Hugh Pendexter

“ The different fur companies in this country and Canada also gave medals. Among the western Indians, during the height of the Trans-Mississippi fur trade, some bitterness was occasioned among the tribes because men who were not renowned in war, nor elevated to the office of chief, were selected by the well-meaning but ignorant Washington officials and returned to their tribes laden with medals.
In some instances the genuinely big men of a tribe refused to wear medals when receiving them. ”