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where the wild west comes alive
Plenty Coups
(1849 - May 3, 1932)
Drawing by Richard Florence
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His name was Aleekcheaáhoosh which means "Many Achievements". In his early youth
he was known as Swift Arrow. Plenty Coups gained his name through nearly 80
exploits of bravery. At 25, Plenty Coup became chief of the Mountain Crow.
He was the head of the scouts for George Crook as Crook was making his way to meet Custer. On the Rosebud River in Montana, Plenty Coups and his indian scouts saved George Crook from a Custer fate. The military unit, however, had to turn back.
In the peaceful years, he negotiated for right away of the Northern Pacific Railroad and government land payments for Crow land. In each case, the payments received were better than had been given to other tribes.
Plenty Coups took up and became a successful farmer and rancher, urged his tribal members to join the armed forces during World War I, and because he had no children, deeded his home and 40 acres to the government as a reminder of the friendship between the Crows and the whites.
Today, Plenty Coups' home is a museum for Crow culture and history.
Plenty Coups is buried in Pryor, Montana near his old home, now the museum.
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