I read some where that after he was killed by white marshalls from Ft. Smith, that Ned Christie's rifle was taken there, and that it is now in the museum at the Ft. Smith court house. I would like to know if this is true, or if it is just on of the many things that have been misquoted in the history books.

I don't remember whether or not the actual rifle is still there, but Ned's body was taken to Fort Smith and photographed on the steps of the federal courthouse. The body was tied to a board and he was propped up for the photo holding his Winchester M1873 Rifle.

I cannot verify the information I have, but I have been curious about the rifle myself. My great, great grandfather was Ennis Mills who was a US Marshall in Ft. Smith, Arkansas, and was part of the group that fought and killed Ned Christie.

Now the part I cannot verify (but have no reason to doubt) is that Ennis Mills was given Christie's gun and according to my grandfather and his brothers, the rifle hung over their fireplace while they were growing up. Somewhere along the way though the rifle disappeared and so far as I know, no one was ever able to track it down (according to my father at least one of his uncles had spent a lot of time trying to find it).

Of course they have all passed away at this point (including my father), but if the rifle did make it's way to the museum in Ft. Smith it would be great to know. It would definitely be a fitting place and I'd love to take my own children to see it at some point. I may try to contact the museum directly and see what information they have.

quote:

Originally posted by Heather:
I read some where that after he was killed by white marshalls from Ft. Smith, that Ned Christie's rifle was taken there, and that it is now in the museum at the Ft. Smith court house. .

I happened to be at the museum last night and, remembering this question, checked out the display on Ned Christie. There is a .44 Winchester (as well as one of his pistols) displayed there. The language is somewhat vague, referring to the rifle as "said to have been used by" Christie.

--meursault

In the book, 'The Killing of Ned Christie' by Bonnie Speer, there is a a photo of a Winchester on display in the museum that is said to be Christie's. It has the initials "A L. G. J." and an unintelligible inscription in the stock. The caption reads it is the Cherokee words "Ned Wade", which means Ned Christie. It is supposedly also engraved on the metal plate of the rifle but cannot be seen in the photo. I wish there was a more definitive way of determining facts such as this!