"One on One, Otoes will Win", from Nebraska History and Record of Pioneer Days, Volume VI
For years, the Otoe tribe had trade agreements with the French and the Missouria tribe, who together established a fortified trading post on the Missouri River. About 10-20 years later, French influence diminished, providing an opportunity for the Spanish to expand their trading territory.
Spanish troops dispatched from Santa Fe attacked and defeated five tribes before turning their attention to the combined Otoe-Missouria tribe. The Missouria numbers had been greatly reduced by war with the Sac and Fox and the Winnebagos, and they joined with the Otoes for protection and to avoid extinction.
Although the Otoe-Missourias were a relatively small group, they were known by the other tribes as cunning and capable warriors; however, the Spanish who had no previous contact with the Otoes were unaware of the Otoe reputation. The Otoe-Missourias were warned by their new allies, the Pawnee, of the approaching Spanish troops and went out to meet them, representing themselves as Pawnee who would be willing to lead them to the Otoe camp.
In their ignorance, the Spanish revealed their plan to destroy the Otoes. The Otoes camped with the Spanish that night and danced to Otoe songs, which alerted the Comanche scouts to their true identify and the Comanches fled. Still clueless, the Spanish were unconcerned, believing themselves protected by their supposed Pawnee allies.
The following day, the Otoes proposed another dance, during which they asked the Spanish for their lances, as a show of good faith. After the Spanish handed over their weapons, the Otoe chief positioned his warriors around the Spanish, then signaled the start of the attack by firing a pistol. The Otoes, Missourias and Pawnees attacked the Spanish; it is estimated that 60 Spanish troops and 140 Pueblo slaves were killed.
The Spanish never ventured up the Missouri river again.
I am proud of our tribe and my clan's (Eagle clan) warrior tradition. We have served this country since becoming Americans. This story of our history is dedicated to the memory of my mother Mary Cleghorn/Cha Yeh Me (Sleeping Buffalo) and my grandmother Marge Hudson/Munh Ghlay Dah Me (Sees From Above), both Otoe War Mothers, who joined Wakonda (the Great Spirit) this year. I love you both and will see you again.
My grandmother served in the Coast Guard during WWII and was one of the most staunch supporters of America that I've ever known. My mother was a champion of human rights, a warrior for progressive causes, and a powerful community organizer whose legacy still resonates in Southern California.