Issuba Ombinili Tvshka Choctaw Lighthorsemen Ryan L Spring

Issuba Ombinili Tvshka Choctaw Light-horsemen Ryan L. Spring Historic Preservation Department Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma

Duties • Principle Law Enforcement for the Choctaws in Mississippi and Indian Territory • Settled Disputes • Made Arrests • Carried out Sentences

Pre-Removal Choctaw Government Okla Hannali District Ahepvt Okla District Okla Falaya District Mó-sho-la-túb-bee, He Who Puts Out and Kills, Chief of the Tribe, George Catlin, 1834, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Joseph Harrison, Jr. 1985. 66. 294 Chief Pushmataha Chief Mosholatubbee Chief Apukshunnubbee Village Chiefs Council Village Chiefs Council Village Chiefs Council

Pre-Removal Choctaw Government • Laws in Choctaw society were enforced by the Iksa (moieties) in each village. • If a law was broken the guilty party would compensate the offended party. Choctaw Village near the Chefuncte, François Bernard, 1869, Peabody Museum, 41 -72 -10/27

Changes in Choctaw Society • Western Influences – – Trade Intermarriage Western Diplomacy Western Schools • To Adapt – Issuba Ombinili Tvshka Choctaw Light-horsemen

Early Light-horsemen 1820 - 1837 Duties Laws Enforced • Acted as judge, jury, and enacted punishments • No appeals • Settled Disputes • • Liquor (39 Lashes) Theft (39 Lashes) Adultery (39 Lashes) Murder (39 Lashes)

Light-horseman in Indian Territory 1838 - 1860 • Six Light-horsemen per district, 2 year terms • Enforced judgments of the Tribal Judges • Equipment – Revolvers, Rifles, Shotguns – Wore clothing similar to the US Marshalls • • Whiskey Law Summon Citizens Jails Created Principle Chief was granted 6 Light-horsemen as special messengers and enforcers

Light-horseman in Indian Territory 1838 - 1859 • • • Treason (Death) Accusation (60 Lashes) Arson ( 39 Lashes) Perjury ($10 -$100 or 39 Lashes) Rape (100 Lashes or 2 nd Offense Death) Murder (Death Penalty) No Stickball or Horse Races on Sundays ($10) Grand Larceny ($25, 2 nd Offense Death) Kidnapping (Branded "T" and 100 Lashes Sodomy (Death) Resistance with Deadly Weapon (Death)

American Civil War 1861 – 1865 • May 7 th, 1861 • Law Destabilized – Refugees – Raiders and Outlaws – Lack of food • Cattle • Crops

Post Civil War 1866 - 1894 Changes Notable Outlaws & Others • Death penalty changed to shot until dead • Light-horse replaced by County Sheriffs and Rangers • District chiefs able to appoint his own lighthorseman as a peace officer and messenger • National Treasurer allowed 2 Light-horseman • Lewis Terrell Gang – John Jenkins • John Carpenter • Belle Star – Robber’s Cave • Quantrill Gang – Frank & Jesse James, Cole Younger – Colbert’s Ferry

Dissolution of Light-horseman 1895 • Judge Holson from Wilburton Court disbanded the Lighthorsemen in 1895. • Silan Lewis was shot by the light-horseman on November 5 th, he did not die from the gunshot and was executed by suffocation.