History and Culture by Bicycle: Big & Mysterious History of Sioux City, Iowa: Roberts and Cordura Murder, Palaneapape

Saturday, April 5, 2014

Big & Mysterious History of Sioux City, Iowa: Roberts and Cordura Murder, Palaneapape

Palaneapape or Man That Was Struck by the Ree or Struck by the Ree was the first of 15 Indian names signed on the Treaty of 1858 which made the settlement of the Yankton possible. Prior to the signing of the treaty Struck by the Ree's life was filled with legend, conflict and controversy.

Legend says when Struck by the Ree was an infant he was wrapped in a flag by Captains Lewis and Clark when their expedition encountered the Yankton Sioux in 1804. The legend says they predicted great things for him. The legend is difficult to prove because nothing in the journals Lewis and Clark kept mentions this incident. One thing that can be said about the legendary prediction is Struck by the Ree's life was filled with great things, some no doubt were tragic, some were not, but great things none-the-less.

More controversy surrounds how he got his name, Struck by the Ree. There are two possible legends. The question is did he strike the Ree or did the Ree strike him? Struck by the Ree was the name he signed on the treaty document which is the name that will be used in this article. One legend states he survived a partial scalping by an enemy Arickara warrior. Another says he avenged the murder of his brother by killing a Ree adversary with a spear which is why he is also referred to as Strike the Ree. In historical manuscripts and documents that will appear in this article both names will be listed.

Struck by the Ree was accused of siding with another tribal leader, Smutty Bear, when Smutty Bear threatened Dr. John Cook to leave as Sioux City was being surveyed and platted. After Sioux City was established and other incidents occurred in other parts of the region between the white and the Indians there was also fear by the people of Sioux City that Struck by the Ree would side with Smutty Bear again and help lead an attack on Sioux City. The attack never occurred and it is believed Smutty Bear decided not to attack because he did not have Strike the Ree's help and support. smutty Bear became angry at Strike the Ree and challenged him for what was viewed as surrendering to the white man.

Strike the Ree was considered a realist. As much as he hated seeing the old traditions die he recognized inevitable change. He has been quoted as saying: "The white men are coming like maggots. It is useless to resist them. They are many more than we are. We could not hope to stop them. Many of our brave warriors would be killed, our women and children left in sorrow, and still we would not stop them. We must accept it, get the best terms we can get and try to adopt their ways."

Though he prevailed and persevered he was vilified by some members of his own tribe and had a lot of opposition. He spoke about peace and industry to his people. He even promoted the preservation of trees and other natural resources on the reservation. He was quoted as saying: "If you do not save your timber," he said, "the time will come when you will fish for driftwood and fight over it."

He was awarded three medals medals from three US presidents: Franklin Pierce, Ulysses S. Grant and James Garfield for his efforts on behalf of peaceful white and Indian relationships.

Reading the history of his life it could be concluded that his life started out draped in legend, he was caught between conflict with the whites and his people, accused of something he may not have had anything to do with by some of the earliest Sioux City residents, was a promoter of peace and as a result angered members of his own people but was awarded by the white government for his good works.

Whether or not the legend is true about Captains Lewis and Clark wrapping baby Strike the Ree in a flag and stating he is destined for great things is true or not. One thing is certain he did indeed accomplish great things in his life.