Buffalo in Johnson County, Wyoming — The American West (Mountains)

Nate Champion's Diary

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 16, 2015

1. Nate Champion's Diary Marker

Inscription. Me and Nick was getting breakfast when the attack took place. Two men with us - Bill Jones and another man. The old man went after water and did not come back. His friend went out to see what was the matter and he did not come back. Nick started out and I told him to look out, that I thought that some one was in the stable and would not let them come back. Nick is shot, but not dead yet. He is awful sick. I must go and wait on him. It is now about two hours since the first shot. Nick is still alive; they are still shooting and are all around the house. Boys, there is bullets coming like hail. Them fellows is in such shape I can't get at them. They are shooting from the stable and river and back of the house. Nick is dead, he died about 9 o'clock. I see smoke down at the stable. I think they have fired it. I don't think they intend to let me get away this time. It is now about noon. There is someone at the stable yet; they are throwing a rope out the door and drawing it back. I guess it is to draw me out. I wish that duck would get out further so I could get a shot at him. Boys, I don't know what they have done with them

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

two fellows that staid last night. Boys, I feel pretty lonesome just now.
I wish there was someone here with me so we could watch all sides at once. They may fool around until I get a good shot before they leave. It's about 3 o'clock now. There was a man in a buckboard and one on horseback just passed. They fired on them as they went by. I don't know if they killed them or not. I seen lots of men come out on horses on the other side of the river and take after them. I shot at the men in the stable just now; don't know if I got any or not. I must go and look out again. It don't look as if there is much show of me getting away. I see twelve or fifteen men. One looks like +++++. I don't know whether it is or not. I hope they did not catch them fellows that run over the bridge towards Smith's. They are shooting at the house now. If I had a pair of glasses I believe I would know some of those men. They are coming back. I've got to look out.
Well, they have just got through shelling the house like hail. I heard them splitting wood. I guess they are going to fire the house to-night. I think I will make a break when Night comes, if

Nate Champion's Last Run image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 16, 2015

2. Nate Champion's Last Run

Statue by D. Michael Thomas, 2008.

alive. Shooting again. I think they will fire the house this time. It's not night yet. The house is all fired. Goodbye, boys, if I never see you again. -- Nathan D. Champion

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Events.

Location. 44° 20.885′ N, 106° 41.982′ W. Marker is in Buffalo, Wyoming, in Johnson County. It is on Fort Street near Adams Avenue, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 151 Fort Street, Buffalo WY 82834, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Wyoming’s Powder River Basin.

It is also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Nate Champion's Last Run (a few steps from this marker); Homesteading and the Jenkins Family (a few steps from this marker); Johnson County War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Johnson County Courthouse

Paid Advertisement

(within shouting distance of this marker); Powder River Country (within shouting distance of this marker); Occidental Hotel (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Historic Buffalo, Wyoming (about 600 feet away); Heritage Mall (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Buffalo.

More about this marker. This marker is located in front of the Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum next to The Nate Champion's Last Run statue.

Also see . . . Nate Champion - Wikipedia. Nathan D. Champion (September 29, 1857 – April 9, 1892) — known as Nate Champion — was a key figure in the Johnson County War of April 1892. Falsely accused by a wealthy Wyoming cattlemen's association of being a rustler, Champion was the first person murdered by a band of hit men hired by the cattlemen. In reality, Champion was simply a small rancher who stood up against the big cattlemen's practice of claiming all unbranded young cattle on the range. (Submitted on December 12, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on December 12, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 4,544 times since then and 446 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 12, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Mid-distance view of this marker • Can you help?