Plum Creek Massacre Site

August 8, 1864

Historic Plum Creek History image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Susan Van Den Bosch, February 24, 2026

1. Historic Plum Creek History

Inscription. An early morning attack on a train of 12 wagons at this spot resulted in the death of 11 men and the capture of Mrs. Thomas Morton and 9 year old Danny Marble. The attack was by Indian “Dog Soldiers” of the Cheyenne Tribe led by Chief Bull Bear. Later the captives were released in exchange for supplies the Indians needed. Those killed were buried in graves at the site of the attack.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers • Wars, US Indian.

Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 40° 40.362′ N, 99° 36.348′ W. Marker was in Bertrand, Nebraska, in Phelps County. It was on Local Route 748. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Bertrand NE 68927, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker was in Eastern Nebraska. It was also in the American Midwest,

in the Corn Belt,

and on the prairies.

Globally, it was in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

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Historically, it found itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies: Sarepta Gore Fly (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named The Plum Creek Massacre (a few steps from this marker); Oregon Trail (a few steps from this marker); Pony Express (a few steps from this marker); Historic Plum Creek History (a few steps from this marker); Historic Plum Creek Cemetery Information & Directory (a few steps from this marker); The Tobin Indian Raid (approx. 6.9 miles away); M60A1 Main Battle Tank (approx. 8.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bertrand.

Another marker is no longer nearby. The Plum Creek Massacre (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Also see . . . The Plum Creek Massacre and Plum Creek Cemetery. (Submitted on January 26, 2013, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.)

Oregon Trail image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Susan Van Den Bosch, February 24, 2026

2. Oregon Trail

To the frontier men
and women who lost
their lives by hostile
Indians in the
Plum Creek Massacre
August 7, 1864

Erected in remembrance by Phelps Co.
Nov. 9, 1930

Plum Creek Massacre Site Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, August 28, 2000

3. Plum Creek Massacre Site Marker

Plum Creek Massacre Site image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, August 28, 2000

4. Plum Creek Massacre Site

Credits. This page was last revised on March 1, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 24, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 3,439 times since then and 141 times this year. Last updated on March 1, 2026, by Susan Van Den Bosch of Almond, Wisconsin. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 26, 2026, by Susan Van Den Bosch of Almond, Wisconsin. 3, 4. submitted on January 24, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.