Investigations

Chief Black Kettle

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The Case:

George Bryson has lived with a bigger than life family legend for decades.  Family lore says George’s great, great-uncle fought along side General Custer in a clash with the Southern Cheyenne in the 1868 Battle of Washita - also known as the Washita Massacre. An important Cheyenne leader, Chief Black Kettle, lost his life in a dawn attack. 

George’s great, great-uncle returned from the war with an Indian neckpiece and leggings he said belonged to Chief Black Kettle.

Does the family indeed have jewelry and clothing that once adorned a Cheyenne Peace Chief? He asks History Detectives host Wes Cowan to find out.

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Aired:
Season 10, Episode 4

Detective:
Wes Cowan Location:
Cheyenne and Concho, Oklahoma

More Information

Washita Battlefield National Historical Site
18555 Hwy 47A
Cheyenne, OK 73628
www.nps.gov/waba/

Oklahoma Historical Society
Oklahoma History Center
800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive
Oklahoa City, OK 73105-7917
(405) 522-5248
www.okhistory.org/

Black Kettle Engravings

Engravings on the back of a Native American gorget.

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