Near Niobrara in Knox County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Standing Bear's Return

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 17, 2026

1. Standing Bear's Return Marker

Inscription.

Things did not improve for the Ponca. Disease and homesickness still plagued them. During the winter of 1878-79, Chief Standing Bear's son died. He wanted to be buried in Nebraska. With a small band, the chief slipped away and headed North to bury his son. After 10 weeks, they arrived at the Omaha Agency. When the news of their escape reached Washington, authorities ordered General George Crook to arrest them and return them to the Indian Territory. Standing Bear and his followers were brought to Omaha on March 26, 1879.

When their plight became known, sympathetic friends, some in high places, came to their defense. They convinced John L. Webster and A. J. Poppleton to volunteer their legal services. They filed a suit for habeas corpus, which raised the issue of whether Indians were citizens and entitled to the protection of the Constitution. While Judge Elmer Dundy did not decide the citizenship question, his landmark decision declared that the Indian was a person under the law and therefore entitled to the protection of the Constitution and the laws of the United States. Standing Bear and his band

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were freed. They chose to remain in Nebraska, returning to their homes, thus dividing the tribe into the Northern Ponca and the Southern Ponca, those who stayed in Indian Territory.

Erected by Nebraska State Parks.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Civil Rights • Indigenous Peoples and Communities. A significant historical date for this entry is March 26, 1879.

Location. 42° 45.953′ N, 98° 3.082′ W. Marker is near Niobrara, Nebraska, in Knox County. It can be reached from no nearby street. Marker is under the J. Alan Cramer Interpretive Shelter in Niobrara State Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 89261 522 Avenue, Niobrara NE 68760, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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

in the Corn Belt,

and on the prairies.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

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

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: J. Alan Cramer Interpretive Shelter

J. Alan Cramer Interpretive Shelter Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 17, 2026

2. J. Alan Cramer Interpretive Shelter Markers

(here, next to this marker); Lewis and Clark Expedition (here, next to this marker); They Opened The West (here, next to this marker); 1846-47 Mormon Winter Camp (here, next to this marker); The Peaceful Ponca (here, next to this marker); The Forced Removal (here, next to this marker); "We Proceeded On" (here, next to this marker); Niobrara (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Niobrara.

More about this marker. Nebraska State Parks entrance fee required.

Also see . . . Standing Bear (Nebraska State Historical Society). (Submitted on September 27, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)

Credits. This page was last revised on October 11, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 27, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 4 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 27, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.