Western American Indian Outlaw. Born Bluford Duck, his Cherokee name was Sha-con-gah Kaw-wan-nu and he was called Blue Duck. Bluford "Blue" Duck is the figure that Larry McMurtry used in his novel "Lonesome Dove." None of the activities match in the book except for the outlaw connection which McMurtry felt fit well with the story line. His true story was, on June 23, 1884, in the Flint District of the Cherokee Nation, he and a fellow named William Christie, both drunk, rode up to where a farmer named Samuel Wyrick was working in his field. He emptied his revolver into Wyrick, reloaded and then fired again at an Indian boy who was working for Wyrick. He then rode over to a neighboring farm and shot at but missed the neighbor. He and Christie were arrested for the killing and were sentence to be hanged from Judge Issac Parker's gallows on July 23, 1886. Christie was cleared of the charge. Blue Duck's attorney, Thomas Marcum called attention to his client's case by the alleged involvement he had with Belle Starr in crime and cattle rustling. The alleged couple posed for a studio portrait but the involvement has been disputed. Marcum appealed for a lesser punishment of life in prison and Duck was committed to Menard Penitentiary at Chester Illinois on October 16, 1886 as inmate number 2486. He developed consumption and was pardoned by President Cleveland on March 20, 1895. He was given only one month to live, was released and died shortly afterwards.
Western American Indian Outlaw. Born Bluford Duck, his Cherokee name was Sha-con-gah Kaw-wan-nu and he was called Blue Duck. Bluford "Blue" Duck is the figure that Larry McMurtry used in his novel "Lonesome Dove." None of the activities match in the book except for the outlaw connection which McMurtry felt fit well with the story line. His true story was, on June 23, 1884, in the Flint District of the Cherokee Nation, he and a fellow named William Christie, both drunk, rode up to where a farmer named Samuel Wyrick was working in his field. He emptied his revolver into Wyrick, reloaded and then fired again at an Indian boy who was working for Wyrick. He then rode over to a neighboring farm and shot at but missed the neighbor. He and Christie were arrested for the killing and were sentence to be hanged from Judge Issac Parker's gallows on July 23, 1886. Christie was cleared of the charge. Blue Duck's attorney, Thomas Marcum called attention to his client's case by the alleged involvement he had with Belle Starr in crime and cattle rustling. The alleged couple posed for a studio portrait but the involvement has been disputed. Marcum appealed for a lesser punishment of life in prison and Duck was committed to Menard Penitentiary at Chester Illinois on October 16, 1886 as inmate number 2486. He developed consumption and was pardoned by President Cleveland on March 20, 1895. He was given only one month to live, was released and died shortly afterwards.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
Inscription
Faded on earth to bloom in Heaven.
Gone but not forgotten.
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