Deerfoot

[4][5] In a race in New York City, Deerfoot gained attention while running against the English national team coached by his future manager, George Martin.

He lost a six-mile race against Edward (or Teddy) Mills in September 1861, but defeated John (or Jack) White — “the Gateshead Clipper”[5] — in a four-mile contest a few days later, and directly after outran both of them in a 10-mile championship.

[citation needed] During Deerfoot's time in England, it is safe to generalize that he won many races with style, and maintained a rowdy nightlife off the track to back up his "exotic" persona he deployed to gain fan attention.

Deerfoot gained fame and attention for many reasons in England: his scorching fast times, his infuriating tactics, and his scantily clad athletic garb attracted a wide variety of fans.

In the most famous of which, Deerfoot would sit at a bar with a guest of honor until late hours of the night, then allowed his entourage to watch him retire on his hotel room floor wrapped in a bear skin vehemently rejecting to sleep in the bed.

[8] The spikes had risen in popularity due to the plushy nature of tracks at the time period, which were often mulch based instead of compacted materials people run on currently.

[4] Legends from his local Snipe Clan of the Seneca tribe boast of a tale in which Deerfoot outpaced a horse on such a long run that the animal died of exhaustion.

The group was recognized quickly as a farce and although the tour continued through England, Martin resolved to force the runners onward.

The only known photo of Deerfoot
The bones of Deerfoot, the famous Indian runner, lie no longer in an unmarked grave on the Cattaraugus Reservation, but have been brought to Buffalo and sleep beside those of Red Jacket, Gen. Barker, and other Iroquois chiefs. The transfer was made between March 27th and 29th, the burial in the grave taking place on the latter date. Joseph Keppler of Puck, a member of the Wolf clan of Senecas, was the one through whom the change was made, and Mrs. Harriet Maxwell Converse had charge of the ceremony of the burial. Deerfoot, or Lewis Bennett, has been dead for 5 years. He won prize after prize by his fleetness. He appeared first on the racetrack in 1865. England as well as America admired this Indian runner and yielded him championships. He was born in 1830.
Deerfoot's gravestone at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Buffalo, New York