New Sources on Arikara Scouts

Byron H. WildeAnother witness not available.Subscribed and sworn before me this 23 rd day of August 1911, and I certify that thecontents are fully made known to deponent before signing.M. J. McGirrSpecial ExaminerENEMY HEART/BLOODY HANDDEPOSITION BY ENEMY HEART (BLOODY HAND) IN SUPPORT OF RED BEAR’S DISABILITY CLAIM,AUGUST 24, 1911.Case of Red Bear, No., 1,328,131On this 24 day of August, 1911, at Armstrong, County of McLean State of N. Dak., beforeme, M. J. McGirr, a special examiner of the Bureau of Pensions, personally appeared BloodyHand, now known as Enemy Heart, who, being by me first duly sworn to answer allinterrogatories propounded to him during this special examination of aforesaid claim forpension, deposes and says:My age is 63, occupation farmer, P. O. Elbowoods, N. Dak.I served under General Custer under the name Bloody Hand. I never was a scout at FortStevenson. I knew of Handsome Elk before he enlisted at Fort Stevenson. While he was at FortStevenson, after his enlistment, he stopped with my mother and stepfather. I could not sayhow long he stopped with my mother and stepfather. I was not around there when he got hiseye injured but one time I went there Handsome Elk had had his eye injured. They did not tellme how how the eye was injured and I was not inquisitive enough to ask. We consider it badmanners for a stranger to ask questions. Only a relative should ask how it happened. I saw himat fort Stevenson when he had a black cloth over his eye. I think it was the right eye that wasbandaged when I saw him.I never examined his eye after he came home from Fort Stevenson but judging from thefact that he wore glasses all the time and the way he walked I don’t think he could see verywell. He wore glasses (goggles) when he was under General Custer and after he came back. I22