Cutthroat Gap massacre facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cutthroat Gap massacre |
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| Location | Cooperton, Kiowa County, Oklahoma |
| Coordinates | 34°50′11″N 98°49′55″W / 34.83639°N 98.83194°W |
| Date | 1833 (UTC-6) |
| Attack type | Mass murder |
| Deaths | 150 killed and 2 captives |
| Perpetrator(s) | Osage warriors |
The Cutthroat Gap massacre was a terrible event that happened in 1833 in Oklahoma. This year was known as "The Year the Stars Fell" because many meteors were seen. A group of Osage warriors attacked a Kiowa camp. They killed many women, children, and elderly people.
Most of the Kiowa warriors, led by Chief A'date (also called "Islandman"), were away. They had left to raid another group called the Utes or to hunt bison. This meant the camp was mostly unprotected. When the Osage attacked, the Kiowas had to run away. About 150 Kiowa people were killed. The Osage also took their special Tai-me (pronounced: THY-may) medicine bundle. Two children were also taken captive.
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What Led to the Attack?
A few days before the Osage attack, different Kiowa groups met. They gathered near Rainy Mountain Creek. They wanted to talk about their yearly Sun Dance ceremony. This was a very important religious event for Plains tribes. During this meeting, an Osage arrow was found on the ground.
Because of this, the Kiowa groups scattered. They ran from their biggest enemy, the Osage. But the Sun Dance was too important to miss. So, it was understood that all the groups would come back together for the ceremony.
One group, led by Chief Islandman, left the creek. They traveled southwest to find better land for their animals. They stopped west of the mountain, thinking they were safe. They set up their camp there. Most of the men then left to raid a Ute camp and hunt buffalo.
However, the Kiowas didn't know they were being followed. A group of Osage warriors from Three Forks had been hunting bison. They were in Kiowa territory. The Osage wanted the Kiowa's horses. They had been secretly watching Islandman's group since they left the meeting.
On the day of the attack, a young boy was outside the camp. He was grazing his family's horse. He saw an Osage warrior hiding behind some rocks. The boy quickly ran back to warn everyone. But the Osage attacked right away.
The Attack Itself
The Kiowas were caught by surprise. They were outnumbered and disorganized. They had no choice but to run away. Panic spread through the camp. Women struggled to find their babies. People ran in all directions, hoping to reach safety.
The Osage warriors stormed into the camp. They killed women, children, and the elderly without mercy. They murdered the victims in the camp. They also burned down the teepees. One old man managed to escape. He alerted the nearest Kiowa camp. This allowed them to send help to Islandman's struggling group.
Brave Actions During the Attack
Many brave acts happened during the attack. A Pawnee warrior was visiting the camp. He tried to fight off the Osage warriors. This helped some women and children escape.
It is also said that a father carried his son with his teeth. He charged through the chaos. He would put his son down to shoot arrows at the Osage. Then he would pick him up again to run. A young boy bravely stood between the Osage warriors and the women and children. He shot arrows at the enemy again and again. Also, a mother fought off an Osage warrior by herself. She was carrying a baby in a cradle board on her back. She was also holding her young daughter's hand.
What Happened After the Attack?
When the Kiowa warriors returned to their camp, they found a terrible scene. Only the bodies of the women, children, and elderly remained. The Osage had killed them. The Osage had also taken the sacred Tai-me medicine bundle. This bundle was needed for the Sun Dance ceremony. They also took two children captive. These were a boy named Thunder and a girl named White Weasel.
Because the Tai-me bundle was gone, the Kiowa could not perform the Sun Dance ceremony. They had to wait two years after the attack. They finally got the Tai-me back after talking with the Osage.
After the attack, Chief Islandman was greatly dishonored. He was blamed for letting his group be surprised and attacked. So, he was removed as chief. Chief To-hau-san took his place. To-hau-san led the tribe for many decades. He was the one who managed relations with the Osage. He also helped get the Tai-me back. He refused to give in to the United States government. The Kiowa tribe was one of the last Plains tribes to surrender.
Cutthroat Gap used to be a popular camping spot for the Kiowa. But after the attack, they never used it again. Some people even believe that the spirits of the victims still wander the area. They say you can still hear them.
Osage and Kiowa Peace
After returning to their camp, the Osage decided they needed to make peace with the Kiowa. They decided to return White Weasel to the Kiowa as a peace offering. Her brother, Thunder, had died while being held captive.
White Weasel was returned to the Kiowa tribe in 1834. This happened during the first Dragoon Expedition. Her return greatly improved relations between the Osage and Kiowa. Also, the Osage allowed the Kiowa to take the Tai-me medicine bundle back. All they asked for was one pony in return. This helped to lessen the bad feelings between the two tribes.
Other links
- "Expedition Oklahoma." Cutthroat Gap Massacre. Web. 24 May 2012.
