"THE GREAT SMOKE"
N 41° 58.365 W 104° 00.524
13T E 582129 N 4647225
Site of 1851 peace pipe smoke out for the purpose of making a treaty between the Plains Indian Tribes and the American Government.
Waymark Code: WM3T12
Location: Nebraska, United States
Date Posted: 05/13/2008
Views: 20
From all directions they came in late summer 1851--Plains Indian tribes, summoned by
government officials so their chiefs could smoke the peace pipe and sign a treaty with
representatives of "The Great Father." Never before had so many American Indians assembled to
parley with the white man. (Estimates range from 8,000 to 12,000.) It was perhaps history's
most dramatic demonstration of the Plains tribes' desire to live at peace with the whites.
The tribes had been invited to assemble at Fort Laramie, but a shortage of forage for their
thousands of horses caused the parley to be moved downstream. Because some tribes had been
at war for generations, most Indian camps were widely spaced to minimize contact. About 270
soldiers were present to help keep the peace. However, a spirit of friendliness prevailed.
Among those helping bring the tribes together were mountain man and trailblazer Jim Bridger
and Jesuit Father Peter De Smet, the beloved "Blackrobe" who worked 50 years among the
Indians.
Nebraska State Historical Society
One mile west of Morrill on U.S. 26
Scotts Bluff County
Marker 369A
Marker Name: "THE GREAT SMOKE"
City: yes
Roadside: yes
Other: yes
Web Address if available:: [Web Link]
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Visit Instructions:
Post Pictures:
1. Close up of historical marker
2. Picture of surrounding area (would prefer to have the marker in the picture also). Thanks!