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Arkansas City Traveler

FAMED INDIAN SCOUT DIES

‘Plenty Fires’ Was A Peacemaker Of Early Oklahoma

March 12, 1927—Arkansas City Traveler—Fort Sill, Okla.—I-See-O, one of the greatest Indian peacemakers and last of the famous Kiowa scout detachment of early Oklahoma days, is dead.

            He died of pneumonia at his tent home on the army reservation here yesterday.  He was stationed here with the permanent rank of sergeant.  He was credited with being the oldest soldier on duty with the United States army and although his exact age was unknown, many believed was 79 years old.

            I-See-O meaning “Plenty Fires” became famous for his work in quieting Indians of several tribes when they went on the warpath in 1890 during a ghost dance craze, in which hundreds of tribesmen and whites were killed.

            As a reward he was made a sergeant of life by a special act of congress.  Although better quarters were provided, he refused to leave his tent and coked his food over an open fire.