THE LIGHT-HORSE IN THE INDIAN TERRITORY
The term "light-horse" is a familiar one in
connection with Light-Horse Harry, a
nickname conferred upon General Henry Lee, because of the great rapidity of his
cavalry movements during the Revolutionary War. This expression was a common
one in the Indian Territory where the Five Civilized Tribes were equipped with
a body of men known as the "light-horse,” who served as a mounted police
force. The name appears frequently in the law books of the different nations as
acts were passed directing the organization of such bodies of men to carry out
the laws, the length of terms they were to serve, the funds appropriated to pay
for their services, the number of men in each body and the captains who
commanded them. The light-horsemen were given considerable latitude in enforcing
the judgments of the court as much reliance was placed upon their discretion.
On February 23, 1839, Hon. A. H. Sevier of Arkansas
delivered a speech in the United States Senate in which he quoted the Reverend
Isaac McCoy who in writing of the Choctaws had asserted that two judges belong
to each of the four districts in their nation west in the Indian Territory, and
that "Two officers, denominated light-horsemen, in each district, perform
the duties of sheriffs. -1 company of six or seven, denominated light-horsemen,
the leader of whom is styled Captain, constitute a national corps of
regulators, to prevent infractions of the law, and to bring to justice
offenders."'
"In 1808 the chiefs and warriors of the Cherokees
passed an act appointing regulators, who were authorized to suppress horse stealing
and robbery, to protect the widows and orphans,' and kill an- accused person
resisting their authority. These
regulators were evidently the forerunners of the light-horsemen.
Major George Lowery who was born at Tohskeege in the old Cherokee
Nation about 1770, was a captain of one of the first companies of light-horse
appointed to enforce the laws in 1808 and 1810. He was one of the most useful
and distinguished members of the "Old Settler" faction; he held
several tribal offices and served as assistant principal chief for many years.
He died October 20, 1852 and was buried in the Tahlequah cemetery.
In November, 1845 the Cherokee Advocate was aroused over articles
appearing in western Arkansas newspapers regarding the killing of James Starr
and Suel Rider. One whole page in the edition of September 27 was devoted to
the subject. In a long letter signed "Citizen" the case was set forth
in the following words:
. . . . If the killing of Starr and Rider is a party affair,
and we see how anxious their friends wish it to be so understood, they
certainly will admit that all the murders and outrages committed by the Starrs
and their connections was also a party affair. It is a bad rule that does not
work both ways.
Now are those who have fled across the line are any of them
prepared to say that the murder of Charles Thornton was a party move? Was the recent
and inhuman butchery of Crawford and A-to-la-hee, and the attempt on Mr. Meigs'
life and the burning of his residence a party affair? It is well known that the
perpetrators of these and numerous other crimes belong to the "Treaty
party," but the authorities of the Nation and the people have never held
the party responsible, nor do they now. It is a miserable expedient of reckless
men to subserve sinister purposes at the expense of the Peace and character of
their own race . . . . When did the Treaty party or those who now claim so much
for them of right, purity, and protection, ever attempt to aid in the arrest of
the notorious bandit who had long escaped.
General Matthew
Arbuckle from his Headquarters, 2d Military Department at Fort Smith wrote to
Acting Chief George Lowery on November 15, 1845 that he had "received
intelligence of the recent commotion in the Flint District of your
nation." He had sent Major B. L. E. Bonneville, "an officer of rank
and experience to the scene of the disturbance and he learned from his report .
. . . that the murder of Starr and Rider, and the wounding of two of Starr's
sons, and the consequence of disturbance in the Cherokee nation, have resulted,
directly or indirectly, from Resolutions of the National Council, or orders
issued in pursuance thereof.
It appears from the evidence in my possession (acknowledged
to be correct by the Captain and Lieutenant of the Light Horse Company which committed
the murders,) that no resistance was made on the part of any of the victims; in
fact, nothing was done in the remotest degree to justify these outrageous
proceedings. That a lad of 12 or 13 years of age, was pursued and dangerously,
if not mortally wounded, proves that the Police must have had some other object
in view besides the vindication of the laws. Agreeably to the law, Resisting or
aiding, or abetting &c., only authorized the Light Horse to take violent
measures. No resistance was offered, yet the Light Horse went to the extreme of
committing murder, in violation of the very law of the nation, under which they
claimed to be acting . . . . .
The result of these proceedings has been to drive from their
homes more than 100 men. From the reckless proceedings of the Light Horse, or Police,
they fear, I think very justly, to return, having no guarantee, however
Innocent they may he, that they may not fall victims, like their friends, to
the illegal and savage acts of an armed and irresponsible body . . . . .
After a scathing diatribe against the affairs in the nation,
Arbuckle continued:
The Light Horse must be disbanded at once, and the persons
concerned in the murder of James Starr and Rider, arrested. Nothing short of this
would he becoming a country of law; the guilty individuals must be tried for
murder; otherwise the Cherokees must cease to think they lived under a
government of law.
The peace of the Cherokee nation must be secured; . . . . I
have already sent a company of Dragoons to the disturbed District, for the
purpose of preserving order . . . . . I desire you will submit this communication
to the National Council, and inform me, as soon as may he, of the measures
taken to secure peace to the nation.
Acting Chief Lowrey, on November 26, 1845 addressed a letter
to Colonel *James McKissick, Cherokee Agent, in which he wrote: . . . . The
information communicated to Gen. Arbuckle, must have been entirely exparte and
incorrect, to have authorized the harsh terms in which his letter abounds.
There is no wish on our part to enter into a correspondence or controversy with
the Gen. on the subject, and we are content to pursue the hitherto usual and long
established medium of communication through the U. S. Agent.
The object, therefore, of this, is to furnish you with sound
information as may be deemed necessary in vindication of the punishment? . .
. .
This information was extracted from the Chronicles of Oklahoma in the Library of OK State.
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