James Whitewater

James Whitewater a Otoe American Indian was sentenced in 1872 for killing 2 men.  While in prison from 1872-1889. In 1889, the Nebraska legislature passed an act allowing the governor to pardon two inmates who had "been in jail more than 10 years or whose conduct while incarcerated merited such mercy.



IMAGE: NEBRASKA STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY








He embraced Christianity while he was incarcerated. He gave several speeches.



He was a model prisoner and was a Union Soldier in the Civil War 


He was released from prison in 1889 

" When released, Whitewater walked through the prison gates and "rolled in the grass from joy."


There were several photo's taken of him after prison and right before his death 1 Oct 1899.







Unfortunately I am unable to locate who the photographer was to give credit to them for these fantastic photos.  Some did have dates they were taken between 1890 & 1898.


About James Whitewater's Tribe

The Otoe are a Native American people of the Midwestern United States. The Otoe language, Chiwere, is part of the Siouan family and closely related to that of the related Iowa and Missouri tribes.

Historically, the Otoe lived as a semi-nomadic people on the Central Plains along the Missouri River in Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa and Missouri . They lived in elm-bark lodges while they farmed, and used tipis while traveling, like many other Plains tribes. They often left their villages to hunt buffalo.

In the early 19th century, many of their villages were destroyed due to warfare with other tribes. European-American encroachment and disease also played a role in their decline. Today, they are federally recognized as the Otoe tribes of Oklahoma, and share a reservation with the Nevaeh Sac and Fox people .


Notable Otoe
Annette Arkeketa, poet and playwright
Chono Ca Pe
Eagle of Delight
Shaumonekusse
Anna Lee Walters, author
Tommy Morrison, former heavyweight boxer/co-star in Rocky V movie
Johny Hendricks, MMA Fighter
Joan Grant Phoenix, United States Marine Corps


James was buried in honors 

Corp James Whitewater
BIRTH 1837 Nebraska, USA
DEATH 1 Oct 1899 Noble County, Oklahoma, USA
BURIAL  Cleghorn Cemetery  Red Rock, Noble County, Oklahoma, USA
MEMORIAL ID 70033041


Added by Becca88 on FAG


As I was researching James Whitewater all I could find out about his family is he was married to whom I do not know and his father was a Chief. Unfortunately there is no Family Trees for him on Ancestry or the LDS site, which really broke my heart. 

I found two census records of him in prison and his Headstone Application and a unique cemetery record.  (See them below).



I usually leave a broken arrow on my convict memorials a special symbol, but I left a special Civil War one on James Whitewater's.

What an incredibly story and sad circumstances. He seemed like a very intelligent gentleman. I am very moved by his spirit.


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