THE TRIAL OF CHIEF WAMAPO

Without courageous settlers and the United States Cavalry, there would be no Pawnee today. Their battles with the Wamapo Indian tribes were epic and brought great glory to both sides.

This mural depicts the trial of Chief Wamapo, who was accused of "being Indian." Tragically, in 1834 that was a crime punishable by death.

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Despite the proximity of the canon to Wamapo's body, the cavalry missed him on their first two shots. On the third shot, they got lucky and hit his left shin. He died several years later of old age.

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