Webster in Day County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

The Fight at Webster

Photographed by Ruth VanSteenwyk, December 5, 2015

1. The Fight at Webster Marker

Inscription. Following the 1862 Minnesota Indian Uprising where nearly 600 men, women, and children were killed, the United States Army at Fort Wadsworth recruited friendly Indians as scouts to restrict the hostile Indians from white settlements. A half-breed, Jack Campbell, led a group to the Mankato area and massacred the Jewett family. Campbell was caught and hung but his companions escaped and fled West. Near the present site of Webster this murderous group were met and recognized by Solomon Two Stars, an Army scout, on May 16, 1865. Solomon and four enlisted scouts; Wahacankaiteton, Kampeska, Tatankawanjidan, and Cankuwanjidan promptly attacked. Three of the hostiles were killed, one escaped, and a renegade nephew of Two Stars was captured. The latter confessed that he and the others were guilty of the murder. Under strict orders to take no prisoners, Two Stars was faced with a terrible choice. Duty demanded his kinsman be killed. Should he order one of the scouts to shoot him or accept the responsibility? Fifty years later, he said, “I shot him before my tears should blind me.” Can white men produce a better chronicle of integrity?

Erected 1964

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by Webster Chamber of Commerce and the State Highway Commission. (Marker Number 376.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers • Wars, US Indian. In addition, it is included in the South Dakota State Historical Society Markers series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 16, 1865.

Location. 45° 20.48′ N, 97° 32.116′ W. Marker is in Webster, South Dakota, in Day County. It is on U.S. 12 ¼ mile W. 7th Street, on the right when traveling west. This marker is located outside the Museum of Wildlife, Science & Industry, Webster, South Dakota. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 760 W Hwy 12, Webster SD 57274, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East River.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

in the Corn Belt,

on the prairies,

and on the Northern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land

and also the

Museum of Wildlife, Science & Industry image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ruth VanSteenwyk, December 5, 2015

2. Museum of Wildlife, Science & Industry

Fifth marker in the row of markers.

Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: WWII Plane Crash Holds Memories (here, next to this marker); Edgar S. McFadden (a few steps from this marker); Sigurd Anderson (a few steps from this marker); Webster (within shouting distance of this marker); "Lest We Forget" (approx. 0.9 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 2.4 miles away); Pioneering in Dakota (approx. 8.1 miles away); Roslyn Auditorium (approx. 10.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Webster.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 21, 2021. It was originally submitted on December 9, 2015, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. This page has been viewed 887 times since then and 66 times this year. Last updated on August 21, 2021, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 9, 2015, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.