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Post by Mike Powell on Sept 23, 2009 8:42:32 GMT -6
 Visited early in September and learned that the land incorporating the cluster of rocks where James Wheatley and Issac Fisher were found has now been acquired by the state. The Superintendent instructed us on passing through the last fence to reach the area, which we did. That fence is still marked as Private Property - Keep Out so I'd suggest you speak with the folks at the museum before proceeding. The site is an impressive defensive position with an extremely steep slope falling away to the east northeast and the rocks giving cover to the north. As usual, not a soul in sight except my friend in the picture - just the way I like it. As info, the rock he's resting his foot on is chiseled with the two civilians' names "Killed By Indians" and the date, this done in the early 1950's. Yours, Mike Powell |
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Post by WY Man on Oct 25, 2009 18:36:05 GMT -6
I understand that the Wheatley - Fisher, Killed by Indians inscription was carved by J. W. Vaughn (author of "With Crook at the Rosebud,") and L.C. Bishop, a 1960s Wyoming archaeologist. They may have been right about the location though. Sterling Fenn said he found bullets buried in the soil there, clustered as if multiple rounds were fired into a prostrate individual. Fenn has done some metal detecting on the battlefield, and the adjacent property, in cooperation with Fort Phil Kearny and the adjacent landowners.  |
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Post by crzhrs on Oct 26, 2009 9:34:10 GMT -6
I was there back in '89 . . . it still looks the same. No sign of humans or human habitation for miles. It still looks like a bad place to face anyone who is out to get you!
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Post by Mike Powell on Oct 26, 2009 17:25:45 GMT -6
WM,
Wish I had something to offer on the date of the carvings. "The 50's" is what I understood the Supt to say, but we sure didn't discuss it at all. Maybe I misheard.
Craze,
Wouldn't be a bad place to face "someone", facing large multiples of 81 - I'd agree. I've mentioned before trying to sleep in my truck one rainy night in the parking lot at the memorial. I can't recommend it.
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Post by crzhrs on Oct 27, 2009 8:52:49 GMT -6
Mike:
Yeah, it was a wide-open area . . . even though there were dips and hills to scamper about in. Still you had to face your enemy to get them, especially the Indians who at that time still did not have many firearms and the ones they did have were almost obsolete. Wheatley & Fisher apparently inflicted a high percentage of the casualties with their rapid fire weapons, plus they were experienced frontiersmen. Must have been a horrific scene.
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