Yellow Wolf

by Lucullus Virgil McWhorter

Yellow Wolf was one of the last survivors of the Nez Perce War. Researchers consider this account of the Native American strategy and policy to be a foundation book for any study of the Nez Perce.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Biography, Native American, Memoir, Westerns, American History

328 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1940

About the author

1860-1944

Reviews

[Kurt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yellow Wolf is a name I first heard more than 40 years ago. My father had read a little about the Nez Perce War of 1877, and he spoke occasionally about the mistreatment of the Nez Perce and the heroism of the few warriors who fought the government soldiers while protecting their tribe and families as they were brutally pursued for over a thousand miles from their homeland. Yellow Wolf was just one of those warriors, and because of the foresight and dedication of L.V. McWhorter we have his first-hand account about this sad and shameful episode in our nation's history.

Because of Yellow Wolf and McWhorter many important points of the "official" history (written, of course, by the white victors of this war) have been questioned and even proven to be false. The capacity of the military leadership to brag and exaggerate their "successes"– not just in this war, but in every war I've read about – never fails to sicken me. In the case of this war, they would have surely gotten away with their deceit had it not been for the dedication of McWhorter and perhaps a few others along with willing Indian participants like Yellow Wolf who managed to bring the Indian side of this story into the public light.

This is the 13th book on this specific subject that I have read. Needless to say, the Nez Perce people and their history is probably my favorite subject to study. Yet I still feel that I am far from being an expert. Of the books I have read on the subject, this one is definitely one of my favorites. However, I would only recommend it to people who have read at least one other more contemporary book about the war. Spoken in Yellow Wolf's own manner of speech (so different from modern white communication) and omitting most geographical and military details, it would leave less educated readers a little confused. But for me this book was excellent and unforgettable.

[Moonkiszt · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's never easy finding your people on the wrong side of history. After having read a number of books from the government, champions of the government, ancestors of my own. . . I wanted the other side of the story.

Hinmot Hihhih, known in this book as Yellow Wolf (Hemene Moxmox), is aka White Thunder, or White Lightning, is a Nez Perce warrior of 1877. Traveling between the Colville Indian Reservation and the annual trek to the Yakima Valley hop fields where they picked hops, he and his family, along with other members of the Chief Joseph band developed the habit of stopping at the author's ranch on the way. Over 24 years of these annual visits a friendship was developed, and his story told of the terrible days imposed by massacres and depredations by whites that ended their former ways of life forever. It is hard reading. One must do it in small bits, and let the history readjust in one's mind, and rethink our grandparents in a whole, new, awful way.

I appreciated the voice of the author, who ducked into the narrative often - usually an aspect that would have me grumbling. In this case it was beyond helpful in explaining language, customs and culture that Yellow Wolf feels absolutely no obligation to provide. For any listener/reader/receiver of his communication that didn't understand. . .well, that's not his problem and that must be what should be. . . he's not changing it. The author has sympathy for the ignorant.

His is a stunning story, revealing many of the creative ways governmental agents shaped the narrative that would become "historical fact" rendering any other version an untruth or worthy of a robust doubt. It is laced with his belief system which sustained him through those awful days, that a bullet would never slay him, which thought braced him in the face of all those enemies wielding guns.

When you are ready to step outside of the carefully curated history we've been taught, knowing that there is no page big enough on which the full truth can sit, we can move the needle a little by seeking the tales the other sides tell if we will sit beside them for a day, and listen.

Gather your histories while you can. Record the victories and losses of your elders, the wisdoms they hope to pass on and wish will survive them, for it is true what Yellow Wolf says, as he closes his story:

. . .I have no more chances to fight. No more wars; and I am growing old. When I come to dissolve, then I will tell my children and grandchildren how I was when young. But they have a different schooling, different beliefs. They have learned the white man's thinking.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I became aware of Yellow Wolf last summer when I went to Nespelem on the Colville reservation to pay my respects at Chief Joseph's grave. There is also a marker for Yellow Wolf. Intrigued, I went searching and found McWhorter's book. This book is such a lucky find for anyone interested in Native American history and culture. McWhorter was as committed to faithfully recording the narrative in Yellow Wolf's voice as Yellow Wolf was to "telling you true." In many ways McWhorter, despite being amateur, was ahead of his time in recording oral histories. He is meticulous in getting detail and often offers footnotes regarding the US Army's official reports to the event versus Yellow Wolf's. Yellow Wolf provides us with a unique glimpse into group of people and how they dealt with horrific circumstances that could have easily been lost to us. Highlight of the book: the encounter with the tourists in Yellowstome Park.

[Anthony Frasier · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is FANTASTIC! I love the first hand account with comparisons of other written fact documents to collaborate. I can honestly say this is my favorite book to date.

[Sue Jackson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yellow Wolf, His Own Story is a first-person account of the Nez Perce War. The author does an excellent job of listening to how Yellow Wolf describes what the Indians faced during this time. He is able to translate a story that is either forgotten or never told through the Indian perspective. I really enjoyed how Yellow Wolf clearly felt comfortable enough to tell his story. It is a painful story of war and death but is also about how the native thought process during the conflict and about how were betrayed.

The reason I didn't it higher was because I had a hard time distinguishing the many battles from one another. It often felt like I was reading the same thing only at a different time. I was also distracted by the many footnotes at the bottom of the page. Still, it is a story that needs to be heard by all and a sad part of our history that should never be forgotten.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

First-person account of a Nez Perce trying to escape with his tribe to Canada. My favorite part of this book is where the author relates a trash-talking conversation with an enemy....all in plains sign language.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting history of one Brave account of the Nes Pierce Indian war. I enjoyed the thoughts expressed and the information concerning this period of history and how he effected the record. I give it a must read.

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to my teaching mentor Van Thompson, I studied the Nez Perce wars of the 1870s at some depth, and traveled the first part of the Nez Perce Trail with 8th grade students every year from Lapwai and White Bird. Somehow I never had read this account of the wars from Yellow Wolf, a nephew of Joseph, who in his early 20s participated as a warrior with his family as they fought and trekked into Montana. With others of his tribal group, Yellow Wolf ultimately left Montana when Joseph surrendered, joining the group that went to Canada to meet up with Sitting Bull; his small band later returned to Idaho and the reservation. McWhorter met Yellow Wolf in the early years of the 20th Century, and became his chronicler, with Yellow Wolf leading him back through the trail wars, and introducing him to other native participants. Although the writing style isn't great, the first-person accounts from the perspective of Native Americans who fought the wars are gripping and intimate, another reminder - if anyone needed one - of the horrible injustices done to the people who had lived and thrived on this western land since before Columbus "discovered" it.

[Tanya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yellow Wolf, or Heinmot Hihhih (White Thunder), tells Mr. McWhorter his accounts of experiencing the Nez Perce War during the late nineteenth century. An indefatigable warrior whose "wyakin" and spirit power complement his skills, Yellow Wolf attests to the resilience of Native American people. Their tribal sovereignty and success in self-preservation will forever be admired by those willing to listen.

[Scott Fleisch · Rating 5 out of 5]

An important part of history that needs to be remembered

Tells how the American Christians destroyed an ancient indigenous race and culture because of greed. And the heartless treatment after their war to survive ended that continues today.

[John Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very detailed and exhaustive account of the Nez Perce War. What makes it a compelling read is the description and insight into the Indian participant's thoughts, feelings and actions.

[Tipiman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many people have heard of Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce Tribe. He is quoted as saying, "From where the sun now stands I will fight no more forever." Yellow Wolf was one of the young braves who fought alongside and for Chief Joseph.

Yellow Wolf gives a firsthand account of the life and struggles of the Nez Perce during the 1870s. Hias story as a brave includes the violence of war, so I don't recommend it to those who don't like those things. It isn't excessive, but it is difficult to write a true story about war without war.

The author also includes official US Army accounts of the battles.

i recommend this book.

[Gerald Hickman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sad story of the travels of the Nez Perce tribe from the Wallowa country in NE Oregon to avoid the U S Army and flee to Canada in 1877. The story is told by Yellow Wolf who was 19 years of age during this time.

Yellow Wolf was a young warrior of this his tribe. And he tells a truthful report of the events and battles in what has been called the Nez Perce War. Well written and full of interesting comments by a
participant of this struggle.

[Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting bio about a Nez Perce’s experience from Chief Joseph’s great and final war. Yellow Wolf’s story tells the story from his perspective which at times becomes repetitive. My biggest annoyance was the extremely tiny print containing corresponding details in the footnotes. I learned a lot. Even though this was written long ago, it was worth reading to understand what happened. Prior knowledge of this war is helpful to have a better understanding of this war.

[Ed Gannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

awesome, incredible!!!

A native Montanan,
I’ve heard bits and pieces of this story growing up and I’ve been to the Big Hole Battle Field.
I’ve crisscrossed all this geography on business. This book brings this vast theater to life. Sadly flowing with blood and tears. A sad but must read!

[Sherri Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book.

[Tony Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not my usual reading, but recommended to me. Superb book by a Yellow Wolf, a Native American who experienced the arrival of Europeans and the US army. A wonderful book, should be read by all.

[Ben Raterman · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. US history that isn't taught.

[Evan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read, loved yellow wolfs perspective & McWhorter's notes & balancing it against the typical narrative.

[Floyd Jr. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting perspective of the Nez Perce war from Yellow Wolf, Chief Joseph's right-hand man. I would highly recommend.

[Jared Estes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great review of Yellow Wolf's experience throughout the Nez Perce War of 1877 and his fugitive run shortly after.

[Lane · Rating 1 out of 5]

NOT A GOOD BOOK