Dirt over that White Buffalo Calf
Buffaloed over this one. Just feel like stomping.
Authorities are saying the case is closed.
Something’s rotten.
Greenville, TX was feeling like a Wild West Show. (Image:1923.US public domain/commons.wikimedia.org)
Remember that Greenville, Texas white buffalo calf Lightning Medicine Cloud that died mysteriously just before his first birthday – and his mother died the next day – and his father died after that from a lightning strike?
The forensics are in.
Facts about the white calf’s case have been released.
And they are disturbing.
The death of the calf wasn’t reported to police quickly.
- Lightning had been dead for at least 6 days and had been buried for at least 3 days before authorities were called
- According to Sheriff Randy Meeks there are photographs with evidence showing the calf had not been skinned.
- The examining vet agrees that there was a lot of skin and hair left on the dead calf although there had been decomposition.
Lightning Medicine Cloud died of a bacterial infection known as Blackleg.
- With this infection, black spores enter an animal’s body through the mouth or a cut.
- The spores may remain dormant for a while.
- Illness is sudden and death occurs quickly.
- Cattle are vaccinated against Blackleg, but buffalo are not. (Vaccine either isn’t approved or doesn’t work for buffies)
- Two other buffalo have died on the ranch since May and it is believed they died of the same disease.
Stamp out confusion! (1898 US postage stamp.US public domain/Commons.wikimedia.org)
The case, now considered closed by authorities, is baffling.
Why did Little Soldier wait 6 days to call authorities if he suspected foul play?
- He said he wanted to consult with Tribal elders? (Surely he didn’t call Elizabeth Warren for advice.)
- Why was the calf buried so quickly?
- If there was a crime, evidence was destroyed.
- Evidence of a ritual slaughter could have been observed by law enforcement
- Ranch workers normally would recognize a death from Blackleg disease.
Why did Little Soldier and other tribal members/war chiefs insist as recently as the end of July that authorities were not arresting those responsible? (Click for story)
- Why did Little Soldier and the tribal members threaten to haul 5+ suspects to the courthouse for authorities? He said they had the names of suspects from another Native American group who were involved.
- Why did Little Soldier tell authorities he suspected Yolanda Blue Horse, also a Greenville Native American, of being involved in the crime? Was Little Soldier angered because she questioned why he waited so long to call authorities?
Little Soldier is not responding to media’s questions. (Lightningmedicinecloud.com)
There is a matter of all the money donated to find those responsible for Lightning Medicine Clouds’s death.
Seems to be a lot of dust still in the air over that lost little calf.
Vintage Lakota doll. (Image: Caroline L. Becker/commons.wikimedia.org)
Meanwhile, Yellow Medicine Dancing Boy, the Connecticut-born white buffalo, is doing well.
He may be a celebrity and the hope of the world, but he’s still content to hang out with his mom and cousins.
If you’re visiting northwest Connecticut, it’s OK to stop by the New Goshenette restaurant and ask directions.
People are doing that.
Nice place for a meal, too.
Say hello to Patty, the owner.
There’s a pizza place, too: AJ’s Steak & Pizza.
You know kids are picky.
But they might like Pizza made by Garth, and his story about how cool the white buffalo calf is.
Pizza! The perfect snack after buffy viewing!
(Image: Takeaway/Commons.wikimedia.org)
Buffalo or human, it’s cool to keep an eye on the kids.
Watching for thundering hooves,
Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge
Read more:
“Elizabeth Warren and the Politics of Spiritual Genocide”. Indian Country Today. (Interesting article by Native Americans about their heritage. Link to Natives United Against Warren campaign )
About the Texas white buffalo case:
WFAA-TV: ”Authorities say white buffalo died of natural causes” (Article and VIDEO of TX calf)
Indian Country Today Media Network: “White Buffalo was not murdered, Texas authorities say.” (article of TX calf)
About the Connecticut white buffalo:
Norwich,CT Bulletin: “White buffalo to stay at farm in western Connecticut” (CT. news article and picture)
Rep-Am.com: “Rare white buffalo drawing plenty of attention” (Connecticut. Pictures and short article)
Oh, this is a historic home in Goshen, the town near where the little white buffy lives. I just like the German Shepherds. (Image: Docram/commons.wikimedia.org)
What?!?!? I missed out on the beginning of this story I guess because we are on vacation. Crazy.
It’s been a long saga…it really sounded like there was getting ready to some serious confrontations between different Native American groups. Maybe things will calm down now – even if there are unanswered questions. (there were multiple posts starting in May, I think – but you got the summary here)
Does it strike you odd that on one hand there’s stories about a buffalo calf fulfilling an ancient legend along with opposing Native American tribes and on the other you have posts about military basic training? Life is such a strange buffet of events.
Thanks for trotting over!
Our world is a potpourri of stories. A buffet, as you say.
The best part of the last photo is that metal chair by the back door. That’s what we had on the back porch at Grandma’s. But we didn’t have any German Shepherds – or white buffalo, for that matter.
I will say all this buffalo talk is getting me in the mood for a buffalo burger. Ever been to Bubba’s Burger Shack under the Westpark Tollway? A true institution and good food.
I just hope YMDB continues to do well, and the folks up north let things simmer down. I have a feeling even if all the facts were known in that situation, we’d never have the truth.
Those metal chairs were everywhere: red, yellow…and the rusted/rough spots had to be sanded and repainted – and they got really hot in the sun! (but bounced nicely)
Have eaten buffalo burgers in CO, but not locally.
Funny, hadn’t thought about blackleg disease for a long time – we used to point to mud on little cousins’ legs and say they had been hanging out around the cattle too much and now they were catching it!
Thanks for herding thoughts this way
This is an interesting development. It takes away from Little Soldier’s credibility. If the calf died of natural causes (bacterial infection) then why would he make accusations to the contrary? The cynical part of me thinks that he just wanted to drum up publicity and donations. The rest of me hopes that is not the case.
Very very odd. Maybe some good will come of it if the kids get those scholarships. Thanks for riding over
Sounds like a personal disagreement that had nothing to do with the unfortunate death of the calf. Or, as Janna suggests, it could have all been a publicity stunt to profit from the calf’s natural death. Sad all around.
So many got hurt in this thing. As Shoreacres says, we may never know the whole truth. It would be interesting to hang out at the local watering hole and hear what’s being said. Thanks for trotting by
The case of what happened to Lightning Medicine Cloud now seems clear but the rest is speculative, and the stuff of human behavior rather than Spirit. Far better to move on and enjoy Yellow Medicine Dancing Boy for what we know he is, a beautiful white buffalo, than ascribe him star qualities – far too often child star stories end badly
You’ve said all that needs to be said. Yes, let the little guy roll in the mud and snort at silly things. Thanks for packing those comments over here.
Very cool – and quaint – homestead!
There was a little concern – it looked like some wild west type conflicts were about to start up. Maybe things will calm down now. Thanks for saddling up and riding along
Curiouser and curiouser…
Just waiting for that Cheshire Cat to show up….thanks for dropping in
I like your title…Dirt over that White Buffalo…and of course, your message and you know the last photo with the germans…;)
Big woof! (and that’s about all there’s left to say about it) Thanks for hoofing it over