Documentation from L.V. McWhorter indicates this axe head from an axe was picked up from the site of the Nez Perce War of 1877 battle The Battle of Canyon Creek. The Battle of Canyon Creek was fought on September 13, 1877 near Canyon Creek, Montana. McWhorter notes that this axe head was found at the site of Colonel Samuel D. Sturgis' U.S. Army camp at the Canyon Creek píiwapciy'awniwaas (battlefield). This Nez Perce War of 1877 battle was considered a victory for the Nimíipuu (Nez Perce) warriors. Normally, the axe head would have been attached to the axe handle, called a haft, but this axe head either came detached at some point or was never attached to the axe haft. Since this axe head was found at the site of a Nez Perce War of 1877 battle, it was likely made in 1877 at the latest. Documentation from L.V. McWhorter notes that this item was donated to him August 1935, but information regarding the specific donator is unknown.
