Here's another famous misquotation: "The only good Indian is a dead Indian", supposedly uttered by General Sheridan of the US Army.

What actually happened was...Sheridan was at Fort Cobb, receiving some Comanches, who had been persuaded to surrender "unconditionally"...a concept of negotiation that the US Army has remained fond of to this day.

One Comanche leader, Tosawi, wanted to demonstrate good will on meeting the general and introduced himself, saying to Sheridan, "Tosawi, good Indian."

Sheridan eyed him coldly and said, "The only good Indians I ever saw were dead."

Lieutenant Charles Nordstrom was present, and noted the words, and passed them on. In a short time the phrase became shortened to the simpler one we have all heard. It sums up the US policy toward opening up the west in a nutshell.

- LH