Throughout the book "Frontier Scout", one thing is abundantly obvious - there is a deep and unwavering devotion between the North Brothers & the Pawnee Indians. Here Lute offers a seldom seen insight into the manner of men they were.

The dress of the Pawnee male consisted of a breech clout, leggings, fringed at the side, and reaching from ankle to thigh, and moccasins.

Over all this, when the weather demanded, was worn the buffalo robe, the hair side turned out. Paint was freely used in ornamentation, especially on the face and breast. Black, as is the case of most tribes, was the color for war. Red, white, and yellow, were used merely for ornamentation The Pawnee weapons were the bow and arrow, the lance, the club, and the hatchet. Although they were accustomed to having firearms, the use of the bow and arrow persisted as their main weapon for a number of reasons. First, the arrow cost only time to manufacture, and the Indian had an abundance of time. An arrow too, could be used over and over again, while the cartridge could be used only once. In their war expeditions, the bow was a favorite weapon because it was noiseless. Most warriors left their rifles at home and carried only their bows so that they might not be tempted by the sight of an enemy to fire a shot, and bring themselves and their companions into danger.

The Pawnees were a race of warriors. War was their pleasure and their business. By war they gained credit, respect, fame. By war they acquired wealth. They were brave men, but brave in a different sort of way. Their courage was not displayed in the same way as that of the white man's. They thought it foolish to expose themselves unnecessarily. An enemy was to be surprised and killed with the least amount of effort. To meet him in what we call a fair fight when there was chance to kill him from an ambush would have seemed insane or desperate. And yet, they often faced death with a calmness and an indifference which indicated the highest physical courage.

Just click on photo to enlarge then close that window to return here

The Famous Pawnee Scouts

Click HERE to read Lutes adventure with Buffalo Bill Cody.

Some of the excerpts through out this area, were taken from a book called "Luther North, Frontier Scout" - and written by Jeff O'Donnell. Some of the photos, primarily those of his parents, his funeral and the military photo, are from the Nebraska State Historical Society.