The Shoshone say that when you look upon Crowheart Butte and think about the legacy of Chief Washakie, then you realise what it takes to be leader, and someone whose every decision was taken in the best interests of his people.
Crowheart Butte cuts a striking figure as it rises from the Wind River Valley — a solitary flat-topped mountain looming above the sage, visible for miles in every direction. But as distinguishing characteristics go, the landmark’s appearance has nothing on its history.
That lonely flat top hill sits as a marker where more than 150 years ago, a battle was fought, a legend was born and an iconic piece of the American West received its name.
Here, the Shoshone chief Washakie challenged the Crow chief Big Robber to single combat in order to stop the protracted battle between the warring parties over the region’s hunting grounds.
Washakie tried to settle the land dispute peacefully, but the Crow killed the emissary he sent, forcing the tribal leader to fight.
The butte marked the battleground. Below its flanks, warriors from the two tribes fought near the Wind River. The battle is said to have lasted five days.
Recognizing there could be no winners, Washakie made his selfless offer of sacrifice, persuading Big Robber to accept that the winner would take all and that the losing side would respect the outcome and withdraw.
Washakie is said to have left the parlay with a promise to Big Robber: “When I win, I’m going to cut out your heart and eat it.”
At the appointed time Washakie rode his favorite horse, an appaloosa, to the designated spot near the butte. Washakie carried a lance, a rawhide shield and the rattle he always used to startle his opponents’ horses.
Washakie prevailed, and as he promised, cut out Big Robber’s heart, but he did not, despite the myth, eat it, Instead he carried it on his lance when he rode back into the camp.
The Shoshone say that when you look upon Crowheart Butte and think about the legacy of Chief Washakie, then you realise what it takes to be leader, and someone whose every decision was taken in the best interests of his people.