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 • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • 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. It 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.
Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest, in the Corn Belt, on the prairies, on the Great Plains, on the Southern Plains, and specifically on the High Plains. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Comancherνa, the Dust Bowl, the Louisiana Purchase, and the Republic of Texas.
Other nearby markers. At
this page online
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.
Also see . . .
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.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 16, 2022
2. Jedediah Strong Smith Marker Dedication Plaque
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
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 Smiths belongings. When questioned, the merchant reported that Smith had been attacked by a group of 15-20 Comanche Indians near Wagon Bed Spring on the Cimarron River, south of present-day Ulysses, Kansas, on May 27. Smiths body was never found.(Submitted on January 10, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 16, 2022
3. Jedediah Strong Smith Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on December 15, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 9, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,007 times since then and 108 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 10, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
