An 1833 massacre of Kiowa Indians by the Osage Indians is probably where the Little Osage chief Chetopah (Tse To pa or Four Lodges) acquired his name.

Chetopah was one of the ten signers of the Drum Creek Treaty in June of 1869.

One of the Little Osage, he held the name of Chetopa (Tse To pa) which means four lodges. He led a war party which killed every man, woman and child in four lodges of Kiowa Indians. Their heads were left in brass buckets as a warning to refrain from hunting in Osage territory.

Arkansas City Traveler, January 17, 1877.

CHETOPAH, a noted chief of the Osages, is very low with consumption, and is not expected to live. He is one of the most intelligent and probably the best Indian of the Osage tribe. The members of his band are daily mourning for him, and paint their faces. If he dies, there will probably be the largest mourning party organized that has ever left the Agency. The Agent has been assured by leading men of the tribe that they will not commit any depredation when the mourning party goes out, but that they will merely go through the form of sending an enemy's scalp with him to the happy hunting grounds. On such an occasion, it can hardly be expected that they will lay aside all religious rites and the established customs of their forefathers, and we would not like to be caught in the Territory alone while the party is out.

"Che-to-pah" means four lodges, and the name is derived from the old chief attacking and capturing four lodges of his enemies many years ago. He will be remembered by many of our citizens, who always had considerable esteem for him.

Arkansas City Traveler, January 31, 1877.

It is well known by those of our readers who are acquainted with Indian history that rank or position in the tribeCof Osages especiallyCis accorded by hereditary right, either with or without qualification; but Che-to-pah was an exception to this rule. Royal blood did not give him position, above others. He was a self-made man among savages, who had forced his way, step by step, from one position to another, and ending his earthly career just one stop below that of his highest ambition.

He was a politician among savages, and at an early day he sawCas few of his race didC

that the advancing hordes of civilization were encroaching upon the rights of Indians. At a time when it was unpopular among his people to advocate the cause of civilization, he saw before him two roads: the way of his ancestors with the enchantments of the chase; and the road to civilization and self-support by tilling the soil. In the absence of buffalo and the scarcity of other wild game, he saw necessity for the abandonment of the former and the acceptance of the latter; and though clad in a blanket, he put his children in school and advocated the civilization and education of his people.

Che-to-pah was a Chief CounselCor for the tribe, and the subject upon whom presents and favors were not unfrequently bestowed by the Agent, thus continuing his fidelity and alienating him from a portion of the tribe.

A little more than a year ago, the rupture assumed such formidable proportions that bloodshed among the Osages was loudly threatened, and in evidence of which we here quote from Agent Gibson to Supt. Hoag under date of Oct. 21, 1875.

"Last night I sent a request to the nearest military station (Cheyenne and Arapaho Agency) for 100 cavalry for the purpose of preserving life and Government property at this Agency." . . .

The cavalry came and the bitterness of feeling that had been fostered in both factions culminated, but was lessened in no degree. The military remained two months and possibly prevented an outbreak and the shedding of blood, but still the party strife, in all the force of savage nature, was yet obvious and continued up to and on the advent of Cyrus Beede, the present U. S. Agent.

Che-to-pah was at the head of one party; and Joe Pah-ne-no-pah-she was at the head of the other. Each desired to be Governor of the tribe. The friends of no two Presidential candidates ever resorted to means more questionable to secure election or installation. Both parties claimed the electoral vote, and in this condition Agent Beede found the Osages less than one year ago. Two days were spent in tumultuous council before an opportunity was given him even to suggest a remedy for the trouble, which they felt their inability to settle in peace. At the close of the second day's council, when both parties were in despair, they were ready for the advice of their new Agent, which was an acknowledgment of Joe Pah-ne-no-pah-she as Governor, and Che-to-pah as Chief Counselor.

The fact of their being the leaders of contending factions gave them power to harmonize a distracted people, and also to led them on to a higher and better life. This advice being so unlike that given by their former Agent was a surprise; but at last accepted, and Joe and Che-to-pah were made Governor and Chief Counselor. The heated term now rapidly passed, and at the instance of Agent Beede, the Osages elected a Business Committee which, in conjunction with the Governor and Chief Counselor, transacts the necessary business of the tribe, and of whom mention was made in a former number of this paper.

Che-to-pah and Joe now became warm friends, and in proof of which, with the esteem in which Agent Beede was held by Che-to-pah, even to the last, there is no better evidence needed than which was witnessed in Che-to-pah's camp by Acting Commissioner Galpin, Superintendent Nicholson, and ourself on the 31st day of last month.

Che-to-pah had for some months suffered from disease, and being conscious of his near approach to death, runners were sent to invite Agent Beede, the Business Committee, and the gentleman above named, to his wigwam. After giving general instructions as to the disposition of his affairs, he referred to his life as a public servant and said he had hoped that he might live to do still more for his people; but that now death was near. He had two favorite ponies at the door of his lodge, one of which he requested Agent Beede to accept as a token of his friendship for him, and his confidence in his fidelity to the interests of the Osages; and the remaining one was his last present to Governor Joe, for whom he cherished no feeling of bitterness, but one of friendship.

Under the best treatment and nursing that could be given him in the absence of sufficient medical supplies and proper hospital accommodations, he rallied; and for eight days gave hope of ultimate recovery, but relapsed and died on the 9th inst. Indian Herald.

Although fierce Kansas winds swept the surrounding country, it was Chetopah who told the cyclone tale to Mr. and Mrs. William Benedict. He was seated at the Benedict table eating his dinner when Mr. Benedict said that his wife feared cyclones. Chetopah raised up, stretched out his arms and said: "White squaw be no 'fraid. Big wind never come. With wa-wa here and wa-wa there big wind no come. I know, been here forty years!" This prophecy has held true for nearly a hundred years.