Yellowstone National Park in Park County, Wyoming — The American West (Mountains)

Captive Tourists

The Nez Perce Encounter

By Robert L Weber, July 10, 2008

1. Captive Tourists Marker

Inscription.
During their fighting retreat toward freedom in Canada, the non-treaty Nez Perce passed directly through Yellowstone National Park in August, 1877. Their route followed this creek. When outriders encountered a party of sightseers camped nearby, the Nez Perce held the group hostage for several hours.

Angry at past betrayals, a pair of Nez Perce shot and left for dead George Cowan, but a chief intervened and the rest of the tourists were released unharmed. Six weeks later the Nez Perce surrendered to the U.S. Army in northern Montana. They were then transferred to reservations far from their home lands.

Photo caption: Mr. and Mrs. George Cowan are believed to be the two middle figures standing in front of the stagecoach.

Marker series. This marker is included in the The Nez Perce Trail marker series.

Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. 44° 34.44′ N, 110° 49.375′ W. Marker is in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, in Park County. Marker is on Grand Loop Road (U.S. 20) 0.4 miles east of Fountain Flat Drive, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Yellowstone National Park WY 82190, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this location

By Robert L Weber, July 10, 2008

2. Captive Tourists Marker

, measured as the crow flies. Chance Encounter (here, next to this marker); Nez Perce War (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Chance Encounter (a few steps from this marker); Murky Past . . . Promising Future (approx. ¾ mile away); Earthquake’s Offspring (approx. 1.8 miles away); Fountain Paint Pot (approx. 1.8 miles away); a different marker also named Fountain Paint Pot (approx. 1.8 miles away); White Dome Geyser (approx. 2.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Yellowstone National Park.

Regarding Captive Tourists. This marker was replaced by a new one named Chance Encounter (see nearby markers).

Also see . . . Nez Perce War - Wikipedia. (Submitted on January 6, 2011, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.)

Categories. • Native Americans •

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. This page originally submitted on January 4, 2011, by Bob (peach) Weber of Prescott Valley, Arizona. This page has been viewed 553 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 4, 2011, by Bob (peach) Weber of Prescott Valley, Arizona. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.