Eddie Herman letter to George Hyde, March 1, 1951.

This letter, from Rapid City, SD, was one of several dozen to the Nebraska historian included in a collection of papers once belonging to Hyde. The collection was acquired from the Cheyenne bookdealer Pat Hall by Powers. In the account of a gunfight with the James Gang which follows the name of the “Janis” boys – descendants of Antoine Janis – is also spelled “Janes” and even “James,” but Janis would be correct throughout.

Friend Hyde:

I went to see Shangreau but his son-in-law, Asa Steel, was seriously ill with heart condition. Had a hell of a time making Shangreau understand me.

He was born when currants were in bloom somewhere near Cheyenne, Wyoming, son of Jules Shangreau. Called Long Hair by Sioux. Jules Killed by Sioux. After their father’s death they followed the buffalo-hunting Indians. Louis was 15 years old and the Indians gave him buffalo meat to help the family.

Their band was Red Cloud’s. Jules shangreau had married a relative of Red Cloud. Jules Shangreau came from France. Worked in a store somewhere near or at Cheyenne, Wyoming. After Jules Shangreau was killed the Indians called Louis Long Hair. After Louis Shangreau’s death William took the name Long Hair.

William Shangreau will be married 65 years 18 of August 1951. His wife is daughter of John Lee, a soldier at Fort Laramie.

Indian named Big Head was beaten by Pete and Willie Janis. Richard clan retaliated by killing Janis boys. (Pete and Willie sons of Antoine Janis killed in drunken brawl with the Richards.) Emily Tibbetts shot Baptiste Perro [Pourier] Indian who brought word of Richard killing.

Thunder Bear’s Indian name was Wils hu or Blood Flowing Thinly. Spotted Bear was name of Indian called Bad Face (son of Smoke). [Probable meaning: Spotted Bear was a son of Smoke and a member of the Bad Face band.]

This last question Mr. Hyde was a damned touchy one. After writing that Woman Dress article I felt like a cornered Wolf the way they glared at me but they did answer.

Billy Garnett, William and Louis Shangreau, Jolla Bissonette, Jim Richard and John Richard fought the James gang at a saloon or trading post close to Fort Laramie.

Jim Richard killed Jolla Bissonette wounded shot through the stomach he recovered.

Janes gang had hired a Ladeau boy for a guide then they killed him. Before he died an Indian found Ladeau. Ladeau said go and tell Richards that the white robbers shot me. Afterward the James gang rode in. John Richard insisted on a fair fight. They called the James gang outside. Going out of the door one of the James boys shot Jim Richards. That opened the ball. One James gang was down still firing from a prone position. Emily Janes Richard shot this man in the face killing him. Two of James killed and Frank James who done most of shooting was held on his horse. He had been shot plumb center by Louis Shangreau.

Both sides were badly shot up and the Richards and Shangreaus were too crippled to follow. John Richard and Louis Shangreau did most of shooting.

Cant get any more info regarding Horse Creek fight.

Will this man pay me to get some dope on Major Twiss. I would have to spend a few days on the reservation. We are too broke to do it for nothing.

I am getting a packet of letters written by John Richard. The old man or John Jr. Did Leedy send you Wounded Knee story? Taken from Illustrated American, Jan. 10, 1891 correspondent in field at Pine Ridge.

Louis Shangreau always said “Billy Garnett was a coward.” Wm Shangreau [said] “When Richard was killed Garnett ran out of lodge and jumped clear over a horse. Shangreau’s.”

Louis Shangreau at Battle of Rosebud.

Louis Shangreay and Big Bat P. were sole survivors of fight with Cheyennes, small detachment of soldiers killed. Escaped by sliding down a cliff. Shangreau said when Big Bat hit the bottom Louis was lying close by and Big Bat said Thank God I may live to see my wife and children.

Bill Janis my father-in-law says that Wm. Shangreau was always an old no good bastard. Cold blooded in business and his word was no good. Bill Janis [said] “when I was a kid he bought a gallon of whiskey from me when I stopped at his place. Then he ordered me away so I stole forty head of his steers to pay for the whiskey.”

It would seem cattle were cheap or whiskey was high priced in those days. Anyway Bill thought it was justice.

We want an autographed picture of you please send one. Autograph it to James Bernadette Herman.

We haven’t any job and no prospects so we are having a hell of a time.

I am quitting Journal. I only get 10 cents a column inch and 50 cents an inch for photos. The hell with them.

Do you think a book of these articles would sell?

Bill Janis’ life would make a good story he was raised by ol Spit, Ribs and some of the old warriors. He has been a wolf of the praries. He was indicted every spring and fall in Federal Court for grand larceny over a period of 23 years and never convicted. Judge Wyman once screamed out as he threw a book, “Bill Janis your name isn’t in God’s book.”

Bill was never convicted of a crime. Yet he stole thousands of head of stock.

It would tell how the Sioux adjusted them self to the reservation.

Write we are keeping all your letters in our scrap book.

Eddie.