The daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Ind. Ter. [Okla.]) 1898-1902, 1900-06-04
CHIEFS TRIED IN WAR DRESS.
Eloquence OF Red Men In a Murder
Case Where One Man Was
a Coward.

Satanta, Satank and Big Tree were
Z Kiowa chiefs. The trial of the first
two for the murder of seven teamsters
in Texas in 1871 was the last notable
one in which Indians figured. Such a
trial at this time would interest the
whole country. Occurring at an early
day at place remote from telegraph
facilities-and from railway communica-
ton. it was little known beyond the
town where the chiefs were arraigned
in their war paint. They we're desper-
ate men, and the safety of the court,
lawyers and witnesses required that
the chiefs should appear manacled, says
the New York Sun.
Judge Samuel w. 7. Lanham, mem
ber of congress for 16 terms from the
Eighth Texas district, was the prose-
cutting attorney at the trial held at
Jacksboro, Gen. w. T. Sherman was
the means of having the chiefs brought
to trial. Teamsters employed by gov
ernment contractors to deliver grain
TO forts along the frontier had camped
for the night on the military road be-
tween Fort Richardson and Fort Grif-
fin. They were attacked by Indians.
whose weaponsswere bows and arrows
and tomahawks. Seven, white men
were massacred, horses stolen and
grain destroyed. A few teamsters
escaped.
Gen. Sherman was on the frontier in
specting government posts, and came
upon the scene a. few hours after the.
fight. He examined the arrows found
in the dead, and by reason of the famil-
iarity with the customs of various
tribes, he said the arrow marks were
those of the Kiowas. White men in bat
tie are distinguished by their flag.
Indians paint the characters of their
tribe on their arrows. Gen. Sherman
hastened to Fort Sill and informed the
civil authorities, insisting that they
should follow up the massacre and
bring the perpetrotars to trial. A few
days later Satanta, Satank and Big
Tree went to Fort Sill to draw govern
ment supplies. They had pow WOW,
the result of mean whisky. Satanta
mounted dry goods box and boasted
that he and Satank and Big Tree had
killed seven Tehanas (Texans), and |
were sorry they had not killed more.
A government interpreter heard the
speech and reported to the civil au- I
thorities. Arrest followed. and the |
three chiefs were started, handcuffed, !
under strong guard, to Jacksboro. On
the march Big Tree, whose powerful |
physique gave him his name. tore away I
his handouts and alone made fero-
cious attack upon the guard He
fought with such desperation that he
was killed.
The march was resumed, and Satanta
and Satank were placed in prison and
guarded day and night. They were in
dicted and brought to trial, before
Judge Charles Seward. The two chiefs
were fully advised of their rights by the
court. through an interpreter. Counsel
was appointed for their defense
Ball, now living in Virginia,
and ". Voolfolk, living in Texas, APP
peared for the chiefs. Except for
their manacles," said Judge Lanham,
mo white men ever had fairer trials. ;
But IL was considered unsafe to bring
them into court without handcnffs. for
they were the most powerful men
syer see. The chiefs insisted. on ae-
count of their rank. upon appearing in
heir war paint, and in their war dress
hey were tried. They were convicted,
md told by an interpreter of the court
hat they could speak If they so wished.
;atanfa was the first TO avail himself
4 this right.
7 am a suuaw. he said. 'Satanta no Z
lighting chief. Great Medicine man. 7
% good TO sick. Don't want TO die.
ct squaw GO satanta viii 60 to his =
,eople on Red river. and he make his ,
.eople be at peace. Whole country TO
ied river open 70 palefaces. Palefaces
an come with monies "a hank az Red I