Pocatello and many of his people felt betrayed and rejected Mormonism. They continued their struggle against hunger on the reservation. Pocatello withdrew from participation in reservation affairs and lived his remaining years in discontent. In October 1884 the chief died. According to his instructions, his body, along with his clothing, guns, knives, and hunting equipment, were bound together and tossed into a deep spring in southern Idaho. Eighteen horses were also slaughtered and rolled into the spring on top of the chief.

See: Brigham D. Madsen, Chief Pocatello: The "White Plume" (Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press, 1986).