He and a small group began the long journey north even though they knew they were defying federal orders that restricted them from leaving the reservation.

Once authorities learned what had happened, Standing Bear’s attempt to return home became a federal matter.

The Army was ordered to take the group into custody and return them south.

General George Crook, commanding in the region, carried out the order and had the Ponca detained near Omaha.

Under the normal machinery of federal Indian administration, that might have ended the story.

The government had ordered the Ponca south.