Big Tree (Kiowa leader) facts for kids
Big Tree (whose Kiowa name was Ado-ete) was an important Kiowa warrior and leader who lived from about 1850 to 1929. He was a strong supporter of the Kiowa leaders who wanted to fight, like Satank, Satanta, and Guipago. Big Tree often led raids against other tribes and against the white settlers who were moving into their lands. He was often seen with another famous Kiowa leader, White Horse.
Big Tree was born in the land where the Kiowa people lived, which is now part of Oklahoma. In 1867, after the Medicine Lodge Treaty Council, the Kiowa people, including Big Tree, were asked to move to a special area called a reservation near Fort Sill in Oklahoma. Even after moving to the reservation, Big Tree continued to lead raids against settlers near the reservation and across the Red River in northern Texas. He became very well-known after an event called the Warren Wagon Train Raid in 1871. Soon after, Big Tree was arrested along with Satanta and Satank. They were taken to Jacksboro, Texas, and put on trial for their actions. This was a very important moment because they were some of the first Native American leaders to be tried in a regular court.
Contents
The Warren Wagon Train Attack and Trial
On May 18, 1871, a group of wagons carrying supplies for the army was traveling near Salt Creek Crossing. A large group of Kiowa warriors, including Big Tree, were hiding nearby. They had seen General William Tecumseh Sherman and his group pass by earlier, but they didn't attack them. A Kiowa spiritual leader named Mamanti had told them that a bigger group with more supplies would come later. So, the warriors waited.
Just a few hours later, ten wagons pulled by mules, filled with army supplies, came into their ambush. The Kiowa warriors attacked, destroying the supplies and killing some of the wagon drivers. The Kiowa lost three of their own warriors but took forty mules loaded with supplies. Five white men managed to escape, and one of them walked to Fort Richardson to tell what happened.
The Arrest and Journey to Trial
When the army found out about the attack, they identified Big Tree, Satanta, and Satank as some of the leaders. Even though another important Kiowa leader, Guipago, tried to protect them, Big Tree, Satanta, and Satank were arrested and put in jail at Fort Sill. As they were being taken to Fort Richardson for their trial, Satank tried to escape and was killed.
The Trial and Release
Satanta and Big Tree were found guilty and sentenced to death. However, the Governor of Texas, Edmund Davis, changed their punishment to life in prison. This decision was made because many people, especially those who supported a "Quaker Peace Policy," put a lot of pressure on him. Satanta and Big Tree were found guilty on July 5–6 in Jack County, Texas.
After two years in prison at the Huntsville State Penitentiary in Texas, Satanta and Big Tree were set free. This happened because Guipago, the Kiowa leader, strongly demanded their release. He even threatened a new war if they were not freed.
Later Life of Big Tree
Big Tree did not join some of the later battles, like the one at Adobe Walls or the Red River War. Because of this, when General Philip Sheridan forced Chief Kicking Bird to choose people from his tribe to be sent to prison in the east, Big Tree was not among them.
In 1878, Big Tree and other Kiowa people returned to the reservation near Fort Sill. He continued to be a respected leader among his people until he passed away on November 27, 1929.
