Lean Bear - Later Life

Later Life

In 1857, Chief Lean Bear approached William Bent with concern about attacks on his people by Sumners troops along the Republican River. He then later became one of the principal signers in the Treaty of Fort Wise. While Lean Bear was the leader of a group of Cheyenne who were camped near Ash Creek in Kansas. He and his tribe were massacred by the Colorado miltia in 1864. While Lean Bear and his tribe were holding a buffalo hunt on the Smoky Hill River, he rode down to meet the troops who had just arrived. On his chest Lean Bear wore with pride, his peace medal that he had received on his trip to Washington D.C. in 1862, and in his hand held an official document, signed by President Abraham Lincoln, stating that he was peaceful and friendly with whites. They were unarmed, and Lean Bear approached the militia alone to show his peaceful intentions. The militia, under the command of Lieutenant George Eayre, approached their village. When they did so, Lean Bear and his fellow Cheyenne came forward to greet them. Eayre's troops had been ordered by Colonel John M. Chivington, to kill Indians on sight, and Eayre ordered his men to shoot Lean Bear. Lean Bear was shot off his horse, and was then shot repeatedly by the soldiers as he lay on the ground.