Notes on Stone Lakota

This piece describes a local North Platte Nebraska landmark called Sioux Lookout. The Lookout is the highest hill along the south edge of the Platte River valley along the historic Overland/Oregon Trail.

In 1931 Lincoln County citizens erected a statue on the summit of the Lookout with this dedication "In honor of them that were laid away during that mighty march in the conquest of an empire". It's a rebar and concrete Indian in full regalia, one hand shielding his eyes, the other holding a rifle. He gazed out over the valley, over the trail that brought the invasion of his land. Vandals defaced, defiled and almost destroyed the statue.

The county talked the National Guard into plucking Stone Lakota off the Lookout with a helicopter. It was refurbished and is now on the Lincoln County Courthouse square.