Nicole Hargrave, age 14, of Dayton, Ohio, for her question:

WAS THERE REALLY A CHIEF CRAZY HORSE?

There was indeed an Indian chief named Crazy Horse. He was one of the leaders of the Minneconjou band of the Oglala Sioux Indians.

Members of the United States Cavalry destroyed Crazy Horse's village because the chief had disregarded the government's order to enter a reservation. Seaking revenge, Crazy Horse became one of the main leaders in the Sioux War of 1876.

Crazy Horse led the Sioux and Cheyenne, who defeated Gen. George Crook in the battle of the Rosebud in Montana. Eight days later, Crazy Horse led the Indians in the battle of the Little Bighorn, where Gen. George A. Custer and his command were wiped out.

As a boy, Crazy Horse was named Curly. After his first great war deed, his father, who was himself a chief named Crazy Horse, gave his name to the boy.

Crazy Horse had a quiet manner and did not boast of his great war deeds as was the tribal custom. He had unusual spiritual powers. The Sioux called him their "Strange One."

In 1877, White Horse voluntarily surrendered to American troops. Shortly after he was arrested. While being forced into a jail cell, Crazy Horse was killed by a soldier.

Crazy Horse is immortalized by a gigantic stone sculpture in the Black Hills of South Dakota.