In May 1877, the Ponca tribe was forced to leave their beloved Niobrara Homeland when the Government forced them to leave, escorted by the U.S. Army. The Ponca were unable to take horses, wagons or even extra clothes. This peaceful tribe was forced to walk 600 miles south to Indian Territory in Oklahoma. Chief Standing Bear was part of this forced journey. As they neared the town of Neligh, Nebraska, a baby girl in the tribe died. Her name was White Buffalo Girl. The agent went into the town of Neligh and asked the town carpenter if he would make a cross for White Buffalo Girl. The next morning, on May 24, 1877, a graveside service was held for White Buffalo Girl. The Indian do not leave their dead but the parents had no choice. Her father, Black Elk, pleaded with the Neligh people to please take care of his baby daughter as the U.S. Army would not allow him and her mother, Moon Hawk, to stay there where she was buried. He asked them to please treat her as though she were one of their own. For all these years, since May 1877, the people of Neligh have honored that pledge. This grave is the only grave in the cemetery allowed to have flowers on it year round. This is the grave of White Buffalo Girl.

The Ponca Trail of Tears from the Niobrara to the Indian Territory in Oklahoma lasted 55 days, May 16 - July 9, 1877.

Bio from Jim W:
"White Buffalo Girl was the daughter of Chief Black Elk & Moon Hawk, of the Ponca Indian Tribe. The tribe was traveling, the little girl was ill and she died when they reached the town of Neligh. Chief Black Elk asked the townspeople to bury her and look after her grave. Even after 132 years, the people of Neligh still decorate the grave of "White Buffalo Girl".

That's the way the story was told to me. Her grave is in the southern section of Laurel Hill, northwest of the shed."