Murder trial of seven Cheyenne (1879)

Seven Native American (Indian) warriors were accused of killing 40 civilians in Decatur County, Kansas.

During their journey south, the Cheyenne stopped to rest for a week in Dodge City, Kansas and became acquainted with many residents, notably lawman Bat Masterson.

After the Battle of Punished Woman's Fork, the Cheyenne needed horses and provisions and raided in the Sappa Creek valley of northern Kansas.

[1][2] After a flight northward of 900 km (560 miles) from Oklahoma, one hundred and fifty of the Cheyenne surrendered at Fort Robinson in October 1878.

Kansas Governor George T. Anthony demanded that the seven be tried in a civilian court and Bat Masterson escorted the Cheyenne by rail from Fort Leavenworth to Dodge City for the trial, arriving there on 17 February 1879.

"[3] The seven Cheyenne were Old Crow, Wild Hog, Strong Left Hand, Porcupine, Tangle Hair, Noisy Walker, and Blacksmith.

The Cheyenne were shackled and put in the Dodge City jail in the damp basement of the county courthouse.

Many people, including journalists from prominent publications in the eastern United States, visited them in jail and gave them cigars in exchange for interviews.

Sheriff Masterson provided food and medical care, and later in their incarceration the Cheyenne were allowed to bathe in the nearby Arkansas River and stay outside in the jail yard rather than the basement.

[6] The Cheyenne were visited in Dodge City by the Indian agent, John DeBras Miles, who knew some of them.

The Cheyenne attended a circus and participated in a rodeo, enacting a mock battle on horseback with local cowboys.

A committee of the United States Senate interviewed them on 12 August and Wild Hog presented his case of mistreatment of the Cheyenne while at the reservation in Indian Territory.