I grew up in Bozeman, Montana, and my mother was an amateur historian regarding Montana history, mostly concentrating on the Catholic missionaries converting the native Americans. Right after graduating from college, she was a social worker on the Flathead reservation (in northwestern Montana, around Flathead Lake). Sometime in the late 1950's she took my brother and me on a trip to interview one or two of the Indian elders, at least one of whom had been alive during the Battle of the Little Big Horn and had some recollection of it. We stayed at a motel in Miles City, so it was not far from the Little Bighorn. I remember being in a dark room with several Indians including two elders, at least one of them being the fellow who had been at the Battle. Given the cowboys & Indians stories that were popular at the time as well as the absence of smiles, I was a bit scared. After introductions, my mother had my brother and I go outside and play with some Indian kids, which was much fun. Other than these two very brief memories, all that's left in my brain is how bad the local water tasted. Now, of course, I greatly wish I could have sat in on the interview and have a recollection of it. My mother made notes, which I am not sure if she still had when she passed in the 1990's. Upon her passing I gave all her research materials to the library at Carrol College in Helena, Montana. She would often talk about early Montana history but at the time I wasn't all that interested in it. However, when she died, it was like she passed her interest in Montana history on to me. Anyway, it is amazing to think that I met someone who was alive at the time and remembered that battle. Some things just aren't that long ago.
I am almost 80 years old. I remember my mom gave me an article about Daniel grassrope when I was just a small kid. My dad ran the ferry between Chamberlain South Dakota, and up the river to Fort Thompson and lower Brule on the Indian reservation. He knew Daniel grassrope. My aunt also knew him And I would love to meet this man Alvin grassrope, and Mom told me that Daniel was in the battle of the Little Big horn so I know his story to be true.
He talked of remembering his grandfather telling him stories before age 5. Me and others people as well remember lots of things before the age of 5. My wife on the other hands remembers nothing of her early age. So, I believe him remembering things that young.
Maybe, but it isn't impossible it was his grandfather. I was born in 1954. My father was 51 at the time of my birth (he was born in 1903). His father was born in 1860. Had my grandfather lived to age 104 (as Mr Grassrope's grandfather did) we would have had 10 years together (to 1964).
My father was born in 1906. I was born in 1958. kind makes me feel closer to the past than those younger than me. I do want to know more of history from the Native American view.
He may be telling the truth, but natives saying that are as common as eropean who think their great grandma was a real princess and I never heard one say their relative was killed there so obviously no indian died there either
I grew up in Bozeman, Montana, and my mother was an amateur historian regarding Montana history, mostly concentrating on the Catholic missionaries converting the native Americans. Right after graduating from college, she was a social worker on the Flathead reservation (in northwestern Montana, around Flathead Lake). Sometime in the late 1950's she took my brother and me on a trip to interview one or two of the Indian elders, at least one of whom had been alive during the Battle of the Little Big Horn and had some recollection of it. We stayed at a motel in Miles City, so it was not far from the Little Bighorn. I remember being in a dark room with several Indians including two elders, at least one of them being the fellow who had been at the Battle. Given the cowboys & Indians stories that were popular at the time as well as the absence of smiles, I was a bit scared. After introductions, my mother had my brother and I go outside and play with some Indian kids, which was much fun. Other than these two very brief memories, all that's left in my brain is how bad the local water tasted. Now, of course, I greatly wish I could have sat in on the interview and have a recollection of it. My mother made notes, which I am not sure if she still had when she passed in the 1990's. Upon her passing I gave all her research materials to the library at Carrol College in Helena, Montana. She would often talk about early Montana history but at the time I wasn't all that interested in it. However, when she died, it was like she passed her interest in Montana history on to me. Anyway, it is amazing to think that I met someone who was alive at the time and remembered that battle. Some things just aren't that long ago.
I thought the tribes referred to the fight as the battle of the greasy grass. Great to hear this fine man.
Grease grass was another fight a bit earlier .
I am almost 80 years old. I remember my mom gave me an article about Daniel grassrope when I was just a small kid. My dad ran the ferry between Chamberlain South Dakota, and up the river to Fort Thompson and lower Brule on the Indian reservation. He knew Daniel grassrope. My aunt also knew him And I would love to meet this man Alvin grassrope, and Mom told me that Daniel was in the battle of the Little Big horn so I know his story to be true.
Great interview.
Thank you..
What a humble man!
Thank you for sharing. This history is important.Respect for your oral history.
honor and respect
Thank you for sharing this. Much appreciated.
Good stuff.
He talked of remembering his grandfather telling him stories before age 5. Me and others people as well remember lots of things before the age of 5. My wife on the other hands remembers nothing of her early age. So, I believe him remembering things that young.
I have to wonder if Mr. Grassrope meant to say his great-grandfather?
i wondered that at the time too - a compelling story and teller nonetheless
Maybe, but it isn't impossible it was his grandfather. I was born in 1954. My father was 51 at the time of my birth (he was born in 1903). His father was born in 1860. Had my grandfather lived to age 104 (as Mr Grassrope's grandfather did) we would have had 10 years together (to 1964).
My father was born in 1906. I was born in 1958. kind makes me feel closer to the past than those younger than me. I do want to know more of history from the Native American view.
no his grandfather was born in 1945 and was in his thirties during the battle and died in 1958
@@DaytonaStation born in 1945 or 1845??
The Sioux did not return to the reservation after the battle, they fled to Canada and stayed there for a year.
Wow! 104!!!!
Won the battle lost the war
Point is?
@@samtait3128
Obviously, his point was that it was a pyrrhic victory.
He may be telling the truth, but natives saying that are as common as eropean who think their great grandma was a real princess and I never heard one say their relative was killed there so obviously no indian died there either
First hand..........