In the tumultuous landscape of late 19th-century Oklahoma Territory, the name of Peter Anderson stands as a poignant reminder of courage and sacrifice. A full-blooded Potawatomi Indian, Anderson was deputized into an Oklahoma County posse, tasked with assisting officers in the dangerous pursuit of a notorious cattle rustler. Tragically, his dedication to justice led to his untimely death in the line of duty, cementing his place in the annals of Oklahoma law enforcement history.
Early Life and the Potawatomi Journey
Born in 1845 in Peoria County, Illinois, Peter Anderson’s early life was marked by the pervasive displacement experienced by Native American tribes during that era. He was the second son of John Anderson Sr. and Mary (Trombly or Trembley) Anderson. After his father’s death in 1847, when Peter Anderson was merely two years old, his mother moved the family to Council Bluffs, Iowa, following the removal of many Potawatomi. The family faced further hardship when his mother died in 1848, leaving Peter and his older brother, John Charles, to be cared for by their grandmother, Archange Wilmot Trembley. Around 1850, as part of a larger tribal relocation, Peter, his brother, and their grandmother were moved again, this time to the Silver Lake area of Kansas, enduring the arduous journey and continuous upheaval characteristic of the Potawatomi people’s history.
Settlement in Indian Territory and Family Life
As Peter Anderson grew into manhood, his life intertwined with the Hardin family, another Potawatomi lineage. His brother, John Anderson, married Elizabeth Hardin, and later, Peter married Elizabeth’s younger sister, Julia Hardin. In the spring of 1871, seeking a new beginning, Peter and Julia, along with John Anderson’s family, were among the pioneering seven Potawatomi families to relocate to a new reservation. This new home was in what is present-day Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma. The journey to Indian Territory was arduous, undertaken in 14 covered wagons, symbolizing the hope and resilience of these families. Upon their arrival, Peter and Julia established their farm, and together they welcomed seven children into the world. However, tragedy struck again when Julia died during the birth of their youngest child. At just 11 years old, their oldest daughter, Isabel, bravely took on the responsibility of caring for her younger siblings, assisted by other family members. Despite this profound loss, Peter continued to work his family’s farm near present-day Choctaw, Oklahoma, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to his children and his land.
Lawlessness in Oklahoma Territory
The period leading up to Oklahoma’s statehood was a particularly volatile and dangerous time. The vast, untamed expanses of Oklahoma served as a refuge for numerous legendary fugitives, turning the territory into a hotbed of criminal activity. Cattle thefts, daring bank robberies, and brutal murders were regrettably common occurrences, challenging the nascent structures of law and order. Against this backdrop of rampant lawlessness, figures like John Bly emerged, a man described by The Evening Gazette as “being a crack shot. He’s powerfully built with a clear, cold, deliberate eye which tells of the dogged determination that slumbers in his soul.” Bly and his associates were notorious for harassing settlers and cattlemen alike, their illicit activities continuing unchecked for many years, highlighting the urgent need for brave individuals to uphold the law.
The Fateful Christmas Day of 1890
On Christmas Day, December 25, 1890, Oklahoma County Deputy Sheriffs Frank Gault and Charles Gilbert embarked on a perilous mission. They held arrest warrants for John Bly, a Pottawatomie County resident accused of cattle theft and illicit whiskey sales. Recognizing the dangers inherent in apprehending a man of Bly’s reputation, the two officers sought local assistance upon arriving in neighboring Pottawatomie County. They deputized Peter Anderson, a respected local resident living near Choctaw, and another man named Frank Cook, also from the area, to join their posse. As the deputies cautiously approached Bly’s ranch, located approximately seven miles east of Choctaw, the ominous sounds of gunfire echoed across the land. Dismounting, they attempted to sneak through the tall grass, hoping to gain an advantage. However, their efforts were not discreet enough. Suddenly, John Bly opened fire, his first shot striking Peter Anderson directly in the head, killing him instantly. The remaining officers courageously returned fire, wounding Bly, who subsequently surrendered. He was arrested and transported to jail in Oklahoma City. The following day, Sheriff C.H. Deferd and Deputy Gault returned to the scene, apprehending Bly’s brother, Givens Bly, and his brother-in-law, Dick Burchfield, as accomplices in this bloody Christmas Day crime.
A Community Mourns: The Aftermath and Tributes
The death of Peter Anderson sent shockwaves through the nascent community and the wider Oklahoma Territory. A local newspaper captured the profound grief with a poignant reflection: “Yesterday afternoon, while the chimes of a merry Christmas were still ringing in the ears of the children of this world, another bloody crime was recorded on Oklahoma’s sanguinary calendar. Another man was killed, and today seven little children in his home mourn for him and refuse to be comforted.” This quote underscores the immense personal tragedy and the collective sorrow felt for the fallen deputy and his orphaned children. After his arrest, John Bly was temporarily taken to Kansas before being transferred to the federal prison in Guthrie, Oklahoma, to await trial. However, justice in his case was never fully realized, as Bly succumbed to tuberculosis in prison before his trial could commence.
In the aftermath of Peter Anderson’s death, his children were sent to live at the Sacred Heart Mission, a common practice for orphaned children in that era. The exact location of his final resting place remains unknown, though it is widely believed to be in Elmwood Cemetery, on land once owned by his friend and fellow posse member, Frank Cook. Many years later, the sacrifice of Peter Anderson was formally recognized when he was honored on the Oklahoma Law Enforcement Memorial. This memorial, situated on the west grounds of the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety headquarters in Oklahoma City, stands as a testament to those who gave their lives in service. His character was further extolled by The Evening Gazette, which noted: “Pete Anderson, the man killed, is well known in this city by a great many of the businessmen who speak the highest terms of him. He was a man of considerable means and well known all over the Potawatomi country.” These tributes paint a picture of a respected, successful, and deeply missed community member.
Conclusion: The Enduring Legacy of Peter Anderson
The story of Peter Anderson is more than just an account of a frontier tragedy; it is a vital chapter in the history of Oklahoma’s development and the struggles faced by those who sought to bring law to a lawless land. As a Potawatomi deputy, he bravely stepped forward to confront the dangers of the Oklahoma Territory, ultimately making the supreme sacrifice. His life, marked by tribal displacement, personal loss, and unwavering commitment to his family and community, culminated in a courageous act of public service. While the details of his grave remain a mystery, his legacy as a courageous lawman and a respected member of the Potawatomi Nation lives on. Peter Anderson’s name on the Oklahoma Law Enforcement Memorial ensures that his sacrifice, and the challenges faced by early law enforcement in shaping the American West, will never be forgotten.
