Near Goodland in Sherman County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

The Kidder Massacre

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 21, 2014

1. The Kidder Massacre Marker

Inscription. About July 1, 1867, Lt. Lyman S. Kidder with ten men of the 2nd U.S. Cavalry, and an Indian guide, were attacked by Indians one mile east of this marker. On July 12 their mutilated bodies were found by Lt. Col. George A. Custer, who ordered the unidentifiable remains buried on the spot in a common grave.

In March, 1868, the bodies were recovered by a detachment from Fort Wallace under command of Lt. Frederick H. Beecher, 3rd U.S. Infantry, who later that year was to die at the Battle of Beecher Island in northeastern Colorado. Kidder’s body, identified by a shirt he wore, was taken to St. Paul, Minn., by his father. The others were reburied at Fort Wallace, but in 1886 were removed to Fort Leavenworth military cemetery.

Erected 1969 by Citizens of Tri State Area.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Wars, US Indian. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1868.

Location. 39° 31.46′ N, 101° 33.324′ W. Marker is near Goodland, Kansas, in Sherman County. It is at the intersection of County Route 28 and 77, on the right when traveling north on County Route 28. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Goodland KS 67735, 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 Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 15 miles of this marker

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, measured as the crow flies: April 15, 1875 (here, next to this marker); Memorial to the Victims of Plane Crash July 18, 1946 (approx. 13.9 miles away); In Honor of Those Who Serve (approx. 14 miles away); Roll of Honor (approx. 14 miles away); Courthouse Statue & Bell (approx. 14.6 miles away); Brewster, Kansas (approx. 14.7 miles away); United Telephone Building (approx. 14.7 miles away); United States Post Office (approx. 14.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Goodland.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 21, 2014

2. The Kidder Massacre Marker

The Kidder Massacre image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Harper's Weekly

3. The Kidder Massacre

Photographed by .

4. The Kidder Massacre Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 21, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 14, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 3,434 times since then and 104 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 14, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Al Wolf was the editor who published this page.