Tehan (Kiowa) facts for kids

Tehan was a young American settler who lived a unique life in the 1800s. He was captured by the Kiowa tribe when he was a boy and later adopted by their respected chief, Maman-ti. His story shows how different cultures could sometimes mix during that time.

Tehan's Life Story

Tehan was a white boy who became part of the Kiowa tribe. The Kiowa people called him "Tehan," which sounded like "Texan" because he was born in Texas.

A Young Warrior

Under the guidance of Chief Maman-ti, Tehan grew up to be a strong and skilled warrior. When he was about 18 years old, he even fought in a big conflict called the Red River War. This war involved the United States Army and several Native American tribes.

Capture and Escape

During the war, Tehan was captured by US soldiers. Even though he thanked them for his "deliverance" (meaning he was freed from the fighting), he was still held captive. On September 14, 1874, Tehan managed to escape from the US forces during a battle known as the Battle of Lyman's Wagon Train. He then returned to the Kiowa camp.

His Final Journey

After his escape, Tehan joined a raid into Texas with another chief named Big Bow. Sadly, Tehan died during this trip. There are different stories about how he passed away.

Different Accounts of Tehan's Death

• Chief Big Bow believed that Tehan might have shared information with the authorities. Some thought he might have been killed because of this.
• Big Bow also said that Tehan died from thirst in the desert.
• However, the Comanche tribe had a different story. They said Tehan went to Fort Sill to take care of his mother after his father died.

Tehan in Movies

Tehan's interesting life story is featured in the Canadian film Dreamkeeper. In the movie, the actor Scott Grimes plays the role of Tehan.