Sadness/Tragedy

From the first sentence when the reader is told that John Johnston's pregnant wife had been killed and scalped by Crow Indians, tragedy is front and center as one of the main themes of the true story of Crow Killer, The Saga of Liver-Eating Johnson. The fact that for years after, acting in revenge Johnston kills and scalps Crow Indians, is testimony to his anger, sadness and his unquenchable need for revenge.

The lead-up to the main tragedy of Johnston's life begins when Johnston embarks on a trapping expedition leaving his Flathead Indian wife, The Swan, alone in their cabin. Tragically, Crow Indians are watchful and see the vulnerable young woman is alone. They ambush her, killing and scalping her. Also a tragic victim is the unborn child of The Swan and her Mountain Man, John Johnston. Johnston returns home months later to find a vulture picking...