High Plains History; Rawlins County Indian Battles

[Female Speaker] Okay this is Rawlins County Indian battles, and the reader is Craig Cox from Atwood. [Craig Cox] Although hostilities between whites and native americans occurred throughout the west, before the end of the Civil War, the plains indian wars became a major concern to Kansans, after 1865. Various plains tribes associate with Kansas, such as the Kiowa and the Cheyenne, clashed with white settlers who encroached upon their traditional hunting grounds, during the years following the war between the States. Several individuals skirmishes and two sizeable battles occurred in northwest Kansas, within the boundaries of what is now Rawlins County. Before the first homesteaders arrived in 1875, near what now is the town of Ludell, the open prairie was visited only by wild animals, indians, buffalo hunters, and some longhorn cattle driven along the Texas trail to Ogallala Nebraska. In April of that year, some

seventy five northern Cheyenne were traveling through western Kansas, on their way back to the black hills. They were camped on the banks of the Sappa Creek when they were intercepted by troops from Fort Wallace and a fierce battle ensued. Only one indian escaped. Three years later, a fight that has become known as the last battle in Kansas, occurred when a band of three hundred Cheyenne, led by Chiefs Dull Knife and Little Wolf, fled indian territory for their homeland to the north. On their flight through western Kansas forty settlers were killed, and a great deal of property was stolen or destroyed. On October 1st, 1878, they crossed Beaver Creek, in Rawlins County, and killed thirteen settlers. After the raid, they killed many cattle in the canyon to the south, which is now known as Hundred Head Draw. As they fled north, the Cheyenne is left behind a wounded in indian boy, who was later killed by white settlers. A drive through Rawlins County will take you

by several areas that are steeped in Native American history. You'll see Sappa Creek battle site, the union cemetery, and several grave sites where victims of the last battle are buried. You can also visit the indian boy monument, which was erected by the CB & Q Railroad in 1900, or stop at Pawnee grove, where Native American tribes used to gather and hold councils. And you can stand at Indian Bluff, where years ago indian braves stood guard while squas washed clothing and bathe in the waters of the little Beaver Creek below. Thanks to the Kansas State Historical Society and the Rawlins County Historical Museum for contributing to this story. For High Plains Public Radio, I'm Craig Cox in Atwood Kansas. [Female Speaker] Ok, anything you want to redo? I think it sounded pretty good. [Craig Cox] I think so too. Should we do it agian just for the heck of it? [Female Speaker] Yeah, lets do one more and that way she can cut. [Craig Cox] Alright.

Are you ready? [Female Speaker] Mhm. Althought, hostilities between whites and Native Americans occurred throughout the west before the end of the Civil War, the plains indian wars became a major concern to Kansans after 1865. Various plains tribes, associate with Kansas, such as the Cheyenne and Kiowa, clashed with white settlers who encroached upon their traditional hunting grounds, during the years following the war between the States. Several individuals skirmishes, and two sizable battles occurred in northwest Kansas, within the boundaries of what is now Rawlins County. Before the first homesteaders arrived in 1875, near what is now the town of Ludell, the open prairie was visited only by wild animals, indians, buffalo hunters, and longhorns driven along the Texas trail to Ogallala Nebraska. In April of that year some seventy five northern Cheyenne were traveling through western Kansas

on their way back to the black hills. They were camped on the banks of the Sappa creek, when they were intercepted by troops from Fort Wallace and a fierce battle ensued. only one indiana escaped. Three years later, a fight that has become known as the last battle in Kansas, occurred when a band of three hundred Cheyenne, lead by chiefs Dull Knife and Little Wolf, fled indian territory for their homeland to the north. On their flight through western Kansas forty settlers were killed and a great deal of property was stolen or destroyed. On October 1st 1878, they crossed the Beaver Creek in Rawlins County and killed thirteen settlers. After the raid they killed many cattle, in the canyon to the south which is now known as Hundred Head Draw. As they fled north the Cheyennes left behind a wounded indian boy, who was later killed by white settlers. A drive through Rawlins County will take you by several areas that are

steeped in Native American history. You'll see the Sappa Creek battle site, the union cemetery, and several grave sites were victims of the last battle are buried. You can also visit the Indian Boy monument which was erected by the CB & Q Railroad in 1900, or stop at Pawnee Grove, where native american tribes used to gather and hold councils, and you can stand at an indian bluff, were years ago braves stood guard while squas washed clothing and bathe in the waters of the little Beaver Creek below. Thanks to the Kansas State Historical Society and the Rawlins County Historical Museum for contributing to this story. For High Plains Public Radio I'm Craig Cox in Atwood Kansas.