This painting is a thoroughly documented representation of the famous Indian chief, Wa-ta-ma-shee-ta-ha, which modern linguists say means, "small bird that sings in the grass". Unfortunately for future historians, the first newspaper reports of the late 1870's mistakenly called this famous Indian, "Little Snake Flute". I have chosen to use the latter name because it is better known to laymen of Western history.
Little Snake Flute was well known to both General Custer and Buffalo Bill Cody, although neither of the two particularly liked him. Their main complaint was his persistent habit of disappearing before a major engagement. Upon returning after the battle smoke had cleared each time, his excuse was that he didn't participate in the fight because he had gone to a dance.
It is true that Little Snake Flute was a good dancer, and he did disappear often to practice his favorite pastime. Perhaps because of his addiction for the dance, he outlived General Custer, and eventually was employed by Buffalo Bill in his Wild West Show.
He stayed with Buffalo Bill until his untimely
demise in 1892 while on a European tour of the show. That year,
Little Snake Flute suffered an attack of apoplexy while dancing
the tarantella, a popular Sicilian dance of the period.
The Italian Island of Sardinia; because of Little Snake Flute's
enormous contribution to the dance, erected a monument to commemorate
the event.