Transcribed from volume II of Kansas: a cyclopedia of state history, embracing events, institutions, industries, counties, cities, towns, prominent persons, etc. ... / with a supplementary volume devoted to selected personal history and reminiscence. Standard Pub. Co. Chicago : 1912. 3 v. in 4. : front., ill., ports.; 28 cm. Vols. I-II edited by Frank W. Blackmar.

Old Crow, a Crow Indian, was one of the members of the Dull Knife band of Cheyennes, which left the reservation in Indian Territory and made the memorable raid across Kansas in Sept. and Oct., 1878, killing 32 citizens and destroying much property. They were pursued, several were captured and confined at Fort Robinson, Neb., for some time, when their squaws succeeded in smuggling in to them a number of guns, which were used on the morning of Jan. 21, 1879, in making a dash for liberty. Capt. Wessells, at the head of a squad of troops, immediately gave chase and the next day fought a desperate battle in which the Indians were almost entirely exterminated—but 7 men and 16 women and children surviving. Old Crow and 6 of his brother warriors were taken to Fort Leavenworth and later to Dodge City, their trial being set for June 24, 1879, in the district court of Ford county, the charge against them being murder. A change of venue was asked for by the defense which was granted, the case being sent to the district court of Douglas county for trial at the succeeding October term, at which time all the Indians were liberated. Army officers acquainted with Old Crow said that he had been employed by the government as a scout and had proven faithful, valuable and trusty and bore a good reputation. They said he belonged to the Crow tribe instead of the Cheyennes and could have had no hand in the depredations of the latter in Kansas the previous year. He claimed to be a Sioux and is said to have been an Indian of more than ordinary intelligence.

Page 387 from volume II of Kansas: a cyclopedia of state history, embracing events, institutions, industries, counties, cities, towns, prominent persons, etc. ... / with a supplementary volume devoted to selected personal history and reminiscence. Standard Pub. Co. Chicago : 1912. 3 v. in 4. : front., ill., ports.; 28 cm. Vols. I-II edited by Frank W. Blackmar. Transcribed July 2002 by Carolyn Ward.