It is believed Washakie was born among the Flathead – a close ally to many branches of the Shoshonean speaking peoples. Washakie’s father was Flathead. Washakie’s father died when he was a young man. After his father’s death, Washakie, his mother, and siblings wandered the Rocky Mountain area with various kin among several different groups. They spent an entire season with the Eastern Shoshone; a group of Shoshonean peoples closely related to his mother’s Shoshone people and heavily influenced by the mounted Plains “horse culture.” Washakie elected to remain with the Eastern Shoshone. A notable warrior and leader, Washakie brought many Shoshone together to resist the imposition of other tribes. Enemies of the Eastern Shoshone included the Blackfeet, Lakota, Cheyenne, Arapaho, and for the most part, Crow. Washakie was well known as a “friend” to the white man and became a significant diplomat for the Eastern Shoshone people in dealings with the United States government and military. During the frontier unrest of the 1850s, Washakie committed many of his warriors to service with the Federal government as scouts and soldiers battling the “hostile” tribes, and protecting wagon trains. Washakie himself served as scout and advisor to many non-Indian operations against “warring” tribes. He also assisted white trappers, miners, and entrepreneurs. He worked for the Hudson’s Bay and American Fur companies. Before 1863, Washakie took most of the Eastern Shoshone population to Ft. Bridger. By then, the Eastern Shoshone were referred to as “Washakie’s Shoshones” (to distinguish them from other, less cooperative, Shoshonean groups). Later in life, Washakie converted to Christianity and was baptized by the first Episcopalian minister in the area (Rev. Roberts). Chief Washakie had been awarded many military medals. Washakie was given a full military burial. A small monument marks his grave in the Ft Washakie cemetery.
Benjamin Sheldon worked as an attorney in Lander Wyoming in the late 1800s. Benjamin’s eldest daughter, Alice Sheldon worked as his secretary. From 1890 through 1900, Chief Washakie often secured Sheldon’s legal council. Whenever Washakie had legal work done by Sheldon, “he always showed his appreciation by giving my Aunt a present” (Howard “Tubby” Houston correspondence with UW 1987, June 13). Over the ten-year period, Alice Sheldon’s collection of gifts became quite substantial. Benjamin moved to San Diego, California in 1916. Houston was Benjamin’s grandson and Alice’s nephew. When Alice Sheldon passed away in 1953, she left the Washakie artifact collection to her nephew “Tubby” Houston. Howard “Tubby” Houston was born in Wyoming and graduated from the University of Wyoming in 1925. Howard played football for the University of Wyoming in 1922-23; his father played in 1898-1900. Both of Harry’s parents attended UW, and graduated in 1900.
From the guide to the Alice Sheldon's Washakie artifact collection, 1890-1900, (University of Wyoming. American Heritage Center.)
