Issuba Ombinili TvshkaChoctaw Light-horsemen

Ryan L. SpringHistoric 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-RemovalChoctaw Government

Okla Hannali District

Chief Pushmataha

Village Chiefs Council

Village Chiefs Council

Village Chiefs Council

Ahepvt Okla District

Chief Mosholatubbee

Village Chiefs Council

Village Chiefs Council

Village Chiefs Council

Okla Falaya District

Chief Apukshunnubbee

Village Chiefs Council

Village Chiefs Council

Village Chiefs Council

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

Pre-RemovalChoctaw 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-horsemen1820- 1837

Duties• Acted as judge, jury, and

enacted punishments• No appeals• Settled Disputes

Laws Enforced• Liquor (39 Lashes)• Theft (39 Lashes)• Adultery (39 Lashes)• Murder (39 Lashes)

Light-horseman in Indian Territory1838 - 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 Territory1838 - 1859

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

American Civil War1861 – 1865

• May 7th, 1861• Law Destabilized– Refugees– Raiders and Outlaws– Lack of food

• Cattle• Crops

Post Civil War1866 - 1894

Changes• 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

Notable Outlaws & Others• 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-horseman1895

• Judge Holson from Wilburton Court disbanded the Light-horsemen in 1895.

• Silan Lewis was shot by the light-horseman on November 5th, he did not die from the gunshot and was executed by suffocation.