"Belden was known among the Indians as the White Chief, and was greatly feared among the Indians." -Dubuque Herald, 9/12/1871
"One of the most popular subscription books of the day, one of the most entertaining works of the sort we ever met." -Sioux City Journal, 9/5/1871
"During our stay at Fort McPherson I made the acquaintance of Lieutenant George P. Belden, known as 'The White Chief.' Belden was a dashing rider and an excellent shot." - Buffalo Bill
Belden was a well-known guide, scout, hunter, and trapper, an officer in the U.S. Calvary, who for 12 years lived among various tribes of Plains Indians, marrying a native woman. He became a famous writer of western affairs.
In 1870, Belden's published "Belden: The White Chief," In addition to describing his own remarkable life, Belden comments on the customs of the Indians, particularly their family life. Includes how to directions on Indian woodcraft including bows, arrows, and other weapons as well as tools, shelters, cooking methods, etc.
Belden could speak several Indian languages fluently, including their various dialects, and understood the sign language perfectly. During all his career among the Indians, as demonstrated in his book he made a study of their legends and traditions, and probably no man in the West knew more in regard to their history.
Belden's book is filled with numerous exciting experiences, which included many close scrapes. For example, in describing a run-in with a buffalo bull, Belden writes:
"I hesitated to risk my pony on such uneven ground, for he was not sure-footed, but the frightened little fellow plunged down the ridge, and I let him go. Suddenly I felt him sinking under me, and the next moment I rolled headlong among the rocks. I looked up, and saw the buffalo, with lowered head, plunging at me, and scarcely twenty feet distant. Every instant I expected to feel his sharp horns in my side or be trampled to death beneath his feet, and closed my eyes. A sharp pain thrilled me, and I felt myself flying through the air...."
In describing his time with the Sioux, Belden observes:
"I had not lived long with the Indians before I perceived a jealousy growing up in the tribe against me. Many of the old men were my friends, but the young warriors hated and despised me. There were many reasons for their dislike, for, not only was my squaw the handsomest woman in the nation, but I could run, ride, or shoot with the best young Indian, and I did much of my own work, and carried wood and water for little Washtella, which the young warriors thought was a degrading thing for a man to do."
After leaving the army Belden became a contributor to the Sioux City Journal, which said of Belden, "We have talked to him many times of his reckless ways, and sought to influence him to some noble ambition; but he thought fate was against him, and insisted that it was useless for him to try to be different than he was. And so he pursued his reckless life to his death."
About the author:
George P. Belden (1844-1871) was born in Ohio in 1844. He ran away from his Ohio home sometime between 1855 and 1857, and settled in Brownville, Nebraska Territory, and lived with various Plains Indian tribes for 12 years. During the Civil War, Belden served in the 1st Nebraska Infantry, the 1st Nebraska Veteran Cavalry Volunteers, and the 2nd Nebraska Cavalry, rising to the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. He later received a Lieutenant's commission in the regular army and held assignments at Ft. Phil Kearney, Dakota Territory, Ft. D.A. Russell, Wyoming Territory and Ft. McPherson, Nebraska Territory. He was court-martialed in 1869 and cashiered on November 4, 1869.
