40 NEBRASKAland • JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2016
Dawes County
Perhaps the most familiar Lover's
Leap in the state features a cliff wall
overlooking Crawford at Fort Robinson
State Park. While most agree that
it's one of the region's most familiar
landmarks, not all agree on which tale
about the butte is "the right one."
One story, an account from a 1936
article in the Northwest Nebraska
News, has young Sioux chief Eagle
Feather instantly falling in love with
Crimson Cloud of the then rival
Cheyennes while on a reconnaissance
mission in preparations for attack. He
was so taken by her that he decided
to not raid the tribe, but rather to
come alone and capture the maiden.
He arrived with two horses, literally
swept her off her feet while she was
alone at a nearby creek and carried her
off with her consent. The two tribes
soon realized the pair's forbidden
relationship and began pursuit. "The
lovers, caught between the two
opposing forces, were driven to the
highest point in the hills. Seeing no
chance of escape, with their arms about
each other they leaped from the high
cliff and were crushed to death." The
bright side, according to the tale: "The
Sioux and Cheyenne did not continue
their fight but became united against
their common enemies and were
henceforth as one people."
Pound wrote of another account she
learned from a nearby resident. The
woman, who claimed to have verified
her story with a member of the Sioux
while on a bus ride, said the battle was
instead between the Crows and Sioux.
Above: Lover's Leap Butte, Dawes County. Photo by Justin Haag.
