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"Joseph" was most noted for having led his people from the Wallowa Mountains of north eastern Oregon, to join other chieftains of the Nez Perce in northern Idaho. From here, they fled from Major General Howard in a zig-zag, elusive trail across southwestern Montana, and re-entered Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming, through present day Yellowstone Park. Hence, cold and worn, they were finally brought to bay at the base of the Bear Paw Mountains in north central Montana, just short of their Canadian goal.

Although the Nez Perce warriors were burdened with their women, old men and children, they still managed to fight the U.S. Army on even or better terms. Their combat maneuvers were so admired and respected by the Army, that they are still studied at the West Point Academy.

"Joseph" survived combat, and with the assistance of some of his onetime adversaries, namely General Miles and Major General Howard, succeeded in moving his people from the hot Indian Territory in Oklahoma, (where they were dropping like flies), back to the Colville Indian Reservation in north eastern Washington. Here "Joseph" spent his latter life.

- Bill O'Neill

The War Chief is a Sioux warrior. The Sioux Indians were the same tribe that fought General Custer at the Battle of the Little Big Horn, wiping out his entire command of over 265 men. This Chieftain is 'dressed-out' in Sioux-Cheyenne Indian garb.

Actually, the Sioux Nation is broken into seven sub-tribes, (the Blackfoot, etc.). These seven tribes belong to a family called "Teton Lakota." "Sioux" means "Snake," and this name was bestowed upon them by their native brothers to the east, as a warning to the encroaching white trappers. A Sioux on the ground was just another tough Indian, but put a good war horse under a score of them, and "Watch out USA. Army!" In my opinion, the Sioux were equals to history's best cavalry soldiers... perhaps even better!

- Bill O'Neill

The buffalo was the Plains Indian's meat, utensils, clothing, pottery, lodging, blanket, religion...in short...just about everything! The Plains was a hostile place until the Spaniards lost some horses to the wild herds, and eventually to the Indians. Then, an Indian with a horse under him, was the envy of any man! He was a warrior, a hunter, a king with a crown of feathers...riding tall in the saddle, from one endless horizon to the next.

- Bill O'Neill

While a guide in Yellowstone Park years back, the most common request of many of my guests was for a panoramic picture of the entire area. This way, they could, in effect, "take the Park home with them." Because the glaciers in the Northern Hemisphere carved the mountains on the shadow-side (north), they are far more dramatic looking if viewed from a southerly direction from the north. This is why, as everybody asks, I have the viewer facing South. The area shown is approximately equal in size to the states of Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut COMBINED!!!

- Bill O'Neill

The winter snows have forced the rams and ewes to a lower elevation, but close to the protective cliffs where they can "out-acrobat" any predator.

- Bill O'Neill

The full curl is a hunter's or a cameraman’'s delight! The damaged horn tips are probably caused by rutting season fights, or because of their immenseness, they often 'get in the way' of luscious grass, and are broken off by the ram who will break then off on the nearest rock or tree.

- Bill O'Neill

This picture depicts a nice mule deer head with a very healthy rack, which is designed to discourage some of the would-be predators.

- Bill O'Neill

In a high-country storm, two royal-head bulls, (seven point rack), battle for supremacy of the harem. This combat for the females' favor is known as the rutting season, and occurs in the fall of each year. Often, during the donnybrooks some sneaky young bulls cut-out with the fickle harem queens, leaving the victorious bull wondering if it may have been wiser to just flip a coin.

- Bill O'Neill

These aren't really black bears, or grizzly bears...These are mostly just 'bear bears'! I've seen black cubs frolic and grizzly cubs play, their rambunctious and mischievous actions, driving them onward to greater conquests, like a nip at Momma bear's south end while she was heading north. This results in a matriarchal whoppin', giving way to 'mortally wounded' squealing and moaning, as the cubs clamber up a tree, or hide behind the nearest rock...This layin' low act continues until the next interesting thing happens, like a falling leaf, and then the drama starts all over again.

- Bill O'Neill

A10 - Winter Mallards

Who hasn't set the alarm for some un-Godly hour, in order to make the early morning duck hunt? Equipped with either shot gun or camera, and quickly downing a cup or two (or three) of coffee, you slosh into the water. Only after the icy water splashes over the tops, or seeps through loose patches of your waders, do you realize you're at that favorite place.

- Bill O'Neill

The chilling September bugle of a herd's dominant bull elk, will warn off all would-be challengers to the bull's harem. He usually succeeds in discouraging his adversaries by bluff, but on occasion, some younger bull will challenge, practically always being 'put into retreat' after a brief, but brisk struggle. Eventually, however, the older bull is forced into a severe battle, where his dominant role is tested to the limit! He may, or may not, be replaced by a new monarch! A battle such as this, is indeed a sight to see...

- Bill O'Neill

If the grizzly and the Kodiak are of the same specie of bear, (as some naturalists suspect), then, with the possible exception of the polar bear, you are viewing the world's largest carnivore.

- Bill O'Neill

This is a race between a 'full belly' or a 'full life'! Even though the deer is the cougar's staple food supply, the cougar misses more than he scores...Otherwise, no deer - or overweight cougars, and how many fat cougars have you seen? So, even though this race looks like a 'toss-up,' I'd put money on the buck. He didn't reach maturity by losing races to cougars!

- Bill O'Neill

The only thing bad about being of the younger generation is that you've never seen, nor heard a pounding steam engine up front, with two helpers on the rear, battling the blizzard hump, with 4,500 tons of freight. It took skill and teamwork to keep the serpentining train moving forward, and not squeezing together, or pulling apart like an accordion.

- Bill O'Neill

The moose is the largest member of the deer family. After my experiences with them, I'm willing to bestow the dubious distinction upon them as being the most cantankerous critters in the west!!! Like these two uninvited intruders who had the gall to invade my favorite fishing hole some years back...At a time like this, a show of force is important to dominate the situation, forcing the adversary to retreat. In this case, it worked....After a few bluffing charges, I retreated to the nearest tree, forced to perch on an upper limb until the beasts 'vamoosed'!!!

- Bill O'Neill

Our national symbol...The eagle would have been 'aced-out' by the wild turkey if ol' Ben Franklin would have had his way. I suppose that the Indians and us should all be grateful for the fact that the eagle won this distinction!!! Nothing against the turkey, but, truthfully, he'd look funny on the U. S. silver dollar, and Custer would have looked ridiculous being surrounded by a bunch of Sioux-Cheyenne Indians wearing turkey feathers!!! AND...What would happen to Thanksgiving??? No one can really bring themselves to roast and eat our national emblem!!! (Wouldn't you be shocked and angered if somebody offered you a cold, sliced, eagle sandwich)??!! Yes, as Americans, we can be grateful that the eagle won!!!

- Bill O'Neill

The trapper is returning to his 'cache' where he has stored all his furs for the season, only to find that an unfriendly grizzly has already 'beaten him to the punch.'

- Bill O'Neill

The antelope is a speedy runner and will probably out-maneuver the coyote, in order to escape. However, coyotes hunt in groups, and he probably has a 'relay-system' where another coyote will continue with the chase when the first coyote 'tuckers-out'.

- Bill O'Neill

The 'head-honcho' of the herd has rounded up his mares and, in a showy display of superiority, is warning any young stallions to BACK OFF!

- Bill O'Neill

The incident pictured here probably took place in the Broadwater Hills of eastern Montana. This 'band of merry men' was ambushed by an equal 'band of merry Sioux warriors.'

- Bill O'Neill

The cowboy in "Out-Buffaloed", more than likely, had a 'snoot-full' and thought he could subdue the buffalo with a rope. However, his courage far out-weighed his intelligence. The sober buffalo showed him 'who's who.'

- Bill O'Neill

The wolf is out for his early morning 'jog', looking for an unsuspecting deer or rabbit. I think that the wolf is way too feared by human beings and has taken a 'bad rap' for many things he ain't guilty of doing.

- Bill O'Neill

Even though I am not too fond of traps, in the 'olden days' I can see why they were used.

- Bill O'Neill

As is obvious, the 'Bandito' has relieved Wells Fargo of their loot...and taken a bullet in the arm as a memento. While dressing his wound, he begins to have second thoughts, "What in the 'heck' am I doing with my life?"

- Bill O'Neill

Linda's Grandpappy, U.S. Marshall Tom Kelley, is telling the rustlers to halt...instead of hollerin', he's letting his gun 'do the talkin', telling them more shots are sure to come if they don't stop!!!

- Bill O'Neill

The whitetail deer is surviving the winter as best he can. With all the hunters, wolves and other enemies the deer has, the cold weather seems the least of his problems.

- Bill O'Neill

The cat in the tree is ready to pounce on the crafty rabbit. However, the snow is the rabbit's ally because the falling snow from the branch alerts him to the impending danger.

- Bill O'Neill

The trapper has taken sudden cover from the Indians by hiding in the reeds of the river bank. The Indians, seen in the reflection, have absconded with the trapper's horse and his furs. The trapper is hoping they don't see him hiding and the Indians are just happy that they have made off with one free hoss and some furs.

- Bill O'Neill

In the words of one of our famous Red Brothers,..."The White Man has made us many promises and has broken but one. He promised to take our land, and he took it."

- Bill O'Neill

I did this one w-a-y back when I was 18 years old...nearly as old as Custer's Last Stand!!! (joke!!!)

- Bill O'Neill

Survival of the fittest...winter deals a harsh hand. The eagle and the wolf are both hungry and will do battle to see who dines on the poor dead deer.

- Bill O'Neill

Who is the owner of the territory...The Indian or the bear? They both need it for food, shelter and all that goes with it. Both the Indian and bear are guarding their 'other' territory, possibly to the death. The Indian is protecting his squaw and child...the mother bear is defending her cubs.

- Bill O'Neill

The wolves are interrupting the Indians' sleep - plus they weren't invited. The fire usually holds wolves at bay, but a hungry belly gives them courageous.

- Bill O'Neill

This is one mad Indian. He has seen his people attacked, captured and killed. He has seen entire villages wiped out by the encroaching white man. He is almost crazy with hate and is out to avenge these misdeeds for the ghosts of his people.

- Bill O'Neill

I saw this actually happen, one time, when I was fishing. The grizzlies were too busy fighting to notice me...RUNNING AWAY!!!

- Bill O'Neill

You've heard of "Lucky Duck" Well this is "Poor Fish." The eagle is a fantastic 'angler' and will be able to 'nail' the trout in one fantastic swoop. The slipperiness of the fish is no match for the dagger sharp talons of the eagle. So it's "Bye-bye Fish."

- Bill O'Neill

Winter can be a very brutal time for most wild animals, and these two are no exceptions. As the elk concentrates on foraging for grass, bark, whatever he can eat, the hungry cougar concentrates on his meal...the elk.

- Bill O'Neill

Bill loved life and his love is manifested in his art. He will always be sought after as one of the great artists of the American West. His dynamic persona will forever be missed by those who were privileged to have shared in his life.

Bill had been working on this picture when the disease overtook his determination. It was originally going to be entitled, "Uninvited Guest", but, sadly, it has been renamed, "Commemorative Issue". Bill's small cartoon, on the bottom right hand corner, expresses the thought I am sure Bill would have wanted to leave you with.

A full belly is the main concern of any grizzly trying to 'fatten-up' for the long cold winter ahead. The bears' strong survival instinct will make a very ferocious fight inevitable.

- Bill O'Neill

Even though they are in constant contact with other wild animals, each may be a little curious and a little inquisitive about another animal. A quiet winter day provides ample opportunity  for certain animals to interact with each other on a very unthreatening basis.

- Bill O'Neill