CHEROKEE LIGHTHORSE

CAMPSITE of the CHEROKEE LIGHTHORSE

and

Rider's of the Cimarron

U.S. Indian Police Badge

Indian Territorial Police and Gunfighters

The Cherokee Lighthorse
Ponca City, Oklahoma
Indian Lighthorse badge carried by all the Five Civilized Tribes

We of the Lighthorse are a group of historical reenactors which are dedicated to the preservation of the historical past of the Indian and Oklahoma Territories. The Lighthorse not only do historical theatrical reenactments, gunfighter exhibitions and also compete in Gunfighter Competition.

We re-enact the time period between the end of the Civil War 1865 through the late 1890's.

Demonstrating the wild and woolly early history of Oklahoma and the Indian Territory. Through the thick clouds of gunsmoke and smell of burning powder, one has an opportunity to see-through theatrical reenactment the early wild ways of our forebears. The Cherokee Lighthorse are made up of a diverse group of indivduals from all over Oklahoma. The group is made up of a cross section of age and cultural background.
Both the Indian and Oklahoma Territory had female marshal's in the early 1890's.

History of the Lighthorse

About 1808, before the removal, while the Cherokee were still located in the old South. The Cherokee Nation passed an act appointing the "regulators" for the purpose of supressing horse stealing and robbery, to protect orphans and widows, they were also authorized to kill any person accused that resisted their authority. After the removal to the west, the 1830's and 1840's saw the rise of individual tribal law enforcement system and judicial courts similar to what they had in the East. With the removal the five tribes they brought their slaves with them.

November 13, 1844 as reported in the Cherokee Advocate, published at Tahlequah, that the Cherokee National Council had passed a bill authorizing a Lighthorse Company. The Bill authorized the Lighthorse to be composed of a captain, lieutenant and twenty-four hosrseman. Their assigned duties were to purse and arrest all fugitives from justice. The other tribes of the Five Civilized Tribes imitated the Cherokee Lighthorse for their own nations.

Badges used by the various tribes in the Indian Territory, Oklahoma Territory and other states.
Carried by the BIA Police - Federal Agency
Carried by Apache Police on all the various Apache reservations

To Book Reservations with our group:

We are available by reservation to perform at your major events; parades, Frontier Days or other historical function. We have performed on numerous occasions and at many events.

Email us through the Indian Territory Wild West Shows, LLC:

Arkansas Jack [Jim Robins]

Company Commander
Cherokee Lighthorse
&
Rider's of the Cimarron

and

Brig. Gen. Tuklo Bish-Ko-Kos
Commander
1st Cherokee Mounted Rifles

Some members of the group such as the Commander of the Lighthorse has an extensive background in acting. We are there fore available for acting parts in movies as well.

Gunfighter Awards

Historical Old West

Women Marshals