Massacre Canyon: The Last Battle Between American Indians Paperback – March 26, 2026

This book provides a detailed account of the history and culture of the Pawnee people, who for centuries were the dominant Indian tribe on the Great Plains and in Nebraska. Known for their warrior culture and complex social structure, at one time their territory spanned much of present-day Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Colorado and South Dakota. The sun was shining brightly on the Pawnee Nation and they may have numbered as many as 100,000. This well written and well documented work starts at the very beginning of the First Peoples on this continent using evidence as recently as 2025. It also discusses archaeological evidence that make experts believe the ancestors of the Pawnee established themselves on the Great Plains thousands of years ago. However, this volume concentrates on their last significant conflict known as Massacre Canyon.On August 5th, 1873, Sioux warriors swooped down on unsuspecting Pawnee buffalo hunters and their families, killing almost 70, mostly women and children. In this book are the accounts of two young whitemen who were at the battle. There are interviews with Pawnee descendants of battle participants by Pawnees Garland and Martha Blaine, who even told the Sioux side of things. Also letters from official U.S. Army sources and information from local settlers’ manuscripts. Some highlights are the eight full page Mintling Maps in 50 year increments starting in 1600 that show the constant movement of American Indian tribes like the Sioux being pushed west onto the plains by settlers.The early Pawnee culture allowed them to thrive on the Great Plains and few tribes dared to encroach on their territory. The introduction of the horse in the 1700s changed everything. It allowed Indian tribes, and especially warriors, to move quickly. It also allowed diseases to move quickly. The Pawnee were then severely affected by diseases brought by Europeans, such as smallpox, which decimated their population multiple times. Each epidemic and loss of people made them more vulnerable to attacks from other tribes. In the mid-1800s they were living in eastern Nebraska for protection in numbers. By the time of The Custer Massacre in 1876, all of the Pawnee from Nebraska had relocated to a reservation in Oklahoma. Their population was less than 2500 and even their language was dying out. The sun was setting on the Pawnee Nation.Also covered are some gunfights and murders near, and even in, Massacre Canyon in the late 1800s. Learn about a local man that killed Wild Bill Hickok and of a quick-draw gunfight that is well documented. Of interest is the chapter on buffalo populations, their habits, and hunting them in the U.S.. The significant role of Pawnee scouts in westward expansion is explained in another chapter. There is a chapter about the annual pow wows held near the battleground starting fifty years later, with actual participants from both sides getting together and smoking the peace pipe. Another chapter gives information on local museums well worth your time to visit.The author keeps the narrative moving right along and the reader is always wondering what is on the next page. It is not only interesting, but many times humorous. In all there are 30 colored pictures in the book and just about as many black and white ones. The Battle of Massacre Canyon was tragic and horrific. It may have been a long time ago, but it will never be forgotten. Read more