Ned Christie
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[edit] Early Life
Ned Christie, a Cherokee, was born December 14, 1852 at Wauhillau, in the Goingsnake District of the Cherokee Nation and died November 3, 1892 in the Goingsnake District. He was the son of the Removal Era, Trail of Tears, survivors, Watt and Lydia (Thrower) Christie. Ned was a member of the executive council (1885) in the Cherokee Nation senate, serving as one of three advisors to Chief Bushyhead. In the Cherokee language he was called NeDe WaDe. Ned was a marble champion, stick ball player and there was hardly an occasion that he wasn't asked to play the fiddle. He was married first to Nannie Dick (about 1871); second he married Peggy Tucker (1875); third Jennie Scraper (about 1877); and fourth Nancy Greece (about 1888). By religion Ned was a member of the Keetoowah Society. His father was grandfather (Lacy Christie), and his father, were Chief's of their ceremonial ground near the family home at Wauhillau.
[edit] Alleged killing
In May of 1877 a U. S. Marshal, Dan Maples, was shot and killed in the Cherokee Nation. Ned was accused of the killing. He adamantly denied the accusation and asked the court in Fort Smith, AR, to allow him time to prove his innocence. Judge Issac Parker denied the request. Fearing a trial before white people in a U. S. court, Ned went to his home and began a stand off with the U. S. that would last almost five years. Ned was never convicted of a crime in his lifetime. In 1918 a man named Dick Humphrey's came forward and stated he saw the killing of Maple's and Ned didn't shoot him, Bud Trainer did.Today there is a plaque at the old Cherokee Court House in Tahlequah, OK, which reads "assassinated by U. S. Marshals" in 1892 as part of a memorial to Ned. The Fort Smith Historical Site (www.nps.gov/fosm/home/) also recognizes Ned Christie's assassination.
[edit] Last Stand
Ned built a fortress, today often referred to as Ned's Fort, as his home at Wauhillau during the time he was fighting off U. S. marshals and bounty hunters. The fort was a double log thick home with sand poured between the logs, and only small openings to look out of and put a riffle through. After Ned was assassinated his body was tied to a cellar door and taken to Fayettville, AR, by train. There he was photographed with the lawmen and others wishing to have there picture taken with this "notorious outlaw." Then by train, his body was taken to Fort Smith, where he was propped up on the street for pictures and viewing. A postcard by the Cook photography studio was taken and distributed for sale. His body was finally returned to Wauhillau for burial. Many newspaper articles, western magazine articles and novels have been written about him, most with incorrect information. Most of the novels were works of fiction including "Zeke and Ned" by Larry McMurtry and Diana Osana and "Ned Christie's War" by Robert Conley. There are works of non-fiction including one by Ned's great great nephew, Roy Hamilton, "Ned Christie; Cherokee Warrior," and others.
