Chief Big Tree Dies at Anadarka

The following article from the Daily Oklahoman, regarding the death of Chief Big Tree, one of the first Indians to be tried in civil courts is reprinted herewith:

The death of Chief Big Tree on November 13 marked the passing of the last of the old Indian warriors, and recalls one of the most thrilling incidents in the Indian history of western Oklahoma.

Having been made a war chief of the Kiowa tribe while a young man, Big Tree participated in many plundering expeditions and massacres before the warlike tribes of the plains were finally suppressed and induced to live peaceable on the reservations. For his part as one of the leaders in the capture of a government wagon train near Fort Richardson, Texas, in which the trainmaster and six teamsters were killed, Big Tree was arrested together with Satana and Satank, two of the most merciless war chiefs in the entire Indian country. Satank was shot by soldiers who were escorting the prisoners to Texas when he attacked them with a large knife. Santank and Big Tree were convicted in Texas courts and sentenced to be hung, which was later commuted to life
imprisonment.

In November, 1871, however, President Grant presented their case to the Texas governor who released them on parole in 1873. Satank broke his parole and was returned to the penitentiary where he committed suicide. Since Big Tree was only a young man, it was believed that he could be saved by keeping him busy in worthwhile peaceful duties. He was put in charge of a supply train from Wichita and other Kansas points to the Indian agency, which is now located at Anadarko, and never broke his parole. Later he was a leader in asking for a missionary to his people and assisted in the establishment of the first mission now known as Rainy mountain Indian Mission. Big Tree became a member of the church in 1897 and for the past 30 years has been a deacon. He remained an active leader in his tribe until a few years ago when age and ill health prevented active participation in tribal business.

Big Tree was buried in the Rainy Mountain cemetery near his home. He is survived by two daughters, Mrs Alma Ahote and Mrs. Marietta Haag, who live in Rainy Mountain community, about three miles southwest of Mountain View in Kiowa county. Unlike most of the older Indians, Big Tree was married only once. His wife died about ten years ago.

The historical events in which Big Tree played a part make an interesting narrative as told by G.W. Conver of Anadarka, who has lived in the Indian country more than 60 years. As a soldier he was sent here in 1876 and was in charge of the commissary at Fort Sill during much of the Indian warfare.

" Early in the year of 1871", Conover says, " the Kiowas held their big medicine dance.

"It was their custom at the close of the dance for them to decide their course for the summer- whether for peace or war, which was almost always for plundering expeditions down into Texas or Mexico.

"This was a time when the grass was good and their ponies were with his expedition,

"At this time General Sherman was out west visiting all the military posts, and he came along soon after this tragedy, on his way to Fort Sill. It was the custom with the Indians when they made a raid of this kind to come into their camps by the time of the issuing of rations, which were every two weeks, and tell and boast of what they had done.

When Sherman reached Fort Sill he made inquiry into what Indians had been off the reservation, and who committed the depredation. Laurie Tatum the Quaker Indian agent, thought he could find out. He and General Sherman and Colonel Grierson, commandant of Fort Sill, decided that morning to visit the Indian school and left word with me if the Indians came in during their absence which they probably would do, to close the commissary and let them know at once.

"Very soon after, they did come in and camped, with women and children and dogs, about 30 yards from the commissary.

"They had already heard that the big war chief from Washington was here and they wanted to see him and how they could measure up with him. Very soon they had the opportunity, but Santanta got a very cool reception from General Sherman. Sherman was walking back and forth upon the porch of the commissary with his hands behind him in meditative attitude, when Satanta with Horace P. Jones, the post interpreter, approached, and Jones introduced Satanta, but the general paid scant attention, did not offer to shake hands, but merely remarked, " Yes I have heard of him," and continued his meditative walk. The Indians were anxious to hold a council, and when they got together in the commissary room an inquiry was made concerning the raid in Texas and the murder of the teamsters. Santanta rose and said, " Yes, I lead the raid. I have made many requests of you, but you do not listen to my talk and you refuse to grant me what I ask. The white people are preparing to build a railroad throughout the country which will not be allowed. Some years ago they took us by the hair of the head and placed us here near the Texas people, where we have to fight them. More recently I was arrested by the soldiers and kept in prison several days, but that is played out now. I want you to remember that no more Kiowas are to be arrested. On account of these wrongs, a short time ago I took about 100 of my warriors to Texas, whom I wished to teach how to fight. I also took Satana, Eagle Heart, Big Bow, Big Tree and Fast Bear. We found a mule train which we captured, and killed seven men and three of our men were killed, but we are willing to call it even. It is all over now, and it is not necessary to say much about it. We don't expect to do any raiding around here this summer, but we expect to raid on Texas. If any other Indians claim the honor of leading that raid they are lying I lead it myself," When he ended his speech, Eagle Heart, Big Tree and Satank, who were present sanctioned what he had said.

" Big Tree and Satank later were taken to Jacksboro, Texas and tried for murder, found guilty and sentenced to be hanged on the first day of September, 1871. Their sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment and after several years of confinement in the Texas penitentiary they were paroled upon good behavior. But later Satana violated his parole and was sent back to the penitentiary, where one day in despair he committed suicide by jumping from the second story of his prison to the pavement below.

" Big Tree was the last of all the old warriors. For years he had been a very peaceful citizen and manifested some excellent qualities in his later days. He was a leading member of the Baptist church at Elk Creek and held a creditable place in the esteem of his people."

An amusing incident occured in connection with the organization of the mission of which Big Tree was one of the first members. A barrel of clothing from the east was distributed among the Indians a week before the founding of the church. So Sunday morning Big Tree appeared for the organization of the mission all dressed up in a stove-pipe hat, a Prince Albert coat and Indian breeches made of sheeting.

According to the records at the Kiowa agency, Big Tree was 49 years old at the allotment in 1900 which would make his age at the time of his death 78 or 79 years. His Indian name was Ahdoete, which means "big tree" in the Kiowa dialect.

How merciless Big Tree and his band of warriors were upon their frequent raids, is shown by an incident occasionally related by Big Tree. While leading a plundering expedition into Texas a sparsely populated settlement was attacked and the men were slaughtered. A young mother with a small baby in her arms was pleading for the child's life. Big Tree rode up grabbed the infant by one leg, tore it from the mother's arms, and hurled it against a tree. But Big Tree did not tell of the atrocity in a boasting way, always using it as an example of the power of God to forgive, " God has forgiven me--and I did that hideous thing," he would conclude and his face would light up with a kindly smile of satisfaction the sincerity of which could hardly be doubted.

Satank's son, Frank Givens (Aukaunt), a Kiowa medicine man living near Carnegie is the only direct male descendant of the old Indian war chiefs of the Kiowa tribe. Givens is about 60 years old and is said to greatly resemble his warlike father.

---The Archer County News