The Crow Buttes Legend
(as narrated by the Native Americans and carried through Rick Brengle)

In the early 1820s, the Crow Indians considered the area from Eastern Montana to the Missouri River their hunting ground. The Lakota (Sioux) tribes began to move into this area from farther east and conflicts soon arose between the two nations.

In approximately 1823, a hunting party of Crow ran into a large group of Lakota along the backs of the South Moreau River. A running battle ensued from there to what are now known as the Crow Buttes in northeast South Dakota. The Crow climbed the buttes for the fighting advantage. This tactic proved futile as the Lakota simply lay siege at the base. The remaining Crow were eventually overcome from lack of water on the top of the buttes. The Lakota did not fare any better. They had contracted an illness either from their foes or from a white party with whom they had dealings. Due to the germination time, the latter was more probable.

At any rate, the Lakota moved off to draw to the north and west of the Crow Buttes, where they all died from the illness. Today this draw is known as the Skull Draw. Little has been written about this conflict, as it has been handed down through oral history by the Native Americans.

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Rick and Judy Bregle
Owners/Operators
HC 64 Box 55
Belle Fourche, SD 57717
(605)375-3875