Chief Henry Red Eagle

Henry Perley (1885 – November 15, 1972) was an Algonquin actor, entertainer, wilderness guide, and author. He is commonly known by his pseudonym, Chief Henry Red Eagle. Perley became the youngest licensed guide in the state of Maine at the age of 14. He attended Greenville High School, and during that time earned money by making snowshoes and working in lumber yards. He was not only the first full-blooded Indian to graduate from Greenville High School, but was also class president and graduated valedictorian of his class of 1902.

Perley's family roots can be traced back to the Maliseet Reservation in Tobique, New Brunswick, Canada. He met his wife Wanna Eagle, a professional diver and swimmer, while working at Coney Island's Dreamland. Wanna returned to Greenville, Maine with Perley, where she established the Eagle Haven recovery swim camp on Sugar Island for polio victims. Perley died at the age of 87 in Greenville, Maine on November 15, 1972, and is buried in the Greenville Cemetery. Perley made his first appearance in traveling shows with the Kickapoo Indian Medicine Show, where he performed in full tribal regalia. He then followed an Indian troupe to Great Britain where he performed in 1911 and 1912. After returning to the United States, he joined Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show and the Barnum and Bailey Circus.

During his time working with Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show and Barnum and Bailey's Circus, Perley attracted much attention from Hollywood talent scouts looking to bring "authenticity" to their productions.

Partial filmography Tongues of Flame (1924)