Near Hugoton in Grant County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Jedediah Strong Smith
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 16, 2022
1. Jedediah Strong Smith Marker
of
Jedediah Strong Smith
1798-1831
A great plainsman who was killed near
this spot by Comanche Indians
Erected 1937 by 4H Clubs of Grant County.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Native Americans • Settlements & Settlers • Wars, US Indian. A significant historical year for this entry is 1831.
Location. 37° 24.395′ N, 101° 19.932′ W. Marker is near Hugoton, Kansas, in Grant County. Marker is on State Highway 25, 14.4 miles north of U.S. 56, on the left when traveling north. Marker is located in a pull-out on the west side of the highway. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hugoton KS 67951, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 6 other markers are within 13 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Wagon Bed Springs (a few steps from this marker); The Mormon Battalion at Cimarron Springs (Wagon Bed Springs) (a few steps from this marker); Veterans Memorial (approx. 11.9 miles away); Grant County Shop (Adobe) Building (approx. 11.9 miles away); a different marker also named Veterans Memorial (approx. 12 miles away); Dan C. Sullivan (approx. 12.4 miles away).
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1. Jedediah Strong Smith.
Smith was leading a caravan on the Santa Fe Trail on May 27, 1831, when he left the group to scout for water near the Lower Spring on the Cimarron River in present-day southwest Kansas. He never returned to the group. The remainder of the party proceeded on to Santa Fe hoping Smith would rendezvous with them, but he never did.(Submitted on January 10, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)Most likely, the death of Jedediah Smith occurred in Northern Mexico Territory, south of present-day Ulysses, Grant County, Kansas. According to Smith's grand-nephew, Ezra Delos Smith, there were 20 Comanches in the group. Smith attempted to conciliate with them until the Comanches scared his horse and shot him in the left shoulder with an arrow.
2. Jedediah Strong Smith.
In May 1831, Smith and another man rode away from the caravan searching for water. Smith never returned. The rest of the party continued without him, hoping that he would catch up somewhere along the way. When they arrived in Santa Fe, they met up with a Mexican merchant selling some of Smith’s belongings. When questioned, the merchant reported that Smith had been attacked by a group of 15-20 Comanche Indians near(Submitted on January 10, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)Wagon Bed Spring on the Cimarron River, south of present-day Ulysses, Kansas, on May 27. Smith’s body was never found.Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 16, 20222. Jedediah Strong Smith Marker Dedication Plaque(mounted on pedestal below historical marker)
Erected by
The 4H Clubs of Grant County
from funds secured as
winner of First Place in the
Historical Pageant
at the
Southwest Free Fair at Dodge City
1937
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 16, 2022
3. Jedediah Strong Smith Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on January 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 9, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 143 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 10, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
