Last year in July I wrote about a letter I had received from Steve Scott of New York City where he wrote about growing up in Farmington. He mentioned a pioneer graveyard along Little John Creek. I found that graveyard. I was very saddened to see that most of the markers have been destroyed and thrown about. Of course I did not recognize any of the names. But, just looking at some of them, I know the family members cared for the lost loved ones as they had taken such care in having them made.
This brought to mind that Ed had bought a book for his mother that she had expressed some interest in. Since then Ed has received the book back since her passing. I pulled it out and started going through some of the pages. It is records of all the Roger Mills County, Oklahoma cemeteries. Roger Mills was Indian Territory before Oklahoma became a state. In the book are 34 cemeteries with every person's name listed under each cemetery title. One of the cemeteries that caught my eye was the Bethel Mennonite-Cheyenne Indian Cemetery. The deceased names are interesting, such as Afraid of Beavers, Crooked Nose Black Hawk, and several with a last name of Roman Nose. Several Chiefs names are listed also.
The most famous Cheyenne Chief was Black Kettle. He was considered a peace maker for his tribe. Throughout the years he and his tribe traveled south, finally making a village on the Washita River, North and West of what is now the town of Cheyenne, Oklahoma. In 1868 George Armstrong Custer led an attack, in deep snow, upon the Cheyenne Village. Black Kettle and his wife, along with numerous women and children were killed. There is just one massive grave for the ones that were killed. There are no individual markers. We made a visit to the site called "The Battle of the Washita." It is a very quiet, peaceful and serene site. But, looking out over the Washita, in my mind I could visualize the village and see the women and children running as the soldiers came riding in with their guns and swords. "Custer's Battle of the Washita" against the peace making Chief Black Kettle remains to be a black mark in U.S. history.
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Happy Birthday to Kristine Lee Kalebaugh on Monday, January 14th.
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A very Happy Anniversary to Kirby and Conni Bailey on Tuesday, January 15th.
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Please contact me either by E-mail farmingtonnews@gmail.com or phone 896-6697.
This brought to mind that Ed had bought a book for his mother that she had expressed some interest in. Since then Ed has received the book back since her passing. I pulled it out and started going through some of the pages. It is records of all the Roger Mills County, Oklahoma cemeteries. Roger Mills was Indian Territory before Oklahoma became a state. In the book are 34 cemeteries with every person's name listed under each cemetery title. One of the cemeteries that caught my eye was the Bethel Mennonite-Cheyenne Indian Cemetery. The deceased names are interesting, such as Afraid of Beavers, Crooked Nose Black Hawk, and several with a last name of Roman Nose. Several Chiefs names are listed also.
The most famous Cheyenne Chief was Black Kettle. He was considered a peace maker for his tribe. Throughout the years he and his tribe traveled south, finally making a village on the Washita River, North and West of what is now the town of Cheyenne, Oklahoma. In 1868 George Armstrong Custer led an attack, in deep snow, upon the Cheyenne Village. Black Kettle and his wife, along with numerous women and children were killed. There is just one massive grave for the ones that were killed. There are no individual markers. We made a visit to the site called "The Battle of the Washita." It is a very quiet, peaceful and serene site. But, looking out over the Washita, in my mind I could visualize the village and see the women and children running as the soldiers came riding in with their guns and swords. "Custer's Battle of the Washita" against the peace making Chief Black Kettle remains to be a black mark in U.S. history.
*****
Happy Birthday to Kristine Lee Kalebaugh on Monday, January 14th.
*****
A very Happy Anniversary to Kirby and Conni Bailey on Tuesday, January 15th.
*****
Please contact me either by E-mail farmingtonnews@gmail.com or phone 896-6697.
