Little Crow

In Hutchinson there is a statue created by a local artist that has stood on the banks of the river for many years. The figure of Little Crow looks out over the river that bears his name. He is immortalized in bronze even though he was killed by a local farmer just miles from this statue. It is not just in Hutchinson that Little Crow's image is that of both a hero and an enemy. Accounts of the Mdewakanton leader have portrayed him as either a brutal warrior who attacked whites, including settlers of Hutchinson, or as a skilled politician who fruitlessly tried to maneuver his people out of a chaotic situation.

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The 1800s was a tumultuous time for the Sioux who lived in what would become Minnesota. In 1810 Little Crow was born into a village called Kaposia, which means “not encumbered with baggage”. It was north of the St. Croix and Mississippi rivers. The economic activities of the village centered on hunting and gathering. Little Crow was named “Taoyateduta” meaning “His Red Nation”. It was symbolic of his belief that Dakota men existed for the benefit of the band and the tribe. He felt a sense of destiny.
In the early 19th century whites were moving in on Sioux land. Fort Snelling was built. Little Crow’s family gained prestige for their ability to negotiate a peaceful coexistence with whites. They became dependent on the fur trade. Resources became depleted. In 1837 the government offered the Mdewakanton one million dollars for their five million acres. The Mdewakantan became dependent on the government annuity from their treaty. Little Crow traveled to Washington DC in 1852. Little Crow settled on the Upper Minnesota reservation and distributed the annuity money. His position gained him celebrity status.

Little Crow was unwilling to change some of his traditions. He would not cut his hair or wear the clothing of white farmers. He refused to become a farmer. He raised crops with his relatives to share with the family but not to sell for profit. He continued to participate in sacred feasts and ceremonial dances. He would not give up his religion and planned for a journey to the land of the ancestors. He also refused to give up his medicine sack.

By 1855 German immigrants were settling on the Cottonwood River in New Ulm. Young Indians were upset over the loss of their hunting lands. Whites cut timber and plowed the lands. The land could no longer support hunting and gathering. Young warriors began to kill the livestock that belonged to white farmers. In March of 1858 24 Native elders travelled to Washington DC. Little Crow acted as spokesman for the Mdewakaton. He had the opportunity to observe white culture. He complained to federal officials that money from other treaties had not been distributed to the Sioux. He also complained that German settlers on the Cottonwood River were on reservation land which led to a debate about the reservation’s boundaries. The government insisted that the boundary was further north. They wanted to make the reservation the permanent home for the Sioux and to divide the land into individual farms spread out over ten miles of land on the Minnesota River. Little Crow spent three months in Washington negotiating the treaty.

The winter of 1961-62 was unusually cold and there was a food shortage at the agency. Hunting Indians were denied food which was given to farming families instead. Rumors started that the government was not paying annuities because of the Civil War. Indians began demanding annuities and food. The traders were being unjust with the amount of debt owed. There was starvation at the Yellow Medicine Agency. On August 4 a group broke into the food warehouse. The next day a council was held in the soldiers’ lodge to discover who was behind the attack. Little Crow used the conflict to enhance his reputation as a leader. He spoke with agents and traders and reminded them that payment was overdue and made arrangements with traders to supply food. Myrick refused to help but Captain Marsh ordered supplies to be delivered to the Indians which included 130 barrels of food and 30 barrels of pork.

On August 17 an event occurred in Acton that ignited the ethnic tension. About six young hunters stopped at the farm of Robinson Jones where a quarrel erupted. Indians felt they had been offended and killed five white settlers. After leaving Acton the Indians reported to the Soldiers’ Lodge whose members supported a war. The soldiers went to Little Crow who tried to dissuade them from pursuing war.  An attack was planned on the Redwood Agency for August 18.  Little Crow warned those on the agency that he believed were innocent.

Grave site of the five settlers who were killed near Acton.  150 years after their deaths the descendants of Dakota and the descendants of the European-American settlers met for a healing ceremony.

Although Little Crow will go down in history as the leader of the Dakota during the conflict, his leadership was ineffective.  The soldiers only listened to him when they agreed with him.  The tribe was splintered and Little Crow had no political power.  He did not go with on August 19 when Dakota warriors attacked nearby settlements.  He hoped to keep the support of the farmer Indians who did not want to attack white settlers.  

By August 28 Little Crow and his people retreated to the north.  He began to correspond with Henry Sibley in order to find acceptable terms for peace.  After being defeated at Wood Lake by Sibley's men, Little Crow left Minnesota territory.  He tried to find allies in Canada but had no support among the Ojibwe.

This monument marks the place where Little Crow was killed.  It is located to the side of McLeod County Road 18 about 6 miles north of Hutchinson, MN.

On July 3, 1863 Nathan Lamson found two Indians picking berries near his farm six miles outside of Hutchinson.  He fired on them when they came into range.  Little Crow’s son was wounded.  Shots were exchanged and Lamson was wounded.  Little Crow was mortally wounded.  Chauncey Lamson, Nathan’s son, returned to Hutchinson for help.  Little Crow’s body was moved into town and left on Main Street until it was later moved to the refuse pit outside of town.  In August of 1863, Little Crow’s death was verified.