Lighthorse (American Indian police) facts for kids
The Lighthorse (or Light Horse) was the name given by some Native American tribes to their mounted police. These tribes are often called the Five Civilized Tribes of the United States. The Lighthorse police were usually organized into groups and worked in different areas.
One of the most well-known groups was the Cherokee Lighthorsemen. They started in Georgia. Even though these mounted police forces were stopped when the tribes lost their lands in the late 1800s, some tribes still use the Lighthorse name for parts of their police today.
- Cherokee Light Horse
- Chickasaw Light Horse
- Choctaw Light Horse
- Creek Light Horse
- Seminole Light Horse
Contents
Cherokee Lighthorsemen: Keeping the Peace
In 1797, the Cherokee people created groups called "regulating companies." Their main job was to stop horse theft and other property crimes. These companies were a mounted police force for the tribe. They had the power to make sure tribal laws were followed.
By the 1820s, people started calling them "Lighthorsemen." Their job grew to include catching criminals. They would then turn these people over to tribal courts for trials and sentencing. The Lighthorsemen also started dealing with more serious crimes like murder and robbery. They even enforced tribal rules against public drunkenness. Some say the Cherokees named the force after General Henry "Lighthorse Harry" Lee. He was known for his cavalry moving very quickly.
On November 13, 1844, the Cherokee National Council officially approved a Lighthorse company. This group had a captain, a lieutenant, and twenty-four horsemen. Their duty was to arrest anyone who had broken the law in the Cherokee Nation. For several years, the Lighthorsemen also acted as judges and jury members. They would give out punishments themselves, often for smaller crimes. In 1874, the Cherokees built a prison in Tahlequah. This was the only Native American Nation to build its own prison at that time.
Choctaw Lighthorse: Law and Order
The Treaty of Doak's Stand in 1820 set aside money each year for the Choctaw Nation. This money was to help organize and keep up the Choctaw Lighthorsemen. These officers were given the power to arrest, try, and punish people who broke tribal laws. The first group of Choctaw Lighthorsemen began working in 1824. Peter Pitchlynn became the leader of this force in 1825.
After the Choctaw people moved to Indian Territory, the Lighthorsemen reported to the tribal chief. The Choctaw Constitution of 1838 explained some of their duties. For example, Lighthorsemen helped manage elections. They made sure voters formed lines for candidates. Judges appointed by the Lighthorse captain would count the votes. They would then announce the winner and report the results to the district clerks.
Lighthorsemen used their own horses and weapons for their duties.
Creek Lighthorse: Times of Conflict
When the American Civil War began, the Confederate States of America (CSA) made an agreement with the Creek Nation. As part of this agreement, the CSA promised to provide money each year to support the Creek Lighthorsemen.
Between 1882 and 1883, a group of Creeks led by Isparhecher disagreed with the main tribal leadership. They revolted against Principal Chief Samuel Checote. Chief Checote ordered the Creek Lighthorsemen to stop this rebellion. He soon put Pleasant Porter in charge of the Lighthorsemen. Porter and his men successfully forced the rebellious group to leave Creek territory. They went to live in Sac and Fox territory and later in Kiowa territory. However, they were not welcome in either place. Eventually, they returned to make peace with the rest of the tribe. Pleasant Porter later became the principal chief of the Creek Nation from 1899 to 1907.
Seminole Lighthorse: A Late Start
The Seminoles were the last of the Five Civilized Tribes to create their own police force. They did not have enough money to start one. Also, during the American Civil War, the Seminole Government was not working well. It wasn't until 1876 that Governor hired A. Q. Brown. He was a young cattle drover from Texas. Brown became the first Seminole Lighthorseman.
