Father Francis M. Craft, Missionary to the Sioux

Of all the Americans who have played a role in the lives of the Sioux, perhaps none has been more intriguing, eccentric, or controversial than Father Francis M. Craft. Bayoneted at the Battle of Gettysburg, trained in medicine, and a former mercenary in the Franco-Prussian War, Father Craft was equally fearless and compassionate, impatient and astute. Called 'Hovering Eagle' by the Sioux, he was not reluctant to speak his mind or even resort to fisticuffs with his charges, but the Father also was remembered by Black Elk as a 'very good man, and not like the other Wasichus'. Father Craft ministered to the Sioux for two decades during the turbulent years after Sitting Bull surrendered at Fort Buford in 1881. Serving at different times on the Pine Ridge, Rosebud, Standing Rock, and Fort Berthold reservations, he became famous when he was severely wounded at Wounded Knee in 1890.In later years, he struggled to found an Indian sisterhood that could minister to the needs of the Christian Sioux, and railed against government policies that, he contended, encouraged corruption and degradation of Indians. Thomas W.Foley's well-researched and balanced account of Father Craft's fascinating life sheds light on his key role in Sioux and missionary history, on his dedication to Indian causes, and Father Craft's lifelong struggle against personal demons that antagonized many in the church and federal government and led to accusations of insanity by his powerful critics. Thomas W. Foley is a retired labor-personnel executive. He began transcribing Father Craft's journals in the 1960s. Following retirement in the 1990s, Foley and his wife retraced the footsteps of Father Francis M. Craft from the Dakotas to New York, Washington and his final resting place in Milford, Pennsylvania. Subsequent research took them to monasteries in North Dakota, Indiana, and Switzerland; and to archives in Milwaukee, New York, Philadelphia, Washington, and Rome.