Distinctly Montana Magazine

M Y M O N T A N A H O M E 9 4 Plenty Coups did put some pieces of furniture in the house, including a chair with a pop-up footrest and a handmade couch. Near the end of his life, Plenty Coups be- gan some renovations on the home inspired by a recent trip to Mt. Vernon, where he toured the home of George Washington. He built a new rectan- gular addition to his house, including a fireplace that emulates one he saw in Washington's estate. Then he raised the ceiling in the original building to match the height of the ceilings of the addition. Plenty Coups reported feeling an affinity for Washington, who also served as the inspiration for one of the last, and most important, decisions of his life. Standing at Washington's grave, he fell into a quiet thoughtfulness: "...In the silence there I sent my thoughts to the Great White Chief in that other life. I spoke to him, and I believe he heard me. I said, 'Great Chief, when you came into power the streams of your country's affairs were muddy. Your heart was strong, and your tongue spoke straight. Your people listened, and you led them through war to the peace you loved. They remember your words even to this day, are helped and made strong by them. As you helped your people, help me now, an Absarokee chief, to lead my people to peace. I, too, have a little country to save for my children." Plenty Coups told Linderman that the experience made him realize that he wanted to leave his house and the surrounding land to his people, saying, "I felt then that he heard me, and I have not changed my mind... I planned then to leave my house and some land around it, as a park for my people. I wish the title to rest with the tribe itself, and not with any clan or society. I have spent my life here. This spot has shown me in my great med- icine-dream, and I want my people to possess it forever, just as white men own and keep the home of their great Chief, George Washington." The visionary leader achieved that solemn wish; the home still stands,held in trust by the Crow, this state, and the nation. JOSHUA GROSS JOSHUA GROSS MONTANA FISH WILDLIFE AND PARKS WAS SCARCELY FURNISHED. VISITORS AND RESIDENTS WOULD INITIALLY SIT ON A PILE OF BUFFALO ROBES WITH THEIR BACKS AGAINST A WALL, NOT UNLIKE SITTING IN A TIPI. ORIGINALLY, PLENTY COUP S'S HOUSE

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