Sarpy crossed the river to see for himself, he was appalled at the pitiable condition of the travel-worn women and children.  Without hesitation he and his staff of workmen ferried the wretched travelers to Bellevue, where he served them food and clothing from his warehouse.

Being in daily contact with Sarpy, Logan took part in this mass transportation.  Indians meanwhile watched and wondered.  Logan and his tribesmen beheld for the first time a large invasion of their land by white people from the east.

There could be trouble in as much as the Mormons expressed their intention to remain for a time.  Such an act would. be a grave violation of the law, and it would invite hostility fr4om the natives.  Realizin this danged, Colonel Sarpy immediately sought, and before long obtained, governmental permission for the Mormons; and, since this stopping here meant temporarily occupying Omahas' land he introduced Brigham Young to Big Elk.

Mormon Chief met Indian Chief.  They were not unlike in qualities of leadership.  Thus, when the Mormon told the Indian that his people had been cruelly oppressed  and compelled to leave their old homes, the Indian replied that he understood very well and he could sympathize, because his people had ben mistreated and driven from their old homes by the Sioux. 

The two men arranged a meeting between the Mormon elders and the council of Indian chiefs.  After much deliberation, The Indian council agreed with Big Elk that the Mormons should be allowed to tarry.

Big Elk then showed himself a noble spokesman.  Rising to his feet, he struck the pose of a great orator.  For almost five minute, he gave himself time to think, before addressing the assembly.  Logan, who was present, wondered if his grandfather would talk at all; but in the meantime all eyes were fixed upon the old chief.

"My honorable white guests!" he began solemnly.  "Our people have welcomed you.  Through their council of chiefs, the Omaha Indians grant you sanctuary.  As their head chief, I can explain what that means.  It means that your lives are safe among us.  It means that we shall be your friends.  It means that we can trade together.  It means that you need not hurry away.  You may stay a year, if it pleases you, ot two years.  I have spoken!"

Smiles and friendly nods followed Big Elk's hospitable speech.  However, a misunderstanding when the Mormons refused to smoke the pipe of peace, the Indian custom of completing an agreement or treaty.  Logan saved the situation, on demand of Brigham Young, by explaining that the Mormons' religion forbade the use of tobacco, whereupon the Omaha chiefs grunted their surprise.

But the Mormons would not let themselves be surpassed in acts of friendship.  Their women, with renewed energy, at once prepared a big feast of wonderfully cooked food; and so those Indians who had been invited now hoped the Mormons woud never leave Bellevue.

When the feasting was over, Iron Eye asked Logan in the Omaha language if he noticed anything different about these white people as against other whites.  "You know--they are not drinking whiskey?"  His friend nodded, "It is against their religion," Explained Colonel Sarpy, who had overheard them.  "I offended Mr. Young when Imnopened a jug especially for him.  They don't even drink coffee."

In that respect , Logan and Iron Eye agreed, the Mormons would not harm the Omahas.

The chiefs then showed the Mormons where they could make their homes.  This was a large wooded hollow in the bluffs but open to the east.  There they would be protected from nature's storms.  This place was then called Mormon Hollow, and it is still known by that name.  This land along the river, they were told, could be used for fields, if the remained long enough to cultivate the soil.

In general the Mormons treated their hosts rather well.  They gave them of their skilled cooking, which never failed to please the Indian appetite.  They exchanged clothing for meat and skins.  By signs and examples they explained their ways of working in field and home.  Willing Indian women thus learned a few secrets from their visiting white sisters.  New Moon (Logan's wife), likr many others, observed how the Mormon women dressed, acted among themselves, and treated their husbands and children.

In time Colonel Sarpy profited from the presence of the Mormons.  A capavle and farsighted businessman, he shipped in whatever merchandise the Mormons eventually could use; and this merchandise they bought from him in large quantities.

As time passed, however, too many Mormons hunted game and cut down trees for their houses.  The Indians now complained that they were being robbed; and they feared that, unless the plundering stopped, they would perish in their own homeland.

Matters became worse when a strange pestilence broke out--"a plague of scrofulous nature, which the Mormons called black canker."  This terrible disease claimed victims from both races.  Dozens of Omahas, including Logan's mother, Bright Sun, died of it after much suffering.  Yet their losses were small compared with those of the Mormons.  It was pitiful to see these people, far away from their homes, fall victims and leave sorrowing relatives in a strange land.  Families lost one or more children.  Husbands lost wives.  Children lost parents.  Wives lost husbands and children.  Brothers and sister were parted.  Friendships built on past trials and hardships were severed by the epidemic.

Then one day Brigham Young announced that the Mormons were leaving.  He blamed the river for the wide spread sickness, saying that the bluffs prevented the Mormons from living at a safe distance.  Consequently they would move to a place about thirty miles north, where they could live safely away from the Missouri, and yet near enough to ujse it for traveling purposes.  They named this new location "Winter Quarters," today known as Florence.

Mormon Hollow trail

Biographical Native American Book Review: Logan Fontenelle: An Indian Chief in Broad Clothe and Fine Linen: A Biographical Narrative

 Logan Fontenelle: An Indian Chief in Broad Clothe and Fine Linen: A Biographical Narrative by Charles Charvat PhD., American Printing Company, Omaha, Nebraska, 1961.

A very good historical book of Logan Fontenelle whose father was French and mother Omaha Indian, the daughter of Chief Big Elk.  Fontenelle had teaching from both cultures, but as an adult affiliagted mostly with the Omaha Tribe.  He received an education with his brother from a boarding school in St. Louis.  He was also educated in Native American ways by his mother and grandfather.  He was raised in the Bellevue area.  He married a girl of the Omaha, Gixpeaha/ New Moon.He worked for the government as interpreter.  He spoke Omaha and French from youth and had learned English and several other Native languages.  He had a home built for he and his wife in Bellevue, Fontanelle Forest area.  He and New Moon would have three daughters.

His grandfather Big Elk became ill and passed away.  Then Big Elk's adopted son, Joseph La Flesche/ Iron Eye became chief.  He also was half French and Logan and and he were very close.  Logan was close to many prominent people of early Bellevue, including those of the Presbyterian mission and he and his wife and daughgters were baptized.  He also affiliated with Colonel Sarpy who also ran a trading post.  

When the Omahas traveled to Washington to negotiate a treat giving up their land in Bellevue and moving to a reservation, Logan Fontenelle went with them not as an interpreter but as a chief.  He had a key position in negotiated.  For money and food and protection they gave up their land.  I do not know if the government fulfilled their commitment, but during Logan's life they did not.  The food and money did not come, so they were forced to hunt buffalo.  This put them in contact with the Sioux, their enemy.  Logan was killed during a skirmish at the age of 30.  He was buried close to his home.

Bellevue Log Cabin

 Bellevue log cabin was built in 1835 by the Missouri River.  It was prone to disease in this location so moved to higher ground.  It 1850 it was moved to its current location a block from Washington Park.  It was then used as a resien ce for 104 years.

 

Hackberries

hackberry tree is behind

Boys Town Hall of History

 Father Fanagan started Boys Town in 1917 as a non-sectarian place for boys.   Father Flanagan was from Ireland.  He started with a home in Omaha and then a larger home and then in 1921 he was able to get a square mile property west of Omaha.  They purchased Overlook Farm.  Boys Town started with a large dormitory style program.  Their program is now family home based with numerous small cottages.  Boys Town has it own city government with elected officers from the children.  

Boys Town has expanded to now include young women and girls.  They also are an international affair.  They have operations all over the United States.  They man the National crisis hot line.  From a start with a few boys 

Book Review: Secret Omaha: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure

 Weird Omaha: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful and Obscure by Ryan Roenfeld, Reedy Press, St. Louis, Mo, 2021.

This book is a very good reference book and tells you many places to see in Omaha and the surrounding area.  It includes many Bellevue sites.  For example:

Omaha has a no roller coaster law based on a four cars leaving the track falling from the Big Dipper Roller Coaster at Krug Park resulting in four deaths and 17 injuries.  Many were trapped inside the cars.

Omaha has been the site of several riots over the years.

A giant fork in Little Italy.

The Japanese sent balloons with bombs and floated them over the United States.  One exploded in Omaha with no injuries.  Another exploded in Oregon and killed a family.  I had never heard of this.  

Standing Bear was a Native American, Ponca who was arrested off the reservation as he came home to the area to bury his son.  He sued for habeas Corpus and proved that Native Americans are people with rights.  His name now adorn Standing Bear Lake in north Omaha.

And over 100 more such gems.

King Follett and the Well Where He Passed Away

 King Follet is most known for the discourse Joseph Smith gave a few months after the death of King Follett.  It coincided with general conference and was given in the grove by the Nauvoo temple.  Joseph mentioned Follett at the beginning and the end of the discourse.  King Follett was a friend of the prophet Joseph Smith.  He was an elder in the church and possibly a high priest.  He and his wife joined the church in Ohio in 1831.  They had nine children.  He was in Jackson County, and Clay County, as well as Caldwell County in Far West.  The members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were expelled from all three places.  At Far West he was arrested.  Trial was held and all charges were dismissed.  He was the last member of the church released from prison in 1838.  In Nauvoo he served as a police constable.  He died March 9, 1844 when a tub of rocks fell on him as he was lining the wall of a well.  

This is a reconstruction of the King Follett well

External Evidences of the Book of Mormon: Documentary Review: The Lehi Cave with Dr W. Cleon Skousen

 Visit Israel with W. Cleon Skousen: The Lehi Cave, LDS Scriptures, 1986 to VCR and 2001 to DVD.

This is an interesting documentary about the Holy Land and a burial cave that was discovered in 1961.  The interesting thing about the cave is the writing in the cave which has been dated to 600 bc.  It is south of Jerusalem.  The ruins nearby were called Khirbet Beit Lei.  Supposedly an Arab town.  Some of postulated that in Hebrew this means the ruins of the house of Lehi.  However those who take the Arab meaning disagree.  However with the cave writings being from the time of Lehi, and Lehi's name possibly associated with the nearby village.  Thee is also an ancient tree which is regarded as sacred.  Stones have been placed around the tree to keep people away.  IThe story is told of a prophet Lehi teaching his children there.  This may have been a more ancient Lehi.  This has been known as the Land of Lehi since the time of Samson, Lehi meaning jawbone.  

The three statements written were, "Yahveh (is) the God of the whole earth; the mountains of Judah belong to him, to the God of Jerusalem." "The (Mount of) Moriah Thou hast favoured, the dwelling of Yah, Yahveh."  "[Ya]hveh deliver (us)!"  Lehi or Nephi could have written such statements.

With these similarities some have postulatd this may have been Lehis inheritance, outside of Jerusalem.  It may also have been where Nephi and his brothers holed up hiding from Laban, or after Laban's death those who sought his killer.  All speculation but there are places that could have been related to Lehi and his family.  

Book Review: Prophecies of Joseph Smith and Their Fulfillment

 Prophecies of Joseph Smith and Their Fulfillment, Nephi Lowell Morris, SLC, Utah, Deseret Book Company, 1920.

This book deals with seven prophesies of Joseph Smith and their fulfillment.  The first deals with predictions of war, not only the Civil War but after.  This is in D&C 87 in which is prophesied a war in the U.S. starting in South Carolina and then a general world war.  Both prophesies of war came to pass in the Civil war and WWI.  The prediction of war further came to pass with WWII but this was after this book was written.

Joseph Smith prophesied that the CHurch would bec ome a great body in the Rocky Mountains.  This took place under the direction of Brigham Young.  The Mormon "kingdom" extended from Canada to Mexico.

Joseph Smith prophesied that America was not the "new world" but actually the cradle of civilization.  Joseph Smith told of the place of the Garden of Eden and Adam Ondi Ahman where Adam and Eve dwelt after being expelled from the Garden of Eden.  Over time sciencce is proving this to be the case.

Joseph Smith talked with and made a prophesy regarding Stephen A. Douglas.  He said he would do well in politics, but if he ever turned against the Saints his political career would be over.  Such was the case.  Douglas spoke against the Mormons.  Despite being the Democrat candidate for president in 1860, the southern Democrats nominated their own man.  Abraham Lincoln won.  Shortly after this Douglas became ill and passed away.

The coming forth of the Book of Mormon id s fulfillment of prophecy.  It also contains many prophecies, specifically that it would be a land of liberty with no outside kings.  Such was the case in the Revolutionary War.  God strengthened those seeking freedom.  A similar thing happened with Mexico and the French who wanted to take over.  The Mexicans were able to reject them.  The Monroe Doctrine reinforces this prophesy.  

Orson Hyde would visit Jerusalem and dedicated Israel for the return of thmisA  Jews.   October 24, 1841 Orson Hyde dedicated Israel for the return of the Jews.  Only after this did England take over government control from Turkey.  This facilitated the return of the Jews.

Joseph Smith proclaimed that the birth of Jesus was the first part of April.  Biblical scholars now agree with this date.  The Book of Mormon reveals that his crucifixion has at 33 years and 3 days. This too seems to be accurate.

Joseph Smith prophesied that Jackson County was under condemnation and they would undergo and expulsion similar to the way the expelled the Mormons.  This happened in 1863 with the declaration of order 11 by General Thomas Ewing Jr.  Jackson County and two other counties were completely cleared out excdept for by Kansas City.  Houses were burned, crops destroyed.  People did not return until after the war.  Even so, most residents did not return.  Because of this, this piece of historyn is mostly forgotten.

Joseph Smith made prophecies which were fulfilled.  These predictions were more than based on logic but on having insight from God.  Joseph Smith was a prophet.

 

Father Flanagan's Home: Decor 1929

 A few years after Boys Town cfommenced Father Flanagan had a home with office built.  He moved in in 1929.  They have added a dormitory to the back in light of the original dormitory being raised.  This is to give an idea of the conditions in which the boys lived.  There is also a nun's room.

Christmas

phonograph

kitchen

nun's room

dormitory