In 1797, the Cherokees created organizations called "regulating companies" to deal with horse theft and other property crimes. The regulating...
The Cherokee Light Horse
read more
cherokee
The West’s Worst Shootout
The tragedy at Goingsnake left 11 men dead—and a lot of questions. Ezekiel Proctor was a Cherokee and proud of it. “Zeke” had walked...
Switching Sides
Zeke Proctor—outlaw turned lawman. Zeke Proctor was a hard man, living in the Cherokee Nation in the 1870s. He was responsible for several killings....
The Indian Civil War
For the Cherokee, the conflict pitted brother against brother. The Civil War not only split the United States, but it also tore apart various Indian...
Taking a Stand
Cherokee leader Watie signed an unpopular treaty. Stand Watie was a controversial Cherokee leader. He and several members of his family signed a...
Not-So Shining Store
Tom Starr led a criminal clan in Oklahoma. Tom Starr’s Cherokee father signed the treaty that forced the tribe to move to the Indian Territory. For...
An Unlucky 13 Years It took a long time to catch up with two Indian Territory killers.
James Arcine and William Parchmeal—both Cherokee—happened upon traveler Henry Feigel near Fort Gibson, Indian Territory on November 25, 1872. The...
Bass Reeves: The Invincible Lawman
Born into slavery, the Arkansas native became a lauded, and legendary U.S. deputy marshal. Bass Reeves began his life as a slave in the state of...
Justice Comes, Better Late Than Never It took 13 years to catch up with two killers.
Cherokee Indians James Arcine and William Parchmeal were near Ft. Gibson, Indian Territory in November 1872. They came upon a Swedish traveler and...