Wichita Indians were the first tribe recorded to be living in Cowley County. They were a "confederacy" of several bands, each of which probably spoke a slightly different dialect of the common Caddoan language.

They were a gardening and hunting people who lived in grass lodge villages throughout the spring and summer while the women cultivated large, productive gardens of corn, beans, squash, and tobacco. After the harvest was safely stored in the fall, they all but abandoned their scattered villages and became a roving, hunting peopleCliving in tipis while the men pursued the great herds of bison. In the spring they returned to their villages to plant gardens. Like many other Plains Indians, they did not regard fish as edible. They were provident people who smoked (or sun dried) surplus meat and dried excess garden produce to store in hide bags and in underground cache pits.

The Wichita Indians had their first contact with Europeans in 1541 when Coronado marched out of Mexico in search of Cibola. He penetrated as far north as Quivira, which is now defined as being in the great bend area of the Arkansas River. (South Central Kansas.)

In 1601 Don Juan de Oñate led an expedition into the same region. He was the first to map the trails that cross on the bluffs above Arkansas City.

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Doctor W. R. Wedel, assistant curator of archaeology for the United States National Museum, a part of the Smithsonian Institute, arrived in Arkansas City on Monday, August 5, 1940, to search an Indian village site nearby. He had spent 22 summers in Kansas in an effort to discern the peoples and land before settlement of the white man. Working with a staff of five, the Wedel party searched an Indian village site located on a ridgeCat that time partly on the T. N. Haggard property and partly on the Muret estate farmed by A. R. Larcom. They pitched camp on the John B. Goff farm near Goff hill.

Dr. Wedel believed this site may have been a village of the Wichita tribe, encamped on the Arkansas River, as there was evidence that the river, 300 to 350 years ago, curved and probably went close to the site of the village. No home sites were found, probably because the Wichitas lived in grass huts whose foundations were not substantial enough to have survived the elements. The tribe was evidently in contact with other tribes as pieces of turquoise, pottery striped with red, yellow and black, and glass were found, all evidences of trade with tribes of New Mexico and the Yellowstone. No iron or glass beads were uncovered, indicating that the village might have been inhabited before the white traders entered this part of the country. Also no indications were found of horses, which meant that the Indians probably went everywhere on foot. During that era, the Wichita Indians lived mainly by farming and gardening with probably an acre or so allotted to each family for corn. Meat was supplied by buffalo and wild game.

Dr. Wedel ended his search August 28, 1940, resuming regular duties at the museum.

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At the start of the eighteenth century, The Wichita were a southern confederacy of Caddoan tribes living along the Arkansas River in Oklahoma and south along the Red River and the Brazos River in Texas. Their tribal confederacy included Taovayas (or Tawehash), Touacara (or Tawakoni), Waco, and Kichai.

In 1850 the Wichita had mostly moved from their locations near Red River and were living in the Wichita Mountain region, with their principal villages a short distance north of the site that became Fort Sill. In 1859 Wichita Agency was established by the Indian Office on Leeper Creek, north of the Washita; Fort Cobb was established nearby.

With the outbreak of the Civil War, Confederate Commissioner Albert Pike secured a treaty with the chiefs and leaders of eleven Indian tribes at the Wichita Agency on August 12, 1861. Principal Chief Isadowa and two sub-chiefs were among these signers in behalf of the people referred to in the treaty as Athe Ta-wa-i-hash people of Indians, now called by the white men Wichitaw.@ [See Kiowa/Comanche file for fall of first Wichita Agency.]

The Wichita Indians and a large portion of the Caddo and their allies, who remained loyal to the Union, went north to Kansas early in the war, remaining there as refugees until 1867. Some were enlisted in the organized Indian troops in the Union Army. The site of their village in Kansas during the war is now that of the city of Wichita.

Wichita Agency was re-established by the United States Indian Office at a new location about two miles north of present Anadarko in Caddo County. The Wichita Indians were encouraged by government agents to consolidate with the related Caddoan tribes . At a later period they were recorded as the AWichita and Affiliated Tribes,@ namely the Tawehash (Wichita), Tawakoni, Waco, and Kichai, together with the Caddo, Anadarko, and Hainai; and included also the Penateka Comanche and some Delaware and Shawnee.

The Wichita Indian tribe was estimated at 15,000 to 33,000 persons in 1531. The tribe had been reduced in number over the centuries by warfare and disease. In 1891 the Wichita Indians numbered 426 individuals. They reside today in the vicinity of Anadarko, Oklahoma.

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Emporia News, May 26, 1871.

An extended council has been held in Washington between the Indian delegation now there and Secretary of Interior and Commissioner Parker, on behalf of the government. Commissioner Parker called the attention of the Indians to the fact that they were promised annuities for only ten years, four of which have passed, and in the time yet remaining they should try and take care of themselves, as they could live by hunting but a few years longer. When the Indians go home, said the commissioner, it will please the President if they stop on their way in the Indian Territory and attend the general council of Indians to be held there in the Creek country, the object of which is simply and solely for the good of themselves, and to establish peace and harmony and one general government among all the tribes of that country. At the conclusion of the Commissioner=s remarks, Little Raven said his people were anxious to get together by themselves, and he was anxious to have a dividing line between white and Indian blood. The whites are approaching them constantly, and the Indians do not know what country they own. He said peace existed, but our soldiers were stationed among them, and asked that they be withdrawn. The Wichita chief thought nearly all lands given other Indians was the property of the Wichitas. This was his principal complaint, and what he particularly desired was pay for it. AHere I am,@ said Buffalo Good, Awith white man=s coat and pantaloons on, but there are no greenbacks in my pockets, and now I hope the government will give me some to carry around so as to show something for the lands that have been taken.@

Secretary Delano made a short speech, advising the Indians to learn habits of civilization as soon as possible, and form a government of their own, and they would be furnished with clothes and agricultural implements, and schools and churches established among them. Little Raven was anxious to know if he would be authorized in getting his people in the north to the south. This was one thing about which he was very anxious. The commissioner said he would let him know tomorrow. The Indians have been greatly impressed with what they have seen in the country of civilization. Some of them are disposed to repel the idea that the capital buildings and paintings in the rotunda are the work of man.

Walnut Valley Times, February 20, 1874.

On Tuesday last, Senator Ingalls introduced a bill of great importance to this State. It directs the Secretary of the Interior to appoint commissioners to locate and open a road for military, postal, and commercial purposes, across the Indian Territory, from the mouth of the main Cashe River, in Texas, via Fort Cobb, Fort Sill, and the Wichita Agency, to the mouth of the Walnut River, in Kansas, the said road including a belt of country one and a half miles in breadth; to be kept open to driving and transit of merchandise free from any charge forever. The bill was referred to the appropriate committee.

Winfield Courier, February 20, 1874.

Mr. Ingalls introduced a bill directing the Secretary of the Interior to appoint commissioners to locate and open a road for military, postal, and commercial purposes across the Indian Territory from the mouth of the main Caske River, in Texas, via Fort Cobb, Fort Sill, and the Wichita Agency to the mouth of Walnut River in Kansas, the said road including the belt of country one and a half miles in breadth, to be kept open to driving stock and the transit of merchandise free from any charge forever.

This has long been a pet project with our people and Mr. Ingalls deserves our thanks for his attention to this matter. The bill however should be amended so as to make the right of way five miles instead of one and a half. By all means let us have this route, it is just what our people want, and just what drovers want.

Winfield Courier, September 4, 1874.

The Wichita Beacon extra August 28th has the following.

Cheyenne and Arapaho Agency, Darlington, Indian Territory. August 25.

A courier reached this agency last night at midnight from the vicinity of the Wichita Agency, and reports that the Kiowas and Comanches had attacked that agency on the 22nd. He reports that six employees at the agency had been killed on the first day. Black Bear's son-in-law was also killed; also two colored soldiers, two Kiowas, and one Comanche. The Indians sacked Shirly's store, packed his own goods on his own mules, and ran them off. Comanches and Kiowas are reported arriving from the plains, and the battle is still raging.

The troops were endeavoring to save the remaining employees, property, etc. We have tried to get a courier through, but thus far have failed to get positive information of the exact state of affairs. General Neil, in command of the troops at this agency, thinks he can hold his position against any hostile bands.

(Signed) JOHN MILES, U. S. Indian Agent.

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Arkansas City Traveler, February 9, 1876. J. A. STAFFORD and family leave this week for the Wichita Agency, where they will meet Agent Williams. Mr. Stafford is a licensed trader for the Wichitas. We expect to hear from them when they are located.

Arkansas City Traveler, March 1, 1876.

AGENT A. C. WILLIAMS, of the Wichita, Kiowa, Caddo, and other affiliated bands at the Wichita Agency, left Wichita last Saturday, on his way to the Agency, in company with Mrs. Williams and his family. He has been sick for two weeks, and unable to take charge of his mission before. Mr. Spray, a nephew of Uriah Spray, at the Kaw Agency, goes with him.

Arkansas City Traveler, June 21, 1876. J. A. STAFFORD, of Wichita Agency, is here, fat and happy: the Territory agrees with him. He left Wichita Agency on the 15th and arrived here on the evening of the 19th, the entire distance being 180 miles, as follows: from the Agency to Fort Reno, on the south side of North Fork Canadian, 40 miles; to Dan Jones' Ranche, on the Cimarron, 40 miles; to Skeleton Creek, 35 miles, to Caldwell, 46 miles, to Arkansas City, 35 miles. Mr. Stafford says the trail is almost continually flocked with cattle. Agent Miles succeeded in capturing the Arapaho Indian who murdered Dr. Hollaway's son, two years ago, also Big Mouth, chief of the Arapahos, who was implicated in the murder. Buffalo are very numerous on the plains, and can be found as near as twenty-five miles west of the Salt Fork, feeding southwest. The Pawnees were out last week and killed a number. Dan Jones is doing well and making money.

Arkansas City Traveler, September 6, 1876.

RANCH RED FORK, INDIAN TERRITORY.

August 25, 1876.

As it is cool enough this morning to keep the flies quiet, I will write you a few lines. At 2 o'clock p.m., yesterday, the thermometer registered 115, but a cool wind from the northwest this morning has brought the temperature down to 68.

Agent Miles, with his two amiable daughters, stopped with me last night. The Agent reports all quiet about the Agency. Two squaws were killed and two soldiers badly injured by lightning during a severe storm that passed over that section last Sunday night.

He reports that the Cheyennes and Arapahos are thinking of selling off part of their ponies and engaging in cattle raising.

Mr. Miles was on his way to Leavenworth after his wife, who has been there for some months.

The cattle drive is over. Quite a number of ponies have been driven past here this summer from Texas for Kansas and Colordo. The road is lined with freighters.

The other day a freighter mistook Messrs. Jackson and Smith, of Wichita, for Indians; and thinking his time had come, unhitched his horses and struck off over the prairie, leaving his wagon load of freight standing unguarded. The two men ran after him, calling out for him to stop; but the harder they yelled, the faster he ran. It was the poor fellow's first trip, and probably will be his last to this part of the country.

D. W. JONES.

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Arkansas City Traveler, November 1, 1876.

Mr. A. C. Williams and wife, and several of the employees of the Wichita Agency, Indian Territory, were at the Richey House last week. The party left on Sunday with several wagon loads of groceries and general supplies for their agency.

Mr. Williams relieved Agent Richards last winter. He has under his care about 1,220 Indians, made of the following tribes: Wichita, Wacos, Tawakanies, Caddos, Delawares, and 168 Comanches. To care for these semi-savages, there are employed an agent, a clerk, a physician, miller, wagon maker, blacksmith, commissary clerk, farmer, one laborer, and one teamster.

Mr. Williams has under his charge a boarding school with over 100 pupils enrolled. This school employs two teachers, one matron, seamstress, laundress, cook, baker, and industrial teacher. He employs eighteen head of work horses and has nine cows. The agency receives an appropriation of $9,360 a year, within which, he is confined in the expenditures. Beacon.

Winfield Courier, August 23, 1877. Harter, Harris & Co. have taken a contract to supply the Cheyenne, Comanches, and Wichita Indians with flour. This will make a home market for a large quantity of wheat and save a large amount of hauling to Wichita.

Arkansas City Traveler, April 10, 1878.

The large missionary school building at Wichita Agency was burned to the ground on the morning of the 29th ult. Nothing was saved, and the loss will amount to $25,000. It was the finest Government building in the West. An Indian boy, named Soldier, nephew of Black Beaver, was burned to death. One hundred and forty scholars roomed in the building.