By Bob Krauss
Advertiser Columnist

Unbuckle your gun belt, pardner, gather round the camp fire and hear the true story of the Hawaiian youth who was captured by the Indians and adopted by Chief Sitting Bull, who did in General Custer at his Last Stand.

This unlikely Hawaiian went by the name of Frank Grouard. He became the chief scout for the U.S. Army fighting Indians in the Wild West.

The person who discovered him was Nakila Steel, who is doing some very original research by translating old Hawaiian newspapers. Here are excerpts translated from a story in the Kuakoa of Sept. 30, 1876:

"A Hawaiian by name of Frank Grouard is living as a scout in the American Army under General (George) Crook, fighting Sioux Indians. Let us read his touching story and consider the way he has overcome the misfortune that befell him.

"Frank Grouard is a native of Honolulu, the principal city of the Hawaiian Archipelago, who as a youth worked as a sailor aboard ship in the Pacific. In 1865 he was living in San Francisco working as a mail guard between California and Montana.

"During one of his trips on a lonely trail he was captured by Crow Indians and taken prisoner. The Crows took him many miles from the road, and in a lonely forest, stripped off his clothes and possessions, then released him to wander alone.

"He wandered, cold and hungry, a piece of fur for clothing, eating grasshoppers and other bugs for food. When he had given up hope of surviving, he was discovered by a group of Sioux Indians. Because of his expressions of aloha, they took a liking to him.

"The Sioux took him into a heavily forested area where he was cared for. Chief Sitting Bull adopted him to be his own child of his own blood but with a different language. He grew in stature to be greatly admired by the Indians for his skill and wit. It was as if he had truly become one of them.

"In a very short time, he became one of the best riders of wild Indian horses and he became one of the best shots. He went on raids against Indian enemies. For nine years he lived with the Indians, his manner becoming much like them.

"Then he escaped and met with the haoles. From that time he became a chief scout for the government for the pay of $10 per day. He is 24 years old and is the most trusted scout of General Crook."

Ed Towse, who was city editor of The Advertiser at the time, knew Grouard in Montana. Towse tells conflicting stories, one that the Indian scout was Hawaiian, the other that his mother was a Tongan.

But the journalist was convinced that Grouard should be recognized as a significant hero of the West. "With Grouard as chief scout, victory followed victory," wrote Towse. "General Crook declared him the greatest scout and rider and one of the best shot and bravest men that ever lived."

Grouard's greatest ride for Crook covered 101 miles in 4 hours and 10 minutes using six horses. Three died under him.

Reach Bob Krauss at 525-0873.