Chief Wolf Robe

Wolf Robe or Ho'néhevotoomáhe (b. 1838-1841, d. 1910, Oklahoma) was a Southern Cheyenne chief of the southern Cheyenne Indian tribeand a holder of Benjamin Harrison Peace Medal. He appears above in a photograph taken in 1909. During the late 1870s, Wolf Robe's tribe was forced to leave the open plains and relocate on a reservation in Oklahoma.

The Cheyenne were divided into two groups, the Southern Cheyenne who were located along the upper Arkansas River and the Northern Cheyenne who were located at the headwaters of the Platt River.

In 1864 a group of peaceful Cheyenne were massacred by U.S. Military forces at Sand Creek, Colorado. In 1876 the Cheyenne joined the Sioux and defeated Col. George Custer at the Battle of the Little Bighorn. In 1877 the Cheyenne surrendered and were relocated to "Indian Territory: which is present day Oklahoma.

In 1990 the total number of Cheyenne descendants was about 11,000 many of whom still live on reservations in southwestern Oklahoma and southeastern Montana.

During the late 1870s he was forced to leave the open plains and relocate his tribe on to the Cheyenne and Arapaho Indian Reservation in Indian Territory. He was awarded the Benjamin Harrison Peace Medal in 1890 for his assistance in the Cherokee Commission.

F. A. Rinehart photographed the chief in 1898, Lancy DeGill photographed him in 1909.[4] The iconic portrait photographs of Wolf Robe have been popular throughout the last century. Numerous painters and sculptors have, in turn, created artworks based upon these photographs. Although it is unlikely, some people believe his was the model for the Indian Head nickel.

Additional information from Ken West, artist: