Hay Meadow massacre facts for kids
The site of the massacre
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| Date | July 25, 1888 |
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| Location | Wild Horse Lake, Oklahoma, USA |
| Deaths | 4 |
The Hay Meadow massacre was a very serious event that happened on July 25, 1888. It was the most violent part of something called the Stevens County War in Kansas. This "war" wasn't a real war with armies, but a big fight between towns over which one would be the main county seat.
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What Was the Stevens County War?
The Stevens County War was a conflict in Kansas during the late 1800s. Two towns, Hugoton and Woodsdale, were competing to become the county seat. The county seat is like the main town where the government offices are located. This was a big deal because it meant more power and money for the chosen town.
The Start of the Conflict
In July 1888, Sam Robinson, who was the town marshal (like a police chief) of Hugoton, went on a trip. He was with a group of men who supported Hugoton. They were heading to an area called No Man's Land, which was just south of the county.
Ed Short, the marshal of Woodsdale, found out about Robinson's trip. Short quickly gathered some men who supported Woodsdale. They wanted to stop Robinson.
The Chase and the Camp
Short and his men caught up with Robinson, but Robinson managed to get away. Short felt they needed more help. He sent for more Woodsdale supporters.
Sheriff John M. Cross, who also supported Woodsdale, joined the search. He and four other men went looking for Robinson's group. They didn't find them. So, they decided to camp for the night. Their camp was in a hay meadow near Wild Horse Lake. This spot was just across the border in what is now Oklahoma.
The Hay Meadow Incident
Meanwhile, Robinson's friends had gathered a group of Hugoton supporters. They wanted to help Robinson. They found him and returned to the area.
They soon found the Woodsdale camp at the hay meadow. The Hugoton group surrounded Sheriff Cross's party. They shot and killed four of the Woodsdale men. The fifth person was injured.
What Really Happened?
The Hugoton group thought they had killed everyone in the Woodsdale party. They went back and said that the Woodsdale group had been killed in a shootout.
However, the person who survived and some haymakers (people who cut hay) saw what happened. They said that the Woodsdale party had been captured first. Then, they were disarmed (had their weapons taken away) before they were shot.
Aftermath and Legal Trouble
After the event, the state militia (a type of local army) was called in. The Hugoton men were arrested. But there was a big problem. The area where the incident happened was No Man's Land. This meant no local court had the power to handle the case.
The Court Case
Eventually, the case was heard in a United States court. This court was in Paris, Texas. A famous lawyer named Samuel Newitt Wood was the main prosecutor.
Seven men were found guilty of serious charges related to the deaths. However, when they appealed their case, the Supreme Court made a decision. The Supreme Court said that the Paris court did not have the power to judge the case. Because of this, no one faced the severe penalties they were given.
