Fred Waite facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Fred Waite
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| Born | September 23, 1853 Fort Arbuckle, Indian Territory, United States
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| Died | September 24, 1895 (aged 42) Chickasaw Nation, Oklahoma, United States
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| Occupation | Cowboy |
| Organization | Lincoln County Regulators |
Frederick Tecumseh "Dash" Waite (born September 23, 1853 – September 24, 1895) was a Chickasaw man known for his exciting life. He started as a cowboy in New Mexico Territory and was even part of Billy the Kid's group. Later, he completely changed his life. Fred Waite became an important leader in the Chickasaw Nation government. He served as a lawmaker and even as their top legal officer, the Attorney General.
When he was young, Waite left his home in Indian Territory to work as a cowboy. He worked for a rancher named John Tunstall. There, he met Bill Bonney and other cowboys. After Tunstall was killed, Waite and his friends became a group called the Regulators. They wanted to find those responsible for Tunstall's death. Over time, this group became known as the "Billy the Kid gang" as they got into more trouble.
Around 1880, when he was about 27, Waite decided to leave the gang. He went back to the Chickasaw Nation to start a peaceful life. He got married, became a rancher, and raised a family. From then on, he lived a law-abiding life. He became very involved in the politics of the Choctaw and Chickasaw people. He was elected to the Chickasaw legislature as both a representative and a senator. He even served three times as the Speaker of the House. Later, he was chosen to be the Attorney General for the Chickasaw Nation. He passed away at age 42 from a health condition called rheumatism.
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Early Life of Fred Waite
Fred Waite's middle name, Tecumseh, honored a famous Native American leader. He was born in the Chickasaw Nation at Fort Arbuckle. This area is now part of Garvin County, Oklahoma. His parents were Catherine (McClure) Waite and Thomas Fletcher Waite. His father was a farmer who also ran a trading store. This store was a stop for stagecoaches southeast of Pauls Valley.
Fred's mother was of mixed race, and so were he and his brothers and sisters. His grandparents on his mother's side were Ela "Ellen" Teecha, who was Chickasaw, and Rev. A.J. McClure. Rev. McClure was an English missionary who came to the Chickasaw Nation. He met and married Ela Teecha after he arrived.
During the American Civil War, Fred's family supported the Union side. When the war reached their home, they had to flee. They went to the Sac and Fox reservation in Kansas, which also supported the Union. After the war ended, they returned to Indian Territory.
Fred went to school at the Illinois Industrial University in Champaign, Illinois. This was to learn about European-American ways. He then moved to St. Louis, Missouri, and graduated from Mound City Commercial College in 1874. After his father died, Fred returned to Fort Arbuckle. He took over managing the family store. He also managed about 30 ranch hands who cared for a thousand cattle.
Cowboy Days in New Mexico
As Fred grew older, he decided to become a cowboy. He left home in 1875, planning to go to Colorado. But he ended up in Lincoln County, New Mexico. In 1877, he got a job as a ranch hand for John Chisum. Later, Waite worked for John Tunstall. Tunstall was a rancher who became a key figure in the Lincoln County War. Waite worked on Tunstall's farm.
On February 18, 1878, John Tunstall was killed. After this, Fred Waite joined a group called the Regulators. This group was formed like a local police force, led by Dick Brewer. Their goal was to arrest those who killed Tunstall. Through this group, Waite met Billy Bonney, Jose Chavez y Chavez, Henry Brown, Jim French, and Charlie Bowdre. These men later formed what became known as Billy the Kid's gang, led by Bonney.
The gang often clashed with law enforcement. They were also involved in violent events where people were killed. Waite was present during these conflicts.
A New Path: Return to the Chickasaw Nation
Fred Waite was with the Regulators long enough to have arrest warrants issued for him. Eventually, the gang broke up. Waite decided to head back to Indian Territory. He settled in the Washita Valley. On December 1, 1881, he married Mary E. Thompson. They moved to the Chickasaw Nation and started their family.
Serving His People
Determined to change his life, Waite tried several new jobs. First, he became a rancher. Then, he worked as a lawman for the U.S. Indian Police. This police force handled certain crimes under federal law.
Waite soon became involved in tribal politics. He was a delegate to a meeting between different tribes. He was then elected as a representative from his home district. After that, he became a senator in the Chickasaw government. The Chickasaw legislature had two houses. While serving as a representative, he was chosen by other members to be the Speaker of the House for three sessions. Later, the chief appointed him as the Attorney General of the Chickasaw Nation. He was serving in this important position when he passed away from rheumatism on September 24, 1895.
