Crowheart Butte is a stunning landmark that ranch guests can see when driving in from the East. What many may not know is that it also has a fascinating history involving two prominent Native American tribes, the Shoshone and the Crow.
The Shoshone people had lived in the Wind River valley where the butte is located for thousands of years, but in 1866 the Crow began to encroach on these lands, specifically those areas that were used for hunting. The Crow were not originally from the area, but had ended up there after being forced West and given land in a treaty.
According to Shoshone history, their Chief, Chief Washakie, initially attempted to settle this dispute peacefully with the Crow Chief, Chief Big Robber. However, a Shoshone emissary was allegedly killed by the Crow which led Chief Washakie to fight. The butte served as the battleground, although most of the fighting actually occurred a few miles North.
The battle lasted for 5 days, with many men dying on both sides. Chief Washakie of the Shoshone tribe recognized that there would be no winners if the fighting continued, and approached Chief Big Robber of the Crow, and suggested a single combat fight to the death. Whoever lost would relinquish the hunting lands and their people would respect this outcome.
Chief Washakie and Chief Big Robber battled atop the Butte, and Washakie prevailed. Legend has it that Washakie cut out Big Robber’s heart and ate it, although other stories state he actually carried the heart on his lance back to camp. This is how Crowheart Butte was named. In his old age, Chief Washakie was asked if he really ate the Crow Indian’s heart. He responded “Youth does foolish things”.
Sources: https://wyofile.com/battle-